Apple has recently announced a compelling lineup of new accessibility features set to arrive on iPhone and iPad later this year. These groundbreaking additions, including Assistive Access, Live Speech, and Personal Voice Advance Speech, aim to enhance the user experience for individuals with cognitive disabilities and other accessibility needs. With a focus on empowering users and promoting inclusivity, Apple continues to make strides in revolutionizing assistive technology.
1. Assistive Access: Streamlining the Experience for Cognitive Disabilities
Apple's Assistive Access introduces an innovative interface option designed to reduce cognitive load and support users with cognitive disabilities. Informed by feedback from individuals with cognitive disabilities and their trusted supporters, this feature distills apps and experiences to their essential features, prioritizing activities that are foundational to iPhone and iPad usage. Features include:
- Customized experience for Phone and FaceTime, integrated into a single Calls app.
- Distinct interface with high contrast buttons and large text labels.
- Tailorable tools for trusted supporters to personalize the experience.
- Visual communication options like an emoji-only keyboard and video messaging.
2. Live Speech: Amplifying Communication for All
Live Speech is a game-changing feature that enables users to type what they want to say and have it spoken out loud during phone calls, FaceTime conversations, and in-person interactions. Noteworthy aspects include:
- Availability across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
- Easy access to commonly used phrases for swift participation in conversations.
- Personal Voice component for users at risk of losing their ability to speak.
- Simple and secure voice creation process using on-device machine learning.
- Seamlessly integrates with Live Speech, allowing users to speak with their personalized voice.
3. Expanded Detection Features in the Magnifier App
Apple has extended the Detection features within the Magnifier app, benefitting users with vision disabilities. Notable additions include:
- Point and Speak, a feature leveraging the Camera app, LiDAR Scanner, and on-device machine learning to announce text labels on physical objects.
- Compatibility with VoiceOver and other Magnifier features like People Detection, Door Detection, and Image Descriptions.
- Enhanced navigation support for users in their physical environments.
4. Additional Accessibility Advancements
Apple has also unveiled a range of other accessibility features aimed at improving the user experience across various domains. These include:
- Direct pairing of Made for iPhone hearing devices with Mac, customizable for individual hearing comfort.
- Phonetic suggestions in Voice Control for accurate text editing.
- Voice Control Guide for learning voice command techniques.
- Virtual game controller support for Switch Control users.
- Easier adjustment of Text Size across Mac apps.
- Automatic pause of animated elements for users sensitive to rapid animations.
- Natural and expressive Siri voices for VoiceOver users, with customizable speech rates.
Apple's upcoming iOS 17 accessibility features demonstrate the company's unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with diverse needs. By introducing Assistive Access, Live Speech, and Personal Voice, among other groundbreaking innovations, Apple is revolutionizing the assistive technology landscape. These advancements not only promote inclusivity but also pave the way for a more accessible and inclusive future.