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VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader. It allows students to hear what is on the screen without seeing it.
When a student touches the screen, VoiceOver reads what is under the student's finger. VoiceOver can even be connected to a Braille display.
VoiceOver can support students to:
increase focus and attention
build independence
improve literacy skills
To turn on and off VoiceOver on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Tap "VoiceOver".
Tap the circle to toggle on "VoiceOver".
Touch an item on the screen to have the iPad read the selected item aloud. A black box will appear around the selected item.
Use the menu items to customize how VoiceOver sounds, the speed of the voice and to change other settings.
Swipe up with three fingers to see more items in the menu. Swipe down with three fingers to see the previous items in the menu.
Use one finger to tap once on an item to select the item.
Tap the selected item twice with one finger (double tap) to turn on, off or open the selected item.
Swipe one finger to the right to move to the next item on the page or swipe one finger to the left to move to the previous item on the page.
To turn off VoiceOver, return to the VoiceOver settings using the single tap and double tap gestures to select and go back to "VoiceOver".
Tap "VoiceOver" once with one finger to select the item. Then, double tap to toggle off VoiceOver.
To learn how to use VoiceOver on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Tap "VoiceOver".
Tap "VoiceOver Tutorial" to get started with learning how VoiceOver works and to practice some important gestures.
Select "Turn on VoiceOver" or "Start without VoiceOver" to choose how you would like to use the tutorial. If "Turn on VoiceOver" is selected, during the tutorial, VoiceOver gestures will need to be used to select items and to move throughout the tutorial. If "Start without VoiceOver" is chosen, the iPad can be used with simple touch.
Complete the tutorial by following the voice or onscreen instructions.
Once the tutorial is complete, return to the VoiceOver settings under the Accessibility tab in the Settings app. If VoiceOver is turned on, select "VoiceOver Practice" to continue to practice the gestures learned in the VoiceOver Tutorial. If VoiceOver is turned off, toggle on VoiceOver by touching the circle, then select "VoiceOver Practice".
When finished practicing gestures, tap "Done" once to highlight the word, then double tap to return to the VoiceOver settings.
To add VoiceOver to the Control Center while VoiceOver is turned off on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
Touch and hold anywhere below the Control Center icons.
Tap "+ Add a Control".
Touch the Search bar to open up the Keyboard to type "VoiceOver".
Tap the "VoiceOver" icon to add it to the Control Center.
Tap anywhere on the screen to finish editing the Control Center.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to enter the Control Center. Tap the "VoiceOver" icon to turn it on or off. When the icon is highlighted in white and a voice is speaking, VoiceOver is turned on, when the icon is not highlighted and there is no voice speaking, VoiceOver is turned off.
Tap anywhere on the screen to exit the Control Center. If the VoiceOver icon was highlighted in white when exiting the Control Center, a voice will be speaking and VoiceOver gestures will need to be used to navigate the iPad until VoiceOver is turned off.
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
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With VoiceOver, students in the TDSB can:
edit and revise written work. Students can turn on VoiceOver and listen to their writing read out loud to check for mistakes.
describe images and graphs in Science or Math class. Access visual information presented in class, such as images, graphs, and diagrams.
navigate websites and apps. VoiceOver describes buttons, links, and other elements on the screen so students can understand and interact with digital content.
understand instructions and prompts. VoiceOver reads directions in educational apps or on websites out loud.
identify screen elements. Learn the elements on the screen, such as buttons and icons, images, and the screen layout using VoiceOver descriptions.
receive auditory feedback. VoiceOver gives auditory feedback, such as a click noise, when a student taps on the keyboard, helping students use the iPad independently.
Last Updated June 14, 2025
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