Apple Unveils the Latest Accessibility Features Coming Later this Year
As they have over the last few years, Apple has unveiled its latest set of acccessibility features that will be arriving on Apple's platforms later this year. The list of items being added this year span all of Apple's platforms, as well as the App Store.
Accessibility Labels on the App Store
It is difficult for users to determine how much accessibility is put into an app without downloading it and testing it. In an attempt to help remedy this, Apple is adding "Accessibility Nutrition Labels" to the App Store. These will work in a similar manner as the Private Nutirition Labels.
The Accessibility Nutrition Labels will provide users information about the type of featurs that are supported within the app. This could be something like VoiceOver, Dark Interface, Reduced Motion, Audio Descriptions and more.
It is not known whether these will be automatically generated, or, if like the Privacy Labels, they will be dependent on reporting from the developer.
New Magnifier for the Mac
One of the more common issues for users is that they may not be able to easily see their surroundings. IF you have an iPhone or an iPad, this is easily accomplished with the magnifier. But now, this is coming to macOS. macOS will have an all-new magnifier that will use the Mac's camera to be able to zoom in on the surroundings.
Along with this, if you have a camera in Desk View, you will be able to read documents, as well as adjusting the brightness and contrast so that you can read the documents.
Accessibility Reader
One feature that is within Safari is the ability to view a webpage without a lot of the extra junk around it, like ads, menus, and side columns, leaving just the text. iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS will be getting a similar system-wide feature called "Accessibility Reader". Accessibility Reader is accessible from any app and even gives you the ability to customize the font, color, and spacing to view text that makes it easiest on you.
New Braille Experience
Not everyone is sighted, and instead these people need a different way, for some VoiceOver works well, but for others, they may need Braille. For those who need Braille, there is a new experience. Users who are connected braille device can easily open apps with that device, or by using the Braille Screen Input screen.
With Braille Access users will be able to quickly take notes in braille format, or even perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, which is a code often used for math and science within the Braille community.
Closing Thoughts
These are just a few of the new features that are coming to Apple's platforms. Some others include things like larger text within CarPlay, Custom Equalizer settings for sound detection, and even more customization for Music Haptics. It is good to see additional accessibility options being added across Apple's platforms. These features allow an even wider range of users to use Apple's platforms in a manner which helps them.
Source: Apple Newsroom