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Making Xperia accessible to all
Assisting the senses
Our goal is to deliver accessible products that enable everyone to communicate freely, whatever their individual needs. We focus on three areas of accessibility: Vision Assist – making content easier to see or converting it to sound; Hearing Assist – making content easier to hear or converting it to text; and Action Assist – making it easier to operate your Xperia device.
Our work to improve accessibility
Since 2021, we have started implementing improvements in some applications by Software and User Interface members through dialogue from Sony/Taiyo users. For instance, with TalkBack (operation guidance by voice) and Graphical User Interface visibility quality improvements, we found strong needs through this conversation. This kind of action will improve the usability not only for people with disabilities but also many other people. We are also accelerating the despatch of information on accessibility.
Accessibility for all, whatever your needs
To ensure our products and services can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, we ask those with accessibility issues to help us create them. During the planning and development process, we conduct interviews and usability tests with people with disabilities, and their input and feedback are then reflected in the finished products.
Our activity to improve accessibility
From 2021, we have started implementing improvements in some applications by Software and UI members with dialogue from Sony/Taiyo users. For instance, with TalkBack (operation guidance by voice) and GUI visibility quality improvements, we found strong needs via this conversation. This kind of action will improve the usability of not only people with disabilities but also many other people.
Voice of customer cycle/inclusive design launch
We are proceeding with product improvement in such a process.
[1] Cooperation with related organisations (Sony/Taiyo and others)
[2] Review
[3] Implementation in products
About Sony/Taiyo
In 1978, Sony/Taiyo was established by Masaru Ibuka, one of the founders of Sony, who endorsed the operation of the social welfare corporation Sony/Taiyo, which supports the social participation of people with disabilities.
Sony/Taiyo is a special subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, where employees with various disabilities play an active role in various departments by making the most of their individuality and abilities.
Display in a way that suits you
If you find it difficult to see text or images on the screen, you can make it smaller or larger on the website when needed. Display size and text will let you adjust colors on your device and even bold text to improve readability. 1
Change the colors
If you’re color-blind or have trouble reading text on a screen, you can apply a Color correction mode that will change adjust how colors are displayed on your device and make it easier to see and read. 2
Hear what’s on screen
Switch on TalkBack and your Xperia can give you spoken feedback, reading aloud text on screen and guiding your touches if you have difficulty seeing the screen.
Talk by text
Live Transcribe lets you participate in conversations around you more easily. It shows speech as text on your screen, alerts you when your name is spoken, and lets you type responses on screen while viewing the transcription.
Be aware of important sounds
Switch on Sound Notifications and your phone will alert you to important noises in your home, for example when a smoke alarm beeps, a doorbell rings or a baby cries.
One-handed mode
Today’s larger smartphones can be tricky to operate using one hand. One-handed mode solves this problem by moving the screen down so you can easily access the upper area that’s difficult for your thumb to reach.
Control with ease
The Accessibility Menu provides a large, icon-based, on-screen menu making it easier to lock your device, control volume and brightness, take screenshots, and more.
Handle calls with simple movements
When you receive a call, you can accept, reject or silence it without even touching or looking at the screen. You can answer incoming calls by bringing your device up to your ear, reject calls by shaking the device, or turn the ringer off by placing the device face down. Enable Smart Call Handling in your Gesture settings now, and make your device easier to operate than ever.
Meet your new Google Assistant
To make it easier to keep in touch with loved ones, manage daily tasks and access your phones features, you can use the Google Assistant. After setting, you can start contacting family and friends, managing errands, researching things, operating your smartphone, and more just by saying "OK Google".3
Hear what’s on screen
Switch on TalkBack and your Xperia can give you spoken feedback, reading aloud text on screen and guiding your touches if you have difficulty seeing the screen.
Talk by text
Live Transcribe lets you participate in conversations around you more easily. It shows speech as text on your screen, alerts you when your name is spoken, and lets you type responses on screen while viewing the transcription.
Display in a way that suits you
If you find it difficult to see text or images on the screen, you can make it smaller or larger on the website when needed. Display size and text will let you adjust colors on your device and even bold text to improve readability.1
Change the colors
If you’re color-blind or have trouble reading text on a screen, you can apply a Color correction mode that will change adjust how colors are displayed on your device and make it easier to see and read. 2
Be aware of important sounds
Switch on Sound Notifications and your phone will alert you to important noises in your home, for example when a smoke alarm beeps, a doorbell rings or a baby cries.
Meet your new Google Assistant
To make it easier to keep in touch with loved ones, manage daily tasks and access your phones features, you can use the Google Assistant. After setting, you can start contacting family and friends, managing errands, researching things, operating your smartphone, and more just by saying "OK Google".3
Control with ease
The Accessibility Menu provides a large, icon-based, on-screen menu making it easier to lock your device, control volume and brightness, take screenshots, and more.
One-handed mode
Today’s larger smartphones can be tricky to operate using one hand. One-handed mode solves this problem by moving the screen down so you can easily access the upper area that’s difficult for your thumb to reach.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Advanced features > One-handed mode.4
How to use One-handed mode
To activate One-handed mode, Android™ 12 users have two options: for 3-button navigation [A], double tap the home button; for gesture navigation [B], swipe down the home bar.
If you’re using Android 11 or earlier, just double tap the home button.
To return to regular mode, simply tap the space at the top of the screen.5 4
Handle calls with simple movements
When you receive a call, you can accept, reject or silence it without even touching or looking at the screen. You can answer incoming calls by bringing your device up to your ear, reject calls by shaking the device, or turn the ringer off by placing the device face down. Enable Smart Call Handling in your Gesture settings now, and make your device easier to operate than ever.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > System > Gestures > Smart call handling.
Check us on GARI
The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) database is a reference guide for mobile phone and tablet users living with impaired hearing, vision, dexterity, or other special needs. It provides a quick and easy comparison of accessibility features on phones, including all Xperia devices.
Android accessibility
Designed to be even more accessible with new visibility features, Android helps you see and scroll through your favorite content effortlessly.6
Assistive Technology on Xperia
Our smartphones include visual, hearing and mobility accessible technology.6
