Empowering Every Learner: How Accessibility Tools Helped H Find His Voice in Reading

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a powerful success story from our classroom this year that highlights the impact of Apple’s accessibility tools in supporting diverse learners.

At the start of the year, one of my students, H, was reading at 12 words per minute, well below the expected benchmark for his age. Traditional reading interventions had only taken him so far — he was trying hard but felt discouraged.

That’s when we began integrating Apple’s built-in accessibility features into his daily learning. Tools like Speak Selection, Speech Controller, and Reader View in Safari became part of his reading routine. He used Dictation for writing responses and Text to Speech to hear passages read aloud as he followed along visually.

Slowly, H began to engage with texts more confidently. The tools helped him focus on decoding patterns, improve fluency, and build comprehension. By the end of the year, he was reading at 144 words per minute — a truly incredible transformation!

This experience reminded me that accessibility isn’t just about supporting disabilities — it’s about empowering every learner to access content in a way that works best for them.

I’d love to hear from others: how are you using Apple accessibility tools to personalise learning in your classrooms?