Guide
How I use the Apple Pencil with low vision
How I use the Apple Pencil in the classroom, workplace and as a blogger.
I started using the Apple Pencil 2 with an 11-inch iPad Air a few years ago after one of my other friends told me how often they use the Apple Pencil with low vision accessibility settings. While I was excited about the options for low vision access, I was skeptical about whether or not I would be able to use the Apple Pencil with dysgraphia and made sure to check the return policy (as well as make sure that I was ordering an Apple Pencil that would be compatible with my iPad).
Long story short, I ended up loving my Apple Pencil, and I use it every day. Here is an updated list of ways that I use the Apple Pencil in college, in the classroom, in the workplace, and beyond as a graduate student with low vision and dysgraphia.
What makes Apple Pencil different from other styluses?
One of the main reasons why I was so hesitant to try the Apple Pencil was because I had tried other styluses with iPad before that I didn’t like at all— they felt too big/clunky in my hand, they were not convenient to store, or they were challenging to write with. Alternatively, I noticed that the tip of the styluses were often too big for me to use effectively, and I would end up accidentally selecting items or drawing lines in different places on my screen.
The Apple Pencil eliminates all of these issues, as the slim stylus can be attached via magnetic connector to the top of my iPad, and it also fits in my hand a lot more comfortably. This is super important for me as someone with fine motor issues, though some of the other students I’ve worked with prefer to add an additional grip to the end of the stylus to help with making it easier to grasp.
One important thing to note: the Apple Pencil is not compatible with iPhone, Android devices, or any device that isn’t an iPad. However, there are third-party cases available for iPhone and Android phones that offer an optional stylus.
Related links
- Assistive Technology For Dysgraphia
- Writing Aids For Low Vision: My Personal Superlatives
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
How to connect Apple Pencil to iPad
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) uses Bluetooth, and will automatically connect to the iPad as long as Bluetooth is turned on and airplane mode is turned off. There is no need to charge the Apple Pencil with a separate cable— it will charge with the iPad if it is attached to the magnetic connector next to the volume keys on the iPad. The first-generation Apple Pencil has a different way of charging, connecting into into the lightning port of the iPad device for 15-30 minutes.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Tablets
- How To Organize Apps On iPad With Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
How I use Apple Pencil with dysgraphia
I have dysgraphia, which is characterized by messy, distorted handwriting that can also be filled with spelling errors— I describe it personally as a disconnect between what my brain wants to write and what my hands actually write. That said, my handwriting is much neater when writing on an iPad with Apple Pencil compared to writing on paper with an actual pencil because of the following:
- The iPad has a slanted, adjustable display so I can write at a raised angle, compared to writing on a piece of paper on a flat table surface
- I can use pinch-to-zoom to write in a smaller area
- Digital ruler tools can help prevent me from writing outside of a specific area
- I can quickly erase/undo errors without having to cross something out or apply pressure to a page to erase it
- It is easier for me to adjust the backlight/brightness of the iPad to make things easier to see
- The adjustable display can be positioned under the bifocal in my glasses
When it comes to writing on an iPad using Apple Pencil with dysgraphia, I can either use the Markup tool or a similar application to write out handwritten text, or use the built-in free Scribble tool to convert my handwriting to typed text with a high level of accuracy— this is helpful for when I want to write something out by hand and display it in large print later on. I also find it much easier to write in cursive with Apple Pencil, though this does not work with Scribble.
Related links
- Assistive Technology For Dysgraphia
- How I Manage Dysgraphia In Online Classes
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
- How I Use Technology To Improve Handwriting
Taking tests and quizzes with Apple Pencil for school
I have an approved disability accommodation to receive tests and quizzes in digital formats, so that I can use pinch-to-zoom or enlarge the text on my own.
My online math professors required students to write out scratch work and write directly on exams and quizzes, so I would use the Apple Pencil to show my work for math and work through different steps of a problem. Something that helped me tremendously was having the option to change the ink color almost instantly when writing in Markup or Notability, so I could use color-coding to label exponents and variables (no more confusing X and Y).
To help with writing in a straight line and not having lines of math run into each other, I would use a digital ruler to draw lines between sections.
Related links
- How I Show Work For Math With Low Vision and Dysgraphia
- Adapting Math Sketches: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How I Use WebAssign With Low Vision
- How I Receive Accessible Quizzes and Tests in the Classroom
- Notability and Low Vision
- Math Test Accommodations For Low Vision
- Five Accessible Calculator Apps For Low Vision
Annotating pictures and documents with Apple Pencil
When I’m working on design mockups or labeling items in an image, I find it helpful to draw on top of images using Markup and Apple Pencil, which is much neater and faster than drawing with my finger. I’ve also used Apple Pencil to complete class assignments where I use color-coding to label sections, or when circling answers on a multiple choice assignment.
Another helpful way I’ve used Apple Pencil is for drawing on top of images to create audio narrated images using another application. I can also send an annotated image to someone and attach a detailed text description or audio message to draw attention to a specific area.
Related links
- Using The iPad Markup Tool With Low Vision
- How I Receive Accessible Quizzes and Tests in the Classroom
- Recognizing Images With Seeing AI
- Creating Audio Narrated Images For Low Vision
Using Apple Pencil for large print puzzles
I have an entire post about how to make puzzles like word searches and mazes accessible for low vision, and have noticed that many of the students/clients I’ve worked with find it easy to use the Apple Pencil to interact with their favorite games if using a traditional pen and paper is not an option. Instead of using a magnifying glass or other magnifying tool, digital puzzles provide an option for pinch-to-zoom or mirroring the screen to a larger display.
Related links
- How To Adapt Puzzle Games For Low Vision
- Accessible Puzzle Game Apps For Low Vision
- How I Use Google Chromecast With Low Vision
Apple Pencil for digital art
I’m still learning how to create awesome digital art like the masterpieces that my other friends with low vision design in Procreate, but I still use the Apple Pencil for editing images and creating digital collages. Since I’m still learning, my current favorite features of the Apple Pencil for digital art are the quick shortcuts to erase and undo errors, but I also use it for rearranging elements, drawing geometric shapes and straight lines, and shading in different areas with the help of pinch-to-zoom.
Related links
- Tips For Creating Art For Visually Impaired Friends
- No-Tech Solutions For Drawing Graphs With Low Vision And Dysgraphia
- How To Modify An Instrument Fingering Chart For Low Vision
Four ways I use Apple Pencil in four different environments
Wondering how I personally use Apple Pencil with low vision and dysgraphia? Here are four ways I have personally used Apple Pencil in four different contexts in the last four days:
Apple Pencil for writing/blogging
- Creating cutouts of images and rearranging elements for blog graphics
- Adding color-coded stickers to a calendar graphic
- Writing out an outline for a post— I found it easier in the moment to write by hand instead of type
- Providing feedback on screenshots from another blogger
Apple Pencil for online classes
- Outlining an assignment in a collaborative whiteboard application
- Drawing a mind map for an assignment
- Underlining and highlighting lines of text in a reading
- Using Apple Pencil to select buttons in an application
Apple Pencil for research projects (PhD student)
- Creating a mockup for a project
- Taking notes with one hand that can be converted to text with Scribble
- Filling out a form that requires handwritten elements and drawing
- Annotating screenshots with additional notes or color-coding elements.
Apple Pencil for “real world” tasks
- Signing my friend’s birthday card by writing on top of the scanned image. I also added a drawing and some emoji stickers!
- Modifying sheet music, including making dynamics bolder
- Documenting quick calculations for modifying a recipe that was sent as a screenshot
- Filling out medical forms that have narrow fields or areas to write in
Related links
- Emoji Accessibility and Low Vision
- How I Use Microsoft Whiteboard With Low Vision
- Highlighting Information With Low Vision
- How To Make Music Accessible With Microsoft PowerPoint
- Filling Out Medical Forms With Low Vision
More resources on how I use Apple Pencil with low vision
- Looking for ideas on how to customize Apple Pencil for low vision? Read Apple Pencil Customizations For Writing With Low Vision
- While I do like the Apple Pencil for short writing tasks, I prefer to type on a keyboard for assignments that require more than a few sentences of text. Learn more at Choosing An iPad Keyboard For Low Vision
- Want more resources on iPad accessibility for low vision? Check out How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
This post on using Apple Pencil with low vision is written by Veronica Lewis, M.Ed. and reposted with permission from Veronica With Four Eyes.
Published September 2021. Updated June 2025
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