Apple Sets New Sights on Accessibility: A Deep Dive into iOS 18 beta’s New Features
As someone who relies on technology far more than the average person, I've always been selective about the tools I choose to integrate into my daily life. My journey with Apple began years ago, not just because of the sleek design or the brand's prestige, but because of the company's unwavering commitment to accessibility. Apple has consistently been ahead of the curve in offering accessibility features that empower individuals like me to interact with technology in ways that were once unimaginable.
Apple’s Accessibility: A Commitment to Inclusivity
The recent announcement from Apple on May 15, 2024, only reaffirms why I choose to be an Apple power user. The introduction of groundbreaking features such as Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts highlights Apple’s dedication to making technology usable for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. For someone who navigates the world from a power wheelchair and relies heavily on accessible technology, these innovations are more than just updates; they are lifelines that make day-to-day tasks smoother and more intuitive.
Eye Tracking: A Game-Changer for Physical Disabilities
Apple’s Eye Tracking feature, for instance, is a game-changer for users with physical disabilities, such as those with spinal cord injuries or cerebral palsy, who have limited or no use of their hands or arms. This feature allows them to control their iPad or iPhone with just their eyes. This kind of innovation demonstrates why I trust Apple products—their technology adapts to the user, not the other way around. For those eager to explore all that iOS 18 has to offer, I recommend starting with the Eye Tracking feature. It’s available in the latest iOS 18 Beta, and to help you get started, I’ve written a detailed step-by-step guide titled "How to Set Up Eye Tracking on iOS 18 Beta for iPad and iPhone."
Apple is set to release new accessibility features later this year, including Eye Tracking, which enables users to navigate their iPad and iPhone using only their eyes.
Video description: The video opens with the text "Control iPad with your eyes." It then transitions to a person sitting at a table, using the iPad’s Eye Tracking feature to navigate the "Podcasts" app without touching the screen. A close-up shows their eyes moving to control the iPad, highlighting the ease of use. The video zooms out, revealing the person in a power wheelchair. It ends with the text "Because we believe the best technology works for everyone," followed by the Apple logo on a black screen.
Music Haptics: Redefining How We Experience Sound
Music Haptics is another brilliant example of how Apple caters to users with diverse needs. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, like some of my colleagues and friends, the ability to experience music through haptic feedback on the iPhone opens up a whole new world of sensory engagement. This feature translates audio into vibrations, providing a sensory experience that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Video description: The video begins with a close-up of an iPhone displaying the lock screen. The time reads "9:41" on Thursday, May 16. The screen features a music player showing a live performance by Peggy Gou, with the word "LIVE" prominently displayed over her image. As the music plays, the iPhone begins to vibrate, demonstrating the new haptic feedback feature that allows users to experience music through tactile sensations. The vibrations synchronize with the audio, translating the rhythm and beats into a sensory experience that can be felt.
Vocal Shortcuts and Enhanced Speech Recognition
Vocal Shortcuts are another exciting addition, allowing users with speech impairments or conditions affecting speech, such as cerebral palsy, ALS, or stroke, to perform tasks with custom sounds, offering more control and personalisation. Alongside this, Apple's new Listen for Atypical Speech feature enhances speech recognition for users with non-standard speech patterns, making voice interactions smoother and more effective.
Vocal Shortcuts allow iPhone and iPad users to create custom voice commands that Siri can recognize to trigger shortcuts and perform complex tasks.
Image description: A sequence of three iPhone screens displaying the setup and usage of Vocal Shortcuts. The first screen shows the setup prompt with the text 'Set Up Vocal Shortcuts.' The second screen instructs the user to say 'Rings' one last time to teach the iPhone to recognize the phrase, with progress indicators below. The third screen shows the iPhone home screen with a notification at the top that reads 'Open Activity Rings,' triggered by the user saying 'Rings'.
Vehicle Motion Cues: Comfort on the Go
The Vehicle Motion Cues feature, designed to reduce motion sickness in moving vehicles, is a thoughtful addition that shows Apple’s attention to the diverse needs of its users. By minimising sensory conflict, this feature ensures that even on the go, I can comfortably use my iPhone or iPad without discomfort. This is particularly beneficial for individuals prone to motion sickness or those with vestibular disorders.
Vehicle Motion Cues is a new feature for iPhone and iPad designed to help passengers in moving vehicles reduce motion sickness.
Video description: The video shows an iPhone screen displaying an article from the "delicious." website. On the left, simple car illustrations with directional arrows indicate the vehicle’s movements. As the vehicle turns left, right, accelerates, or brakes, small particles on the iPhone screen move accordingly, mimicking the motion. This highlights the Vehicle Motion Cues feature, which helps reduce motion sickness by aligning on-screen visuals with the vehicle's movements.
Accessibility in CarPlay and visionOS
Apple is also expanding accessibility in CarPlay with features like Voice Control, Colour Filters, and Sound Recognition, making driving or being a passenger more accessible. Voice Control is especially useful for individuals with physical disabilities or limited mobility, allowing them to navigate and control apps using just their voice. Sound Recognition can alert users who are deaf or hard of hearing to important sounds like car horns and sirens. Additionally, the new accessibility features in visionOS, including Live Captions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing and support for additional hearing devices, reflect Apple’s commitment to inclusivity across all its platforms.
CarPlay has been updated to include Sound Recognition, a feature that enables drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive alerts for sounds like car horns and sirens.
Mainstreaming Assistive Technology: Apple’s Seamless Integration
What truly sets Apple apart is how the tech giant is mainstreaming what was once prohibitively expensive technology. Features that used to require specialised, costly equipment are now simply baked into Apple devices, essentially plug and play. This seamless integration eliminates the clumsy compatibility issues that often plagued accessibility solutions in the past. No longer do users have to worry about whether their assistive technology will work with their other devices—Apple ensures everything works together effortlessly.
My Everyday Accessibility Tools: Siri, Dictation, and AssistiveTouch
As an Apple power user, I rely heavily on several key accessibility features in my daily life. Siri, for instance, acts as my virtual assistant, allowing me to perform tasks hands-free, whether it's sending a text message, setting a reminder, or controlling smart home devices. This is particularly helpful for individuals with physical disabilities or limited mobility. Dictation is another indispensable tool, especially when typing is impractical. It enables users, including those with physical disabilities, to write emails, documents, and notes simply by speaking, which saves time and reduces physical strain. AssistiveTouch on my iPhone adds another layer of accessibility, giving me an easy way to access core functions with customisable gestures, making navigation smooth and efficient. This feature is particularly useful for individuals with limited hand dexterity or mobility.
Share Your Experience: How Apple’s Accessibility Features Impact Your Life
As someone who has experienced firsthand the transformative power of Apple’s accessibility features, I’m curious to hear from others who might be using these tools as well. If you rely on Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, Vocal Shortcuts, Siri, Dictation, AssistiveTouch, or any other accessibility features that Apple offers, what has your experience been like? How have these innovations impacted your day-to-day life? Your insights and stories can contribute to the ongoing push for more inclusive technology.
Conclusion: Why I Proudly Remain an Apple Power User
In an age where accessibility should no longer be a luxury but a necessity, Apple continues to lead the way. Their ongoing innovations ensure that people like me can live more independently, stay connected, and continue to push the boundaries of what we can achieve. This is why I proudly consider myself an Apple power user, not just for the technology, but for the values and inclusivity that come with it.
Inspired by Apple’s recent press release on May 15, 2024, announcing new accessibility features, I felt compelled to share my own experience as an Apple power user and how their innovations have impacted my life.
