Apple’s Assistive Access simplifies iOS 16 for people with cognitive disabilities
With Global Accessibility Awareness Day just days away, Apple is previewing a raft of new iOS features for cognitive accessibility, along with Live Speech, Personal Voice and more. The company said it worked in “deep collaboration” with community groups representing users with disabilities, and drew on “advances in hardware and software, including on-device machine learning” to make them work.
The biggest update is “Assistive Access” designed to support users with cognitive disabilities. Essentially, it provides a custom, simplified experience for the phone, FaceTime, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Music apps. That includes a “distinct interface with high contrast buttons and large text labels” along with tools that can be customized by trusted supporters for each individual.
“For example, for users who prefer communicating visually, Messages includes an emoji-only keyboard and the option to record a video message to share with loved ones. Users and trusted supporters can also choose between a more visual, grid-based layout for their Home Screen and apps, or a row-based layout for users who prefer text,” Apple wrote.
The aim is to break down technological barriers for people with cognitive disabilities. “The intellectual and developmental disability community is bursting with creativity, but technology often poses physical, visual, or knowledge barriers for these individuals,” said The Arc’s Katy Schmid in a statement. “To have a feature that provides a cognitively accessible experience on iPhone or iPad — that means more open doors to education, employment, safety, and autonomy. It means broadening worlds and expanding potential.”
Another important new feature is Live Speech and Personal Voice for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Live Speech lets users type what they want to say and have it spoken out loud during phone and FaceTime calls or for in-person conversations. For users who can still speak but are at risk of losing their ability to do so due to a diagnosis of ALS or other conditions, there’s the Personal Voice feature.
