Accessible app review: Cards by Apple

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Wednesday, 21 December 2011 16:28pm

One of the great things about living in the digital age is the ease with which we can send an e-card to family and friends, on any occasion of the year. ‘Cards’ is an easy to use, accessible app that lets you easily create and send greeting cards.

The free-to-download app ‘Cards’ for the Apple iPhone and iPad, combines the e-card with the traditional card and is a great tool for sending customisable greetings to family and friends. You can digitally create the card using one of the holiday themed templates and then Apple will automatically print and post it, saving a trip to the post office.

As with all Apple apps, it works well with the built-in iPhone and iPad iOS accessibility features, including Apple’s built-in screen reader, Voice Over. If you are blind or vision impaired, it does a good job of electronically voicing what is on the screen, including what the front of the card will look like. The Cards app may also be useful for people who are mobility impaired as you can swipe through the card templates and insert personalised elements such as photos and messages.

The app separates the card into three parts, the outside, inside and envelope. Outside, personal photos stored on or taken with your iPhone or iPad can be inserted into the template. Voice Over also describes what the card looks like. Inside, personal messages can be typed. A return and recipient address can be inserted into the envelope part of the template. 

The customised card can then be saved and sent to multiple recipients. Delivery may take up to 9-16 business days.

Price: Free download through the App Store. Apple delivers your cards for $4.99 each.

Accessibility comments:

Works well for mobility impaired users as there is a minimal amount of ‘steps’ involved in creating the card.

Works with Apple Voice Over for people who are blind or vision impaired. For example, Voice Over describes the card template: “the text in the rectangle says ‘Happy Holidays, wishing you love and laughter’.”

Works with Apple’s ‘white on black’ accessibility feature.


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