Apple today announced powerful software features designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities. As Apple believes accessibility is a human right and continues to deliver industry-leading features as a way to make Apple products unique and user-friendly for all users.
With this software updates across all of Apple’s operating systems, people with limb differences will be able to navigate Apple Watch using Assistive Touch, iPad will support third-party eye-tracking hardware for easier control, and for blind and low vision communities, Apple’s industry-leading Voice Over screen reader will get even smarter using on-device intelligence to explore objects within images.
Apple is introducing new background sounds to help minimize distractions, and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, Made for iPhone (MFi) will soon support new bi-directional hearing aids.
Apple is also launching a new service called SignTime which will aim to bridge the communication gap between Apple customer service and customers with speech or hearing disabilities.
Assistive Touch for Apple Watch
To support users with limited mobility, Apple is introducing a revolutionary new accessibility feature for Apple Watch. AssistiveTouch for watchOS allows users with upper body limb differences to enjoy the benefits of Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls.
Eye-Tracking Support for iPad
iPadOS will support third-party eye-tracking devices, making it possible for people to control iPad using just their eyes. By later this year, MFi devices will be able to follow an individual’s gaze and move the pointer accordingly, while prolonged eye contact performs an action.
Explore Images with VoiceOver
Apple is introducing new features for VoiceOver an industry‑leading screen reader for blind and low vision communities. Users can now explore even more details about the people, text, table data, and other objects within images. VoiceOver can also describe a person’s position along with other objects within images.
iPhone Hearing Aids and Audiogram Support
Apple is adding support for new bi-directional hearing aids. The microphones in these new hearing aids enable those who are deaf or hard of hearing to have hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations.
Apple is also bringing support for recognizing audiograms. Users can quickly customize their audio with their latest hearing test results imported from a paper or PDF audiogram. Headphone Accommodations amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies to suit a user’s hearing.
Background Sounds
Everyday sounds can be distracting and discomforting. Apple is introducing new background sounds to help minimize distractions and help users focus, stay calm, or rest.