Alternative access methods
I've recently tried multiple methods to access my iPad (and sometimes my phone) that cost less energy. (Comparison under the cut)
Problems that I face:
I have to move my arm a lot if I want to interact with my iPad
It's too bright and I sometimes can't see too well or seeing is exhausting
Stuff that I've tried (I've really only tried it for a little bit, so take it with a grain of salt):
Screenreader (Talkback and voice over):
Speed: okay
Control: multiple fingers, oftentimes big/ complicated gestures, you need to reach the whole screen. You can change gestures to meet your needs. Alternative: keyboard/ braille keyboard (haven't tried, sounds good though)
What it can make easier: using a device without looking. You can even make the display go black when using it though the black is still black with light, sadly.
Assistive Touch:
Speed: okay
Control: for example a little space on your device that you define as a trackpad. You can also use a normal controller/ joystick (that's what I do); you need the joystick, but not necessarily the buttons.
What it can make easier: controlling your device with very little movement. You can do most stuff by imitating touch gestures with a controller (a bit complicated and requires more coordination than switch control). You can't use voice over with this (as far as I've tried) so you still have to look at the screen.
Switch control:
Speed: slow af
control: from tapping on the back of your device or one or multiple buttons (there are buttons that can sense the smallest motion) to eyegaze or sounds you can basically use anything. I use multiple buttons on my controller. There is an option for speech output.
what it can make easier: basically any motor issue and complex disability. Though in my experience it bugs a lot and even more with speech output (some of these are probably also me being confused, but some are definitely bugs). This and the slow speed might make it frustrating to use. But it's also the most accessibel method I've encountered.
