Apple has announced a comprehensive series of new accessibility-focused features and content across its product lineup to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day. The week-long celebration brings updates to Fitness+, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Books, and more, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity. Global Accessibility Awareness Day was founded in 2012 and aims to promote digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities. Apple has long been a leader in this area, embedding accessibility into the core of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and now its services. This year’s initiatives build on a foundation that includes VoiceOver (introduced in 2009), Switch Control, and many other tools that have set industry standards.
SignTime expands to Canada
SignTime, Apple’s on-demand sign language interpretation service available in Apple Stores and via Apple Support, is launching in Canada on May 19. Customers in Canada can now request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter to assist with their shopping or support needs through a secure video call. The service was previously available in the United States using ASL, in the United Kingdom using British Sign Language (BSL), and in France using French Sign Language (LSF). Apple has emphasized that accessibility in retail environments is critical, and SignTime aims to remove communication barriers for Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. The expansion to Canada reflects Apple’s global strategy to ensure that no customer is left behind when seeking help or making purchases. The service is available in all Apple Stores and through the Apple Support app, allowing users to connect with an interpreter instantly without needing to pre-book.
Live sessions in Apple Stores and online
Throughout this week, Apple Stores around the globe are hosting live sessions that show customers how to use the accessibility features built into their iPhones, iPads, and Macs. These sessions cover a range of tools such as VoiceOver, Magnifier, Sound Recognition, Switch Control, and AssistiveTouch. For those unable to visit a store, Apple Support is sharing similar how-to content across its social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. The initiative helps users discover lesser-known capabilities that can greatly improve their daily experience with Apple devices. For example, VoiceOver allows a blind user to navigate the entire operating system with gestures and spoken descriptions, while Sound Recognition can alert a deaf user to specific sounds like a baby crying or a doorbell. The live sessions are offered in multiple languages and are designed to be hands-on, with store employees guiding participants through real-world scenarios.
New Shortcuts for Mac and Apple Watch
Apple is introducing an Accessibility Assistant shortcut for the Shortcuts app on Mac and Apple Watch. This shortcut walks users through a series of questions about their specific needs and then recommends a personalized set of accessibility features. For example, someone who has difficulty seeing small text might be directed to Dynamic Type or Zoom, while someone with motor challenges might learn about Switch Control or Voice Control. The shortcut simplifies the process of configuring accessibility settings, making it easier for users to get the most out of their devices without having to dig through complex menus. It also highlights features that users may not be aware of, such as the ability to customize the double-click speed of the side button or to enable AssistiveTouch gestures on the Apple Watch. The Accessibility Assistant is just one example of how Apple leverages the Shortcuts app to automate and streamline accessibility setup, a trend that has grown since Shortcuts was introduced in 2017.
Fitness+ workouts become more inclusive
Apple Fitness+ is undergoing several changes to better serve users with disabilities. Trainer Bakari Williams now uses American Sign Language in a new video that highlights features like Audio Hints – short, descriptive verbal cues that help blind or low-vision users follow along with workouts. Additionally, the popular Time to Walk episodes are being renamed “Time to Walk or Push,” and Time to Run episodes are becoming “Time to Run or Push,” explicitly welcoming wheelchair users. Going forward, every Fitness+ workout and meditation will feature ASL interpretation by the trainers, and all videos include closed captioning in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Trainers are also demonstrating modifications in each workout, allowing participants of different fitness levels to join in comfortably. These updates reflect Apple’s belief that fitness should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. The Fitness+ service, launched in December 2020, has rapidly evolved to include more diverse trainers and workout types, but this week’s changes mark the most significant accessibility overhaul yet. Bakari Williams, who is himself a member of the Deaf community, brings authenticity to the ASL-integrated content, showing that representation matters in instructional fitness media.
Apple Maps guide for accessible parks
Apple Maps has added a new guide titled “Parks Access for All,” created in partnership with Gallaudet University – a leading institution for Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing students. The guide highlights accessible features, programs, and services available in parks across the United States. Users can find information about wheelchair-accessible trails, tactile signage, ASL-guided tours, and more. In addition, Apple Maps is featuring businesses that prioritize the Deaf community, such as coffee shops run by Deaf owners or theaters offering interpreted performances. This move aligns with comments made by Apple CEO Tim Cook during his commencement address at Gallaudet University last week, where he stressed the importance of designing technology that works for everyone. The guide is available directly in the Apple Maps app under the “Guides” tab, and it covers national parks, state parks, and local recreation areas. Partnerships with organizations like Gallaudet ensure that the content is accurate and meaningful, leveraging the expertise of the disability community rather than simply inferring needs.
Apple Music “Saylist” playlists focused on sounds
Apple Music is launching a new collection of playlists called “Saylist,” each curated around a specific sound or vocal exercise. While the playlists are designed for individuals practicing vocal sounds or undergoing speech therapy, they are open to all listeners. The collection includes categories like “Vocal Warm-Ups,” “Speech Sounds,” and “Rhythm and Beat,” offering a unique auditory experience. This initiative demonstrates how accessibility features can also benefit a broader audience. Speech therapists may find these playlists particularly useful for clients working on articulation or phonemic awareness. The playlists are accessible via the Apple Music app, and they highlight the intersection of technology, music, and therapy. Saylist joins other Apple Music curated collections, but its focus on vocal and auditory skills makes it a standout for accessibility.
Additional features across Apple services
Apple is also highlighting disability representation across its entertainment platforms. Apple TV+ features a curated collection of movies and shows that prominently include actors with disabilities, such as Marlee Matlin from CODA, Lauren Ridloff from Eternals, and Selma Blair from Introducing, Selma Blair. The App Store is showcasing accessibility-focused apps and developer stories that highlight how technology can empower people with disabilities. Apple Books has a new collection of literature written by or about people with disabilities, while Apple Podcasts spotlights episodes discussing how technology is advancing accessibility. These efforts are part of a broader push to ensure that people with disabilities see themselves reflected in media and that their stories are told authentically. The curated collections are available on each respective service for the duration of Accessibility Awareness Week.
Earlier this year, Apple previewed several upcoming accessibility features that are expected to launch later in 2022. These include Door Detection, which uses the iPhone’s LiDAR scanner to identify doors and read signs or labels aloud; Live Captions, which provide real-time captions for any audio content on the device; and Apple Watch Mirroring, which allows users to control the Watch remotely from an iPhone. These features further expand Apple’s accessibility ecosystem and underline the company’s long-term commitment to inclusive design. Door Detection, for example, can help a blind user navigate an unfamiliar building by providing distance to a door, its state (open or closed), and any text on it. Live Captions work across phone calls, FaceTime, and media playback, making communication and entertainment more accessible. Apple Watch Mirroring enables someone with limited mobility to operate the Watch from their phone using assistive technologies like Switch Control.
Source: 9to5Mac News