While I have spent a lot of time talking about low vision and how my neurological condition influences how I use technology, I haven’t shared too many specifics about choosing new devices with Chiari Malformation and accessibility settings for Chiari Malformation that go beyond vision loss. Chiari malformations impact individuals in so many different ways, and I often have to research accessibility features and not-so-obvious tech specifications when I am getting ready to use a new device that focus on more than just visual accessibility. Here is a list of tips and strategies for choosing new devices with Chiari 1 Malformation, and accessibility features that can help users access technology independently and comfortably.
Choose portable electronics that fit in one hand
Chiari malformations can contribute to decreased hand strength and weakness, which can be present in one or both hands. To make it easier to use devices, I recommend choosing portable electronics like phones that can fit in a single hand and do not require both hands for positioning at all times. Some operating systems like iOS and Android also offer one-handed display options (enabled in Settings) that can make it even easier to use handheld devices.
Some people with Chiari malformations report difficulty with holding phones for long periods of time on a phone call, even if they can normally hold their phone with one hand. Examples of strategies that can make it easier to hold phones during a call include:
- Connecting phone call audio to earbuds or headphones that also have a microphone. This is especially helpful for people that also have trigeminal neuralgia, which can be triggered by pressing objects near the face.
- Holding the phone with a PopSocket or other grip, which can be attached to a phone case
- Placing the phone on a stand when using speakerphone, or choosing a phone case with a built-in stand (also helpful for reading captions)
When purchasing or choosing new devices with Chiari Malformation, review the tech specifications for details like the screen size, item weight, and battery life to determine if this will be something the user can realistically hold for a reasonable period of time, or if a smaller/lighter device would be more appropriate.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Smartphones
- How I Use My eReader For School and Online Classes
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
Identify alternative input methods for devices
Chiari Malformation symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day or across multiple days/weeks/months, so it is helpful to have multiple options for interacting with a device. Alternative input methods are a category of assistive technology that empower users to access devices in multiple ways, ensuring they can access the information they need and communicate in a way that works for them, instead of dealing with frustrating technologies that don’t work for them. Some alternative input methods for devices that can help people with Chiari malformations include:
- Using dictation instead of typing on a keyboard
- Enabling voice assistants or voice control to interact with a device without looking at a screen
- Creating a gesture-based interface for a phone Home Screen that reduces repetitive movements with swiping through menus, looking for icons, etc.
- Using a stylus on touch screens
- Typing requests to voice assistants when speaking is difficult
- Connecting an external keyboard
- Using a keyboard shortcut to open applications instead of clicking on an icon
I have a few posts on my site that include custom alternative input methods I use on my own devices, such as a gesture-based Android Home Screen and keyboard shortcuts for Windows.
Related links
- How To Create A Custom Android Home Screen With Microsoft Launcher
- How To Organize Apps On iPad With Low Vision
- How To Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows
- How To Use Dictation As Assistive Technology With Mainstream Devices
- Assistive Technology For Dysgraphia
Minimize bright lights and flashing lights on devices
Many people with Chiari Malformation experience photophobia (sensitive to bright lights) and/or photosensitivity (in this context, sensitive to strobe and/or flashing lights). This can be situational due to a pain flare/migraine aura, or something that people experience throughout the day.
When choosing new devices with Chiari Malformation, I strongly recommend checking the start-up animation to ensure that it does not have an uncomfortable or triggering flashing effect— especially since devices can suddenly restart without warning. Beyond that, examples of strategies for minimizing bright and flashing lights include:
- Display filters
- Turn off animations
- Disable auto-play
- Turn off stickers or reaction filters
- Turn off flashing notifications
One of my friends with Chiari Malformation uses a tinted screen protector for their phone to help with sensitivity to bright lights, but I have not personally done this as I already wear non-polarized tinted glasses.
Related links
- Smartphone Accessibility Settings For Photosensitivity
- Avoiding Flashing Lights On Social Media
- How Tinted Glasses Help My Light Sensitivity
- Ten Ways To Reduce Eye Strain From Screens With Technology
Explore accessibility settings to make devices easier to use
There are so many cool accessibility settings for Chiari Malformations that are built-into mainstream devices and can help make them easier or less fatiguing to use. Some examples that come to mind include:
- Larger font sizes
- High contrast display options, e.g. invert colors
- Text-to-speech or speak text for reading information
- Large cursors or pointers
- One-handed mode/Reachability
- Sound notifications for environmental sounds (e.g. doorbell)
Another built-in accessibility setting available in several web browsers and other applications is the simplified reading display, also known as reading view, immersive reader, or reading tools. This applies a consistent font size, style, and background color to web text so that it is easier for someone to read, and many tools also incorporate text-to-speech (read aloud) as well.
Related links
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- Customize Accessibility Settings For Specific Apps
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Windows 10 and 11
- iPhone Accessibility Settings For Occipital Stroke
- Simplified Reading Displays and Low Vision
Storing devices and carrying items with Chiari Malformation
I didn’t realize how much things like device size and weight influenced how I choose new devices with Chiari Malformation until I had to carry my assigned 15-inch laptop around a tech internship. The device was too heavy for me to carry under my arm and I couldn’t safely carry it with two hands, so I either had to bring my backpack everywhere or ask someone to carry my laptop. Besides checking the weight of a device before purchasing it, other helpful strategies for storing devices and carrying items with Chiari Malformation include:
- Choosing a backpack with padded straps that can accommodate devices I use every day
- When choosing a phone case, make sure the case can protect the device from drops, especially small drops to the floor in case of hand weakness or spasms
- Consider a rolling backpack for carrying multiple items
- Keep items in a consistent location
- If possible, choose items in high contrast colors that “pop” against common surfaces so they are easier to locate
- Use a screen protector to minimize damage to device
Instead of carrying a purse that puts a lot of weight on my shoulder, I prefer to carry essential items in a smaller crossbody bag, which has a high contrast lining and less visual clutter so I can easily locate items inside, or identify if an item is missing.
Related links
- Choosing A Backpack With Chronic Pain
- How To Organize and Identify Cords For Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
- High Contrast and Low Vision
Check out peripheral devices/external accessories to make devices even better
Peripheral devices like headphones, external keyboards, cameras, monitors, speakers, and more can make using devices with Chiari Malformation even easier! Some solutions to consider include:
- External keyboard that can be more comfortable to type on compared to a screen or default keyboard
- Comfortable headphones that don’t put too much weight on the head
- Stand case/folio case for tablets to create an adjustable viewing angle and allow for hands-free use
- Cast or AirPlay for mirroring portable devices to larger screens
- Connecting devices to smart speakers for making phone calls without holding a device
- Microphones that can make audio clearer, especially if the device isn’t close to the user’s face
- Slanted display for positioning electronics
The most helpful external accessory I have used for my own devices is an external keyboard, which makes it much easier to type comfortably and accurately compared to the keyboard that came with my computer or a built-in laptop keyboard.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- How I Use Google Chromecast With Low Vision
- Learning To Type With Low Vision
More tips for choosing devices with Chiari Malformation
- Want to learn more about designing for Chiari Malformation? I presented at a conference about this exact topic! Why Everyone Should Design For Chiari Malformation: My Talk At ID24 2020
- Interested in learning more about Chiari Malformation? I share more about my own experiences in How I Explain My Brain With Chiari Malformation
- Configuring a workspace for Chiari Malformation? Read How To Create Accessible Workspaces For Chiari Malformation
Published September 1, 2020. Updated January 2025