Cognitive disabilities

There are a variety of ways that information is processed from one person to another. Devices come with many different helpful features to assist those with cognitive or thought-processing issues including Alzheimer's disease and short and long-term memory loss.

Below are helpful links for customers with cognitive-related challenges on the Apple iOS Accessibility Support Website:

Accessibility Shortcut - Turn accessibility features on or off with Siri, triple-clicking the side or home button, or using the Control Center.

AssistiveTouch - Use with or without a compatible adaptive accessory (such as a joystick) to perform actions that are difficult for you and to control your iPhone.

Closed Captions - Provides subtitles and transcriptions to assist in following along more easily with audio and video.

Dictation - Use to dictate text anywhere instead of or in addition to typing it.

Display and text size - Customize your display colors, text size and font to suit your preference and needs. 

Facetime - Video chat and stay connected with friends and family, whether they’re using an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or a Mac.

Focus -  Reduce distractions and set boundaries by temporarily silencing all notifications, or allowing only specific notifications.

Guided Access - Stay focused on a task by temporarily restricting your iPhone to a single app and allowing you to control which app features are available.

LED Flash Alerts -  Set the LED light (next to the camera lens on the back of the iPhone) to flash to announce incoming calls and other alerts.

Live Captions - Convert spoken dialogue or live conversation into text and display it in real time on your device. 

Magnifier - Use the iOS device as a magnifying glass to zoom in on objects near you.

Motion - Stop or reduce motion for message effects and auto-play video previews. Helpful for users with sensitivity to motion effects or screen movement.

Mono Audio -Turn on to combine the left and right channels to play the same content.

Siri - Use this iOS personal assistant to open apps and turn many settings on or off. 

Sound Recognition - Set your device to listen for certain sounds—such as a crying baby, doorbell, smoke alarm or siren—and notify you when it recognizes these sounds.

Switch Control - Use the screen, camera, microphone, or the back of the iPhone to select, tap, drag, type, select an item or location on the screen, or choose an action.

Touch Accommodations - Adjust how the touchscreen responds to a tap, swipe, touch-and-hold gestures, or recognize faster or slower touches and ignore multiple touches.

Voice Control - Use your voice to direct the phone to perform gestures, interact with screen elements, dictate and edit text, and more.

VoiceOver - Adjust the speaking rate and pitch to suit your needs to get audible descriptions of what’s on your screen—from battery level, to who’s calling, to which app your finger is on.

Zoom - Magnify the entire screen (Full-Screen Zoom) or magnify only part of the screen with a resizable lens no matter what you’re doing. 

Below are helpful links for customers with cognitive-related challenges on the Android Accessibility Support Website:

Accessibility Shortcut - Turn on accessibility apps or switch between apps by using shortcuts that you set to use.

Android Accessibility Suite - Customize your device with common accessibility settings and apps.

Action Blocks - Simplify your home screen by adding common actions with a name or an image.

Bixby (Samsung) - Configure your device to perform certain actions and work with your favorite apps and services to help you get more things done.

Gemini (Google app) - An AI assistant that can help with writing, brainstorming, and learning.

Live Caption -  Caption speech on your device for videos, podcasts, phone calls, video calls, and audio messages.

Live Transcribe  - Capture speech and sound and see them as text on your screen.

Lookout (app): Use AI-powered computer vision and your phone’s camera to identify nearby objects and get things done faster. 

Magnification  - Zoom in to see your texts and emails better.

Quick Settings - Add favorite accessibility features to a swipe-down menu for easier access.

Select to Speak -  Select items on your screen and hear them read or described aloud.

Reading Mode (app) -Customize the contrast, color, and font size of text without changes to the content. You can also use the read aloud feature to have the content read out for you.

Sound Notifications - Set your device to listen for certain sounds—such as a crying baby, doorbell, smoke alarm, or siren—and notify you when it recognizes these sounds.

Switch Access - Interact with the device using the screen, camera, microphone, or the back of the device instead of the touchscreen. Helpful if you have difficulty interacting directly with your device.

TalkBack - Allows users to interact with devices. It uses spoken word, vibration, and other audible feedback to inform what is on the screen and what can be done with it.

Text and Display - Change text and content motion settings to suit your needs.

Text-to-speech -Convert text input and play audio aloud.

Touch & hold delay - Adjusts the amount of time before your tap on the screen triggers an action.

Time to take action - Choose how long to show temporarily visible messages that require you to take action.

Voice Access - Control your device with spoken commands. Use your voice to open apps, navigate, and edit text hands-free.

Peripherals can significantly enhance the usability of the devices and technologies Verizon offers for individuals with disabilities and promote greater independence. There are many assistive devices such as hearing aids, mobility aids and adaptive tools in use today that can connect wirelessly to your Verizon mobile device through Bluetooth. They can also be connected through a USB cable (type-c for Android or lightning cable for iOS), HDMI cable or other wired connection. All of the latest laptops or tablets offered would be compatible with many of the assistive input devices as well.

Please visit our Resources and Support page for additional information on more examples of what is on the market today.

For more information on available assistive technology for your device, please visit:

• Apple (iOS)

• Android

Did you know Verizon offers interactive tutorials to troubleshoot simple device issues, learn essential tasks, and discover more about what your technology can do for you? Visit our main tutorials portal to learn more about your device or visit one of the manufacturers listed below.

         Apple (iOS) Device Tutorials                              Samsung Device Tutorials

           Google Device Tutorials                                     Motorola Device Tutorials

Verizon will provide bills or product and service brochures in alternate media formats to assist our existing customers upon request. The following alternate formats are available:

• Braille
• Large print format
• Audio CD
• MP3

Receiving your first bill in an alternate format may take 1 to 2 bill cycles. During this time, you will continue to receive your bill and remit slip in the standard format.

To request materials in alternate media formats:

For Verizon Mobile Customers
Verizon Wireless National Accessibility
Customer Service
Reach us at 888-262-1999
8:00 am to 7:00 pm EST, Monday - Saturday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, Sunday

For Verizon Home Customers
Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities:
Reach us at 800-974-6006 (Voice) /
508-251-5301 (TTY)
8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday

If you choose to install your Fios service yourself, we want to make sure you have all the tools at your disposal to ensure a successful installation.

We’ve created easy-to-read self-installation guides to help you self-install new Fios TV and Internet equipment. These guides can be downloaded via the following links:

• Self-install guide - Fios TV+ equipment (PDF)

• Self-install guide - Fios TV One equipment (PDF)

• Self-install guide - Fios TV/VMS 1100 and Internet (PDF)

You can also sign into the My Fios app to access the self-installation tool from your dashboard. This tool can help with both the installation and activation process. 

Verizon also offers a Fios TV channel lineup in large print format. 

View large-print Fios TV channel lineup (PDF)

Would you prefer to receive printed large print or braille copies of these materials?

Verizon can ship you a Fios TV channel line-up or printed versions of these guides in either large print or braille. To request a printed brochure, visit verizon.com/AccessibleMaterials. Please note that fulfillment of these materials may take up to 10 business days.

Text to Speech functionality is standard on most Fios TV set-top boxes. It can enhance accessibility for customers by providing an audible readout of on-screen text, such as menu and guide data. This feature can easily be enabled or disabled using your Fios remote.

Most Fios TV remote control models let you turn Closed Captioning on or off by pressing the cc button. Otherwise, you can always use the Media Guide to turn Closed Captioning on or off.

Descriptive Video Service (DVS) provides an audible narrative description of key visual elements to aid blind viewers.

Please visit the Resources & Support page for more detailed information on Text to Speech functionality, Closed Caption for Fios TV and Descriptive Video Service.

You can also sign into the My Fios app to access our troubleshooting guide, visit Fios Customer Support or call 800-974-6006 (Voice or TTY) 508-251-5301 (Videophone) 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday for help.

Visit Verizon support for more information on home and mobile support such as troubleshooting your device, managing your account, or to find out more about what other services Verizon offers.