

Users can create a Personal Voice by reading along with a randomized set of text prompts to record 15 minutes of audio on iPhone or iPad. Live Speech has been designed to support millions of people globally who are unable to speak or who have lost their speech over time.įor users at risk of losing their ability to speak - such as those with a recent diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability - Personal Voice is a simple and secure way to create a voice that sounds like them. Users can also save commonly used phrases to chime in quickly during lively conversation with family, friends, and colleagues. With Live Speech on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can type what they want to say to have it be spoken out loud during phone and FaceTime calls as well as in-person conversations. Live Speech and Personal Voice Advance Speech Accessibility It means broadening worlds and expanding potential.” “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. “The intellectual and developmental disability community is bursting with creativity, but technology often poses physical, visual, or knowledge barriers for these individuals,” said Katy Schmid, senior director of National Program Initiatives at The Arc of the United States. 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.

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. The feature offers a distinct interface with high contrast buttons and large text labels, as well as tools to help trusted supporters tailor the experience for the individual they support. The feature reflects feedback from people with cognitive disabilities and their trusted supporters - focusing on the activities they enjoy - and that are foundational to iPhone and iPad: connecting with loved ones, capturing and enjoying photos, and listening to music.Īssistive Access includes a customized experience for Phone and FaceTime, which have been combined into a single Calls app, as well as Messages, Camera, Photos, and Music. “These groundbreaking features were designed with feedback from members of disability communities every step of the way, to support a diverse set of users and help people connect in new ways.”Īssistive Access Supports Users with Cognitive DisabilitiesĪssistive Access uses innovations in design to distill apps and experiences to their essential features in order to lighten cognitive load. “Accessibility is part of everything we do at Apple,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “Today, we’re excited to share incredible new features that build on our long history of making technology accessible, so that everyone has the opportunity to create, communicate, and do what they love.” “At Apple, we’ve always believed that the best technology is technology built for everyone,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. For users who are blind or have low vision, Detection Mode in Magnifier offers Point and Speak, which identifies text users point toward and reads it out loud to help them interact with physical objects such as household appliances. Coming later this year, users with cognitive disabilities can use iPhone and iPad with greater ease and independence with Assistive Access nonspeaking individuals can type to speak during calls and conversations with Live Speech and those at risk of losing their ability to speak can use Personal Voice to create a synthesized voice that sounds like them for connecting with family and friends. These updates draw on advances in hardware and software, include on-device machine learning to ensure user privacy, and expand on Apple’s long-standing commitment to making products for everyone.Īpple works in deep collaboration with community groups representing a broad spectrum of users with disabilities to develop accessibility features that make a real impact on people’s lives.
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New software features for cognitive, speech, and vision accessibility are coming later this yearĬUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today previewed software features for cognitive, vision, hearing, and mobility accessibility, along with innovative tools for individuals who are nonspeaking or at risk of losing their ability to speak. Apple introduces new features for cognitive accessibility, along with Live Speech, Personal Voice, and Point and Speak in Magnifier
