Apple Unveils New Accessibility Features, including Live Speech, Personalized Voice Mode, and Point and Speak Functionality within Magnifier
In a commendable move towards inclusivity, Apple has announced several updates to its accessibility features, aimed at making its technology more accessible to a wider range of users.
For those who struggle with rapid animations, Apple has introduced an automatic pause feature for images with moving elements in Messages and Safari on Mac. This is a significant step forward for users sensitive to such animations.
Users with visual impairments will find it easier to interact with physical objects thanks to Point and Speak in Magnifier. This feature, available on iPhone and iPad devices with the LiDAR Scanner, reads out text labels of objects, making daily tasks more manageable.
For the deaf or hard-of-hearing community, pairing Made for iPhone hearing devices directly to Mac is now possible. This feature will be available on select Mac devices with the M1 chip and all Mac devices with the M2 chip, offering improved hearing experiences.
Apple Fitness+ trainers are now incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) into every workout and meditation session, making fitness more accessible for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
For individuals who have lost their ability to speak or are at risk of losing it, such as those with ALS, Apple has introduced Personal Voice. This feature allows users to create a voice that sounds like them, providing a simple and secure solution for communication. Personal Voice uses on-device machine learning to keep users' information private and secure.
In addition, Voice Control adds phonetic suggestions for text editing on Mac, making voice typing more accurate and efficient. Voice Control phonetic suggestions will be available in multiple languages.
For users who type with their voice, Apple offers the Voice Control Guide on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This guide provides tips and tricks about using voice commands for a more seamless experience.
SignTime, a service offering on-demand sign language interpreters for Apple Store and Apple Support customers, is expanding to Germany, Italy, Spain, and South Korea. SignTime will launch in these countries on May 18, connecting customers with the support they need.
However, it's worth noting that, as of the provided search results, there are no specific disability community leaders listed in the App Store who share their experiences as non-verbal individuals and the transformative impact of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps in their lives.
Lastly, Siri's speech rate on Mac can now be customized, allowing users to adjust the speed from 0.8x to 2x, providing a more personalized user experience.
These updates demonstrate Apple's ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring its technology is accessible to all.
