Press release
Apple unveils new accessibility features and update powered by Apple Intelligence
With Apple Intelligence, detailed descriptions and natural language navigation are coming to features like VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader.
Apple also announced new features for controlling power wheelchairs with Apple Vision Pro and generating subtitles in the Apple ecosystem, which will be coming later this year.
Cupertino, California Apple today previewed a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to bring new capabilities to features users rely on every day, including VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader.1 Apple also announced on-device generated subtitles for uncapable video content coming to the Apple ecosystem, as well as a new feature for Apple Vision Pro users to control compatible wheelchairs with their eyes. These new features, as well as updates that use Apple Intelligence, are coming later this year. And starting today, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone — an adaptive MagSafe accessory designed with accessibility at the core — is available in three vibrant new colors at the Apple Store online.
“Apple’s approach to accessibility is unlike any other,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Now, with Apple Intelligence, we’re bringing powerful new capabilities to our accessibility features while maintaining our fundamental commitment to privacy by design.”
“The accessibility features our users rely on every day become even more powerful with Apple Intelligence,” said Sarah Herlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “With these updates, we’re bringing new, intuitive options for input, exploration, and personalization – designed to protect users’ privacy every step of the way.”
VoiceOver and Magnifier can search more
For users who are blind or have low vision, voiceovers and magnifiers can describe onscreen information or the user’s surroundings.2 With Apple Intelligence, these essential tools become even more powerful. Image Explorer in VoiceOver uses Apple Intelligence to deliver a more detailed description of images across the system, including what’s in photos, scanned bills, personal records, and other visual content. With the update to Live Recognition, VoiceOver users can press an action button on iPhone to instantly ask questions and get detailed feedback about what’s in the camera viewfinder. Users can also ask follow-up questions in their own words to gain more visual information.
Magnifier uses Apple Intelligence to bring the same helpful exploration and visual detail to a high-contrast interface designed for users with low vision. Magnifier also works with action buttons so users can ask questions and get answers instantly. And users can control the app itself with spoken requests like “zoom in” or “turn on the flashlight.”
Voice control gets natural language
With Apple Intelligence, voice control is more intuitive than ever, using natural language to help users with a variety of physical disabilities navigate iPhone and iPad entirely through voice. With the new flexible input, users can describe onscreen buttons and controls in natural language instead of having to remember precise labels or numbers. The “Say what you see” option is great for navigating any app, including those with a visual layout like Apple Maps or Files, using intuitive language like “Tap the guide about the best restaurants” or “Tap the purple folder.” It can also help users overcome barriers when elements are not appropriately labeled for accessibility.3
Accessibility Reader optimizes even more
Accessibility Reader is an adapted reading experience for users with a variety of disabilities, from dyslexia to low vision, and with Apple Intelligence, the reading experience is more accessible than ever. Accessibility Reader works on more complex source material such as scientific articles, handling text with multiple columns, images and tables. On-demand summaries provide readers with the option to get an overview of the article before diving into the details. And with the new built-in translation, users can read text in their native language while retaining custom formatting, fonts, and colors.
Generate subtitles for video
While captioning solutions are becoming increasingly common for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, subtitles for spoken dialogue are rarely available for personal videos, content shared by friends and family, and other media. With the new Generated Captions, videos can automatically display transcriptions of spoken audio when captions or subtitles are not already provided, including clips recorded on iPhone, received from friends and family, or streamed online. With on-device speech recognition, subtitles are generated privately and automatically appear for uncaptioned videos on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. The appearance of subtitles can be customized in the video playback menu or settings.4
A powerful wheelchair control feature for Apple Vision Pro
For some people who use power wheelchairs, driving with a joystick is not an option, and alternative drive controls may be an essential part of independent movement. Taking advantage of the precise eye-tracking system on Apple Vision Pro, a new power wheelchair control feature provides users with a responsive input method for compatible alternative drive systems. With Vision Pro, eye tracking does not require frequent re-calibration and works in a variety of lighting conditions.5 The feature launches in the US with Tolt and LUCI optional drive systems with added support for both Bluetooth and wired connections.6 And Apple will continue to work with developers to expand support for more wheelchair drive systems.
“Having the option to control your power wheelchair yourself is gold to me,” said Pat Dolan, founder of GeoALS and a member of Team Gleason’s patient advisory board, who has been living with ALS for 10 years. “With this new feature, Apple is developing life-enhancing technology for those who need it most.”
“Over the past decade, we have seen eye-guided wheelchair systems evolve in incredible ways,” said Blair Casey, CEO of Team Gleason. “Taking advantage of Apple Vision Pro’s eye-tracking capabilities in this way is a huge step forward. Team Gleason is proud to support this initiative and excited to see how it can benefit people who use power wheelchairs.”
Hikawa Adaptive MagSafe accessory now widely available
Launching today at online Apple stores worldwide, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone is now available in three vibrant new colors. Los Angeles-based designer Bailey Hikawa developed this MagSafe accessory with accessibility in mind, collaborating with individuals with a variety of disabilities that affect grip, strength, and mobility. The result is an adaptive grip and stand that helps users hold the iPhone in the way that works best for them. Now, through a collaboration between Hikawa and PopSocket, this unique adaptive accessory is available globally for the first time.7
“Apple’s accessibility work – which includes engaging communities with disabilities from the early stages of design to create the best possible products for everyone – has been the driving force of this project,” Hikawa said. “Our studio is built around intuitive, joyful accessories for the iPhone, and it’s been a great privilege to create a product that embraces the iPhone as an accessory and pays homage to accessibility.”
On May 20, at The Grove in Los Angeles, Apple will host a Today at Apple session with Hikawa, author Shane Berkow, and actor Alex Barron to discuss the iPhone’s role as a vital assistive technology, and how accessible design can create inclusive, enjoyable experiences for everyone.
additional updates
- vehicle speed signal Come VisionOS, which may help reduce motion sickness for those who use the Apple Vision Pro as a passenger in a moving vehicle. Vision Pro will also support taps and facial gestures to perform system actions, as well as a new way to select elements with your eyes while using them. residence control.
- touch housing Provide a new way to personalize Setup in iOS and iPadOS.
- Hearing aids made for iPhone Pairing and hand-off between Apple devices happens more reliably, with an improved setup experience across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and VisionOS.
- big text Support is coming to tvOS, so viewers with low vision can increase the size of onscreen text to make it easier to read.
- name recognitionWhich can notify deaf or hard of hearing users if someone calls their name, works in over 50 languages globally.
- For sign language interpreting app developers, a new API helps users add a human interpreter face time Video call.
- Those who have difficulty interacting with traditional controllers can now connect the Sony Access Controller as a game controller With iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Users can configure the thumbstick, nine built-in buttons, and up to four additional external buttons or special switches to personalize the layout. They can also connect two controllers for a deeply personalized gaming experience.
about apple
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with the iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms – iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, VisionOS and tvOS – deliver seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with vital services, including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud and Apple TV. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to creating the best products on Earth and making the world a better place than we found it.
- Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for these languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115.
- Voiceover and magnifiers should not be relied upon in situations where harm or injury could occur to someone, in high-risk situations, for navigation, or for the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition.
- Voice Control, powered by Apple Intelligence, will be available in English in the US, Canada, UK and Australia.
- The generated subtitles will be available in English in the US and Canada.
- This feature and Apple Vision Pro are for use in controlled environments. For more information, visit support.apple.com/en-us/118507.
- Wired connection requires purchase of the Apple Vision Pro Developer Strap.
- Customers can purchase Hikawa Grip and Stand for iPhone on apple.com in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, UK and US.
press contact
Will Butler
Apple
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