iOS Access for All – Your comprehensive guide to accessibility for iPhone and iPad, by Shelly Brisbin

iOS Access for All Ending Publication

After 14 years and 12 editions, it is with a heavy heart that I must let you know that I will no longer publish new editions of my book, iOS Access for All.

The book has been a wonderful journey in so many ways, both for me as a writer, and because it offers itself as a unique reference for a truly outstanding suite of tools – Apple’s iOS software.

In 2012, I saw a large empty space in the world for a book that could offer a comprehensive guide to the accessibility features of Apple’s mobile operating systems. Other resources had begun to address how VoiceOver works, but the growing suite of tools for folks with low-vision, deafness or physical disabilities had no full-fledged guide. So I wrote one, included VoiceOver, too, and added many pages and chapters as Apple’s platform and software grew to meet the needs of more users.

And the response grew, too, from individuals who learned how to do more with their phones, to educators who shared my book in their classrooms, to other accessibility professionals who sought my ideas about these tools.

As a writer with a number of books under my belt by the time I conceived of iOS Access for All, the project was an opportunity to make something entirely the way I wanted to, without publishers imposing their limitations. Don’t get me wrong, I did approach publishers, but none saw the value in a book about accessibility on the iPhone. So I was happy to prove them wrong for so many years, while building the book as I saw fit.

I learned a lot about self-publishing, too. That includes the technical parts, and the ones I feel less skilled at, like promoting my own work to an audience that didn’t know me yet.

So why am I stopping? The simple answer is time. When I began this endeavor, I was an under-employed freelancer, looking for a way to write about accessibility, and sustain myself while doing it. Today, I’m a radio journalist with a busy schedule of podcasts and other projects. The time I spend on this book has to be squeezed in among the other things I’m doing, and it’s not fair to iOS Access for All readers, or practical for me.

I can’t tell you if stepping away from the book will be permanent. I still have a LOT to say about Apple accessibility, and I’m sure you’ll be able to hear and read some of those thoughts online. But the book is important because it’s still the most comprehensive resource out there about iOS accessibility. So I’m gonna leave the door ajar, just a little.

Thank you again to everyone who has ever purchased iOS Access for All or who has ever offered supportive feedback. Thank you to my friends who have helped me with editing, technical review, or occasional loaner hardware. Thank you to everyone who has invited me to talk about the book on a podcast, or reposted a link to a new edition.

The iOS 18 editions of the book will remain available. So if you would like to purchase one, use the Buy links on this site.

You can find me on Mastodon or Bluesky.

Shelly Brisbin

What Readers Say

I’ve heard from so many people who enjoy the book. Here are some examples:

As a Voiceover user, I learned a few things I didn’t know. As a special education consultant, working with students with learning disabilities, I found a wealth of resources for them that have helped me open doors for them.

Leo Bissonnette, Ph.D.

Great work on this book. Very useful…Highly recommended.

Dave Popeck

I read through the book, and refer to it often, both in my work with iOS students, and for my own personal use. Each chapter is complete yet concise, and the comprehensive appendices alone make this book a worthwhile investment.

Lisa Salinger

I highly recommend the purchase of this book.

Bill Holton
AccessWorld Magazine

iOS Access for All is a must read for anyone who is seriously interested in iOS accessibility.

Robert Carter
The Tech Doctor Podcas

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iOS 18 Edition Released

I’m pleased to announced that iOS Access for All (iOS 18 edition) is available now. As usual, there is more information than ever before. The book is fully updated for iOS 18 and the new iPhones and iPads that support it. There’s also a new book format available, for those who don’t need images.

iOS 18 marks some incremental, but welcome upgrades to accessibility features, and to iOS as a whole. It also brings Apple Inteligence to the latest generation of phones. It’s all included, along with coverage of a number of updates Apple has made to iOS since first releasing iOS 18 last fall.

All Words, No Pictures

I’m also adding a new format option that should be helpful to those using the Victor Reader Stream, or to anyone who is blind, and doesn’t really need images to benefit from the book. I’ve produced an ePub version of the book that contains no figures – with no graphics files as part of the package, the file size is reduced tremendously. I have left the figure captions in the book, so you can read about what the many screenshots show. To get this version, click the ePub: No Images button.

Time Keeps on Slippin’

I confess that it’s been a longer writing and publishing process this year than usual – a lot longer. A variety of events in my life made it necessary to focus on family and other priorities during the time I would typically be finishing this book. It’s not the way I wanted things to go, but it’s how they happened. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Get the Book!

Here are links to purchase the book from this site and from Apple’s Books Store. Buying directly from me allows me to use more of your money to put together future versions of the book. But buying from Apple is convenient and easy, so you’re welcome to do that if you prefer.

ePub Edition, with Images

ePub Edition, no Images

PDF Edition

ePub and PDF Combo

iOS 18 Edition Coming Soon

Apple released iOS 18 on September 16, and I’m working hard on a new version of iOS Access for All that covers the new features, particularly those that provide greater accessibility. I know that waiting for a new edition of the book may be tough for those who have already upgraded to iOS 18, so I’m making the same offer I do each fall – if you purchase iOS Access for All, the iOS 17 edition, from my Web site,, I’ll send you the iOS 18 edition when it’s published, absolutely free. No need to ask, or do anything else to get your iOS 18 update. I’ll email links to new books to everyone who purchases the iOS 17 edition after September 16.

You may also be wondering how I plan to handle Apple Intelligence, the new AI offering that’s expected to be part of iOS 18.1. There will be an update to the iOS 18 edition of the book that will include Apple Intelligence. Right now, I plan to cover a topic within the existing chapter, but I’ll sprinkle relevant content throughout the update book. I say – right now – because I want to be sure before I follow this course that what we get from the shipping version of Apple Intelligence is what we expect. If it isn’t, I might need a new plan. But however I need to cover the topic, there will be an update. And those who buy the iOS 18 edition of the book will get that update free when it’s released. If you’re receiving the free iOS 18 edition, because you bought the iOS 17 book, there will be a small fee for that update. I think this is the fairest way to make sure that folks whose devices are not Apple Intelligence-ready, get the same deal on the book they’ve always had, while still giving me the opportunity to be compensated for the time it takes to write up such a significant update.

When should I buy my copy of iOS Access for All?

If your iPhone or iPad supports iOS 18, but not Apple Intelligence, buy your book now from my site to get the free iOS 18 update. This affects anyone with a device prior to the iPhone 15 Pro or a non-Apple Silicon iPad. You can also wait for the iOS 18 edition, and get the book for the usual price, either here, or on Apple Books.

Or.

If you’re interested in Apple Intelligence, and have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or if your iPad has an M1 or newer chip, wait to buy the iOS 18 edition when it becomes available, either here or on Apple Books. You’ll get that book right away, plus the Apple Intelligence-friendly update, when that’s ready.