Apple unveils major accessibility updates across its platforms
Apple has announced a range of new accessibility features set to be released later in the year across its platforms.
The new features include Accessibility Nutrition Labels for the App Store, a Magnifier app for Mac, Braille Access on multiple Apple devices and an Accessibility Reader to enhance usability for those with disabilities including dyslexia and low vision.
Widespread updates are also planned for Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues and more across the Apple ecosystem.
Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer at Apple, said, "At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA. Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we're proud of the innovations we're sharing this year."
"That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them and do what they love."
Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives at Apple, added, "Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products. Powered by the Apple ecosystem, these features work seamlessly together to bring users new ways to engage with the things they care about most."
Accessibility Nutrition Labels will appear on App Store product pages worldwide, giving users details on accessibility features within apps and games before download.
These sections will cover VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions and other features. Developers will receive guidelines about displaying relevant accessibility information on their app listings.
Eric Bridges, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for the Blind, commented, "Accessibility Nutrition Labels are a huge step forward for accessibility. Consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start, and Apple has a long-standing history of delivering tools and technologies that allow developers to build experiences for everyone."
"These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence."
The Magnifier app, previously available on iPhone and iPad, is coming to Mac. It connects to the user's camera so they can zoom in on surroundings, such as a screen or whiteboard, and allows multitasking with several live session windows. The Magnifier supports Continuity Camera and works with both USB and iPhone cameras.
Users can adjust visual settings, capture and save multiple views, and integrate with Accessibility Reader, which converts physical text into a customisable, legible format.
Braille Access will turn iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro into full-featured braille note-taking devices.
The tool integrates with the Apple ecosystem and supports app launching using Braille Screen Input or compatible devices. Users can take notes, perform calculations with Nemeth Braille, and open Braille Ready Format files. Live Captions functionality will allow real-time transcription for braille displays.
Accessibility Reader will offer a systemwide reading mode, making text adjustable on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro.
It gives users control over font, colour, spacing and offers support for spoken content. Accessibility Reader can be launched from any app and is built into Magnifier for enhanced reading of physical and digital text.
Live Listen updates will include Apple Watch support, allowing users who are deaf or hard of hearing to view Live Captions on their watch while an audio session is underway.
The Watch will also serve as a remote control for Live Listen sessions with support for AirPods and other Made for iPhone hearing aids, as well as integration with existing hearing health features such as the Hearing Aid function on AirPods Pro 2.
Other updates include improved personalisation of Background Sounds with new EQ settings and automation, a faster implementation of Personal Voice enabling users to create their synthetic voice using just 10 recorded phrases in under a minute, and expanded language support for this feature including Spanish (Mexico). Vehicle Motion Cues will now be available on Mac and provide enhanced customisation to reduce motion sickness.
Eye Tracking and Switch Control on iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro will receive upgrades to support additional input methods and faster keyboard use.
Head Tracking will allow users to control devices with head movement. Switch Control will add support for Brain Computer Interfaces, allowing device control without physical actions.
Assistive Access will introduce a streamlined Apple TV app and allow developers to create more tailored experiences for users with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Music Haptics will be more customisable and support for Sound Recognition will be extended with Name Recognition for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Voice Control enhancements will include a new programming mode in Xcode for developers with limited mobility, vocabulary syncing across devices and expanded language support. Live Captions will now include more regional language variants such as English (India, Australia, UK, Singapore), Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Spanish, French, Japanese, German and Korean.
CarPlay updates will bring Large Text support and enhanced sound notifications for drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Other new features allow users to temporarily share accessibility settings across devices, a new shortcut to help retain information and expanded video resources to guide personalisation of Apple products with accessibility features.
Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, Apple TV+, Apple Books and Apple Podcasts will feature stories, playlists and content to coincide with Global Accessibility Awareness Day. The App Store will highlight accessible apps and feature the story of Klemens Strasser, a developer committed to building accessible experiences.
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