Apple’s NEW Accessibility Features

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! What better fitting than for Apple to release new accessibility features on Tuesday? Let us take a quick look at them!

Picture of a MacBook with new accessibility Phonetic Suggestions

In a press release, Apple detailed the new software, which will be released later this year and was created in collaboration with disabled people. "At Apple, we've always believed that the best technology is built for everyone," said Apple's CEO, Tim Cook. "Today, we're excited to share incredible new features that build on our long history of making technology accessible so that everyone has the opportunity to create, communicate, and do what they love."

Photo of iPhone with Live Speech showing

These features include Live Speech, where users type what they want to say, and it's then spoken out loud during phone calls, FaceTime, or real-life conversations. There's even a feature called Personal Voice for users at risk of losing their ability to speak, and it's a simple and secure way to create a voice that sounds like them. Point and Speak will be another sought-after feature, expanding accessibility for people with vision-related disabilities by permitting them to point their camera at a physical object with a text label (like a stove in the kitchen) and read it aloud.

Photo of iPhone Assistive Access Camera

This is an excellent way to raise attention around digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. Stay tuned. As soon as I can get my hands on these features, I will. :)

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