Reaction To Apple Accessibility Features released today
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), which takes place this Thursday, is a worldwide initiative dedicated to raising awareness about digital access and inclusion. GAAD reminds us that technology should work for everyone.
Every year right before GAAD, Apple made a bold and exciting announcement showcasing the company’s ongoing commitment to accessibility. This year’s accessibility updates span iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro—and they’re nothing short of groundbreaking.
“At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “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.”
“Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.
Accessibility Nutrition Labels Come to the App Store
This new section on App Store product pages will highlight accessibility features like VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. It will help users understand an app's accessibility before downloading and encourage developers to clearly disclose supported features.
This is an amazing step forward. However, there is concern that some developers may misrepresent their app’s accessibility status. It remains to be seen whether App Store Review will enforce accuracy, but the initiative still sets a strong precedent.
An All-New Magnifier for Mac
Apple brings its powerful Magnifier tool to the Mac, allowing users to zoom in on physical objects, documents, and environments using their webcam or iPhone’s Continuity Camera. The app supports multi-window views, custom filters, document scanning, and is integrated with the new Accessibility Reader.
This effectively turns the Mac into a CCTV (closed-circuit television)—a common assistive device for low vision users that magnifies printed material on a screen. Apple's version could offer a far more versatile and affordable option.
Braille Access: A Braille Notetaker Replacement?
Braille Access is a new experience that turns Apple devices into full-featured braille notetakers. It supports launching apps via Braille Screen Input or braille display, taking notes with Nemeth Braille, and reading Braille Ready Format (BRF) files. It even provides live captions via braille.
This could seriously disrupt the braille notetaker market. Traditional notetakers cost upwards of $6,000, often feature outdated software, and are limited in functionality. Apple’s deeply integrated solution is modern, fast, and affordable—while braille displays may still be relevant, expensive notetakers are at risk of becoming obsolete.
Accessibility Reader
This new systemwide feature customizes fonts, spacing, and colors to help users with dyslexia or low vision. It also supports Spoken Content. Built into Magnifier, Accessibility Reader lets users interact with physical-world text—like books or menus—in a more accessible way.
It’s similar to third-party tools like Voice Dream Reader, which reads documents with customizable visual and audio settings. Apple’s version brings that power to the system level.
Live Captions on Apple Watch
Apple Watch gains Live Captions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Combined with Live Listen (which streams iPhone microphone audio to hearing aids or headphones), this feature empowers users with real-time communication support—even on their wrist.
An Enhanced View with Apple Vision Pro
Apple Vision Pro’s accessibility features now include enhanced Zoom and Live Recognition, which describe the surroundings, read documents, and locate objects—all hands-free. Developers can now access the Vision Pro camera for live interpretation services like Be My Eyes.
This is great news for people like my friend Michael, who was disappointed with the Vision Pro’s initial release but is now thrilled by these updates. I’m now seriously considering buying one myself.
Other Updates Worth Highlighting
- Background Sounds now support EQ settings and automation in Shortcuts.
- Personal Voice becomes faster and supports more languages.
- Vehicle Motion Cues come to Mac and get more customization options.
- Eye Tracking supports switch input and QuickPath typing.
- Head Tracking and Switch Control expand across Apple platforms.
- Brain Computer Interface support introduced.
- Assistive Access adds Apple TV app and custom developer tools.
- Music Haptics gets more control over intensity and timing.
- Sound Recognition can now detect when your name is called.
- Voice Control gains a programming mode in Xcode and language expansion.
- Live Captions now support more regional languages.
- CarPlay adds Large Text and sound alerts for crying babies and sirens.
- Share Accessibility Settings allows users to temporarily share their custom setup with another device—ideal for public kiosks or borrowing someone else’s phone.
That last one—Share Accessibility Settings—is especially promising. I wonder how it will work in real-world scenarios and if it will eventually come to Mac. If so, it could be a game changer.