Apple announces new software accessibility features to aid people with disabilities
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- 31 May 2022
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The Cupertino-based tech giant revealed the new functionality ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on Thursday.
That includes 'Door Detection', a new 'last metre' navigation feature for users who are blind or have low vision, and Apple Watch mirroring on iPhones.
"Apple embeds accessibility into every aspect of our work, and we are committed to designing the best products and services for everyone," said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.
"We're excited to introduce these new features, which combine innovation and creativity from teams across Apple to give users more options to use our products in ways that best suit their needs and lives."
Door Detection is designed to help users locate a door when arriving at a new destination by telling them how far away it is and describing the door out loud.
The feature will work regardless if the door is open or closed or whether it can be accessed by pushing, pulling or turning a knob, as well as reading signs and symbols around the door. It will also identify revolving doors.
The functionality will be delivered using LiDAR - a scanner that uses reflected light to measure distance - which is currently available in the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro models and some iPads, the company said.
Door Detection is being added to Magnifier, Apple's built-in app designed to support blind and low vision users, which can already detect how far away from other people users are as well as zoom in on writing that may be hard to read.
The Apple Watch will also become more accessible for people with physical and motor disabilities with the Mirroring feature, which helps users control the watch remotely from their paired iPhone.
The iPhone's assistive features like Voice Control and Switch Control, as well as voice commands, sound actions, head tracking and external Made for iPhone switches, can be used as alternatives to tapping the display.
New quick actions also builds on AssistiveTouch, which gives users with upper body limb differences the option to control their watch with a gesture or a clench. Read More…
