Since the iPad Pro was introduced last fall, it has been called many things: "a killer creative canvas," "a really good alternative to a PC," and "a Microsoft Surface killer," just to name a few. While Apple may have expected reviews like these for its first iPad designed specifically for the enterprise, it may not have expected the 12.9-inch tablet to also be called "the most accessible computer Apple has ever built."
That phrase comes from Tech Crunch author Steven Aquino, a writer who says his visual impairment makes it incredibly difficult to see a laptop screen properly.
"I need to get as close as possible in order to see comfortably, and a laptop's screen makes that difficult," he writes. "I have to lean in to see, almost the point where my nose is touching the display." Aquino describes a frustration that many with visual impairments have surely felt as they struggle to maximize their productivity on a screen that is inherently difficult to see.
That all changed when he started using Apple's super-sized tablet. "The iPad, particularly the 12.9-inch Pro, offers a vastly different experience," he wrote. "It's roughly the size of the 12-inch Retina MacBook, but the tablet's form factor and interaction model make it so much better for accessibility."
In addition to being able to hold the display as close as he needs to, Aquino also notes that having text and buttons easier to locate and distinguish on the larger screen reduce the amount of strain on his eyes even after periods of heavy use. The best part? All of these benefits are packed into an operating system he is already familiar with, avoiding the need to sacrifice productivity for visibility.
Accessibility for all
Aquino's endorsement came not long after Apple released a short film featuring Dillan Barmache, an autistic, non-verbal teen who uses iOS devices to help him in his daily life. For example, Dillan uses apps on his iPad to type his thoughts and turn them into speech, enabling him to communicate with those around him. While the video speaks to a different set of challenges than those Aquino faces, they nonetheless highlight just how flexible the iPad can be in appealing to users with all sorts of needs.
This versatility is perhaps the iPad's biggest advantage, because as Aquino points out, people who rely on accessibility features have a wide range of needs. It is the iPad's ability to make room to serve all of those specific needs at once, as well as those of the everyday user, that shows just how well-designed it is.
At MC Services, our experienced IT consultants can help outfit your workforce with the Apple devices they need to get their work done smarter. Whether that means optimizing your iOS management program for employees who bring their own devices, or rolling out an iPad deployment across your company, we can help you get the job done. To learn more, contact us today.
