Apple website celebrates accessibility for Global Accessibility Awareness Day

By

Apple accessibility homepage
Apple takes accessibility very seriously.
Photo: Apple

The Apple website has today been updated to highlight the accessibility features of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. The change is in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a yearly event that promotes digital access and inclusion for those with different disabilities.

Apple has long touted its myriad of accessibility efforts, which make macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS easier to use — and indeed incredibly helpful — to those with a disability. As the company states on its new homepage, “technology is most powerful when it empowers everyone.”

Apple.com updated for Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Visitors to Apple.com are today greeted by an image that highlights Apple’s focus on accessibility. It shows FaceTimes calls conducted with sign language, iBooks being read aloud with VoiceOver, wheelchair workouts on Apple Watch, and more.

Apple has also updated its dedicated Accessibility page, which again shows the 2016 commercial “Sady” that showcases the many ways in which Apple devices are used by those with a disability. The commercial is narrated by Sady Paulson, who uses Switch Control to operate a Mac.

The page also lists some of the accessibility features available on various Apple devices, such as VoiceOver, the ability to invert colors and use magnification, Live Listen for hearing aid wearers, AssistiveTouch, and dictation through Siri.

“We want everyone to enjoy the everyday moments that technology helps make possible, so we work to make every Apple product accessible from the very start,” the page reads. “Because the true value of a device isn’t measured by how powerful it is, but by how much it empowers you.”

Apple pushes accessibility

For Global Accessibility Awareness Day last year, Apple published YouTube videos that showcase some of the features listed above, and hosted a Stevie Wonder concert at One Infinite Loop. This year, Apple is offering accessibility sessions in its stores throughout May.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.