Apple Unveils a Suite of New Accessibility Features
Apple unveiled a significant expansion of its accessibility features, set to roll out later this year across its ecosystem. The announcement highlights Apple’s ongoing commitment to making technology accessible to everyone, incorporating innovative updates and entirely new tools for users with a wide range of disabilities.
Accessibility Nutrition Labels Come to the App Store
Leading the charge is the introduction of Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store. This new section on app product pages will provide detailed information about the accessibility features supported within each app and game, such as VoiceOver compatibility, Voice Control support, Larger Text options, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion settings, and caption availability. This initiative aims to empower users to make informed decisions before downloading, while also encouraging developers to highlight their accessibility efforts.
An All-New Magnifier for Mac
For users who are blind or have low vision, Apple is bringing the popular Magnifier app from iPhone and iPad to Mac. Utilising the Mac’s camera, including Continuity Camera with iPhone and connected USB cameras, Magnifier will allow users to zoom in on their physical surroundings, read documents using Desk View, and even multitask with multiple live session windows. Customisable views for brightness, contrast, colour filters, and perspective will further enhance usability. Magnifier for Mac also integrates with another new feature, Accessibility Reader, which can transform text from the physical world into a customisable digital format.
A New Braille Experience
A groundbreaking addition is Braille Access, a system-wide experience turning iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro into a comprehensive braille note-taking device. Featuring a built-in app launcher accessible via Braille Screen Input or connected Braille devices, users can take notes, perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, and open Braille Ready Format (BRF) files. Integrated Live Captions will also transcribe conversations in real-time on braille displays.
Introducing Accessibility Reader
Accessibility Reader itself is a new system-wide reading mode designed for users with dyslexia or low vision. Available across Apple devices, it offers extensive customisation options for font, colour, and spacing, along with Spoken Content support. It can be launched from any app and is integrated into the Magnifier app for interacting with real-world text.
Live Captions Arrive on Apple Watch
Live Captions are expanding to Apple Watch, providing real-time transcriptions of audio streamed via Live Listen from an iPhone. Apple Watch will also serve as a remote control for Live Listen sessions.
An Enhanced View with Apple Vision Pro
For Apple Vision Pro users who are blind or have low vision, visionOS will see significant enhancements to vision accessibility features leveraging the device’s advanced camera system. Updates to Zoom will allow magnification of everything in view, including surroundings. Live Recognition in visionOS will use on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, identify objects, and read documents for VoiceOver users. A new API will also enable approved third-party apps to access the main camera for live, person-to-person visual assistance.
Additional Updates
Additional updates across the Apple ecosystem include:
- Background Sounds: More personalisation options including EQ settings, automatic stop timers, and new Shortcuts actions.
- Personal Voice: Faster and more powerful voice creation with support for Spanish (Mexico).
- Vehicle Motion Cues: Coming to Mac with new customisation options on other devices.
- Eye Tracking and Switch Control: Enhanced control options on iPhone and iPad.
- Head Tracking: Easier control of iPhone and iPad with head movements.
- Switch Control: Support for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) on iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS.
- Assistive Access: New custom Apple TV app and API for developers.
- Music Haptics: More customisable options on iPhone.
- Sound Recognition: New Name Recognition feature.
- Voice Control: New programming mode in Xcode and expanded language support.
- Live Captions: Expanded language support.
- CarPlay: Large Text support and Sound Recognition for baby crying.
- Share Accessibility Settings: Quick and temporary sharing of accessibility preferences.
Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day
In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple Retail will feature dedicated tables highlighting accessibility features in select stores throughout May. The company is also showcasing accessibility-focused content across its services, including Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, Apple TV+, Apple Podcasts, and the App Store.
These new accessibility features are expected to be available later this year.
