Apple has announced a comprehensive slate of new content and features across its ecosystem to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, observed annually on the third Thursday of May. This year, the company is extending the celebration into a full week of activities, beginning May 16, 2022. The initiative includes updates to Fitness+, Maps, Music, the App Store, Apple Books, and more, all aimed at making Apple products more accessible and inclusive for users with disabilities. The efforts underscore Apple's long-standing commitment to accessibility as a fundamental human right, a principle that CEO Tim Cook has often emphasized in public addresses.
SignTime Expands to Canada
One of the most significant announcements is the expansion of SignTime, Apple's on-demand sign-language interpretation service, to Canada on May 19, 2022. SignTime allows customers in Apple Stores and those contacting Apple Support to communicate with a sign-language interpreter via video relay. The service will support American Sign Language (ASL) in Canada, complementing its existing availability in the United States (ASL), the United Kingdom (British Sign Language, BSL), and France (French Sign Language, LSF). This expansion is part of Apple's ongoing effort to remove communication barriers for Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. The service was first introduced in 2021 and has been praised by advocacy groups for its seamless integration into the retail experience. In-store signage and online scheduling options now include clear instructions on how to request a SignTime interpreter, ensuring that customers can access the service without prior appointment in many cases.
Live Accessibility Sessions in Apple Stores and Online
Throughout the week, Apple Stores around the globe are hosting live sessions to educate customers on how to use accessibility features built into iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. These sessions cover topics such as VoiceOver, Magnifier, Sound Recognition, AssistiveTouch, and Switch Control. For those unable to attend in person, Apple Support is publishing a series of how-to videos on its social media channels, demonstrating step-by-step setup and usage tips. The sessions are designed to empower users of all abilities, whether they are new to Apple devices or looking to explore lesser-known features. Apple has also created a special in-store signage campaign highlighting the tagline "Designed for everyone," reinforcing the idea that accessibility benefits all users.
New Shortcuts for Mac and Apple Watch
Apple is introducing a new shortcut called "Accessibility Assistant" for the Shortcuts app on Mac and Apple Watch. This shortcut guides users through a series of questions about their preferences and needs, then recommends relevant accessibility features to enable. For example, if a user indicates difficulty reading small text, the shortcut might suggest increasing the font size or enabling Zoom. If a user has motor impairments, it could recommend AssistiveTouch or Switch Control. The shortcut integrates with the System Settings on Mac and the Watch app on iPhone, making it easy to apply changes. This initiative builds on Apple's existing Accessibility Shortcuts menu (triple-clicking the side button on iPhone or iPad) and extends the concept to the desktop and wearable. The Accessibility Assistant shortcut is expected to be available as a download from the Shortcuts Gallery by the end of the week.
Fitness+ Updates for Wheelchair Users and Inclusive Workouts
Apple Fitness+ is rolling out significant updates to better serve wheelchair users and individuals with diverse fitness levels. Trainer Bakari Williams is using American Sign Language in a new workout highlight to demonstrate Audio Hints—short verbal cues that describe movements for blind or low-vision users. Going forward, the popular Time to Walk and Time to Run audio workout series will be rebranded as "Time to Walk or Push" and "Time to Run or Push" respectively, explicitly including wheelchair users who push rather than walk or run. Additionally, all Fitness+ videos (including workouts and meditations) will now feature ASL interpretation alongside closed captions in six languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. Each workout also includes trainer demonstrations of modifications—such as seated variations or reduced intensity options—so that users with different abilities can participate at their own pace. Apple has also added a new filter in the Fitness+ app to browse workouts specifically designed for wheelchair users, categorized by type, duration, and trainer.
Apple Maps Introduces Parks Access for All Guide
Apple Maps has debuted a new guide titled "Parks Access for All," curated in collaboration with Gallaudet University, the world's premier university for Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing students. The guide highlights U.S. national parks and state parks that offer accessible features such as wheelchair-accessible trails, tactile maps, audio tours, and sign-language interpreted programs. Users can find information about parking facilities, restroom accessibility, and available adaptive equipment. The guide also features businesses near parks that prioritize inclusivity, such as restaurants with staff trained in ASL or hotels with accessible room configurations. This partnership reflects Tim Cook's recent commencement address at Gallaudet University, where he emphasized technology's role in leveling the playing field for people with disabilities. Cook noted that Apple is committed to designing products and services that work for everyone, and the new Maps guide is a tangible result of that commitment.
Apple Music 'Saylist' Playlists and Sound-Focused Collections
Apple Music has launched a special collection called "Saylist"—a series of playlists each dedicated to a specific sound or vocal exercise. While originally designed for people practicing speech therapy or vocal training, the playlists are open to anyone who enjoys immersive auditory experiences. For example, one playlist focuses on vowel sounds, another on consonant combinations, and yet another on environmental sounds like rain or birdsong. The playlists are curated by speech-language pathologists and music therapists, and they incorporate songs that highlight particular phonemes or rhythms. This initiative not only serves therapeutic needs but also raises awareness about the diverse ways people experience sound.
App Store, Apple TV+, Books, and Podcasts Highlight Disability Representation
Across its content platforms, Apple is featuring curated collections that celebrate disability representation. On Apple TV+, users can find a dedicated row of movies and shows that authentically portray people with disabilities, including such titles as "CODA" (which won the Academy Award for Best Picture), "Eternals" (featuring Lauren Ridloff as the first deaf superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe), and "Introducing, Selma Blair" (a documentary about the actress's life with multiple sclerosis). The collection also includes Apple Original films like "The Elephant Queen" and series such as "See." The App Store is spotlighting accessibility-focused apps and sharing stories from developers who build tools for the disability community. Apple Books has a new collection of literature by and about people with disabilities, ranging from memoirs to fiction. Apple Podcasts is featuring episodes that discuss how technology is advancing accessibility, including interviews with engineers, activists, and healthcare professionals.
Additional Features Announced for 2022
In addition to the week's celebrations, Apple previewed several upcoming accessibility features set to launch later in 2022. These include Door Detection for people who are blind or low-vision (using LiDAR to identify doors, read signs, and indicate distance), Live Captions for all audio content (including phone calls, FaceTime, and media), Apple Watch Mirroring (which allows full control of the Apple Watch from a paired iPhone for users with limited mobility), and Buddy Controller (which lets a second person assist with gameplay on Apple Arcade). These features demonstrate Apple's continued investment in accessibility innovation, building on a legacy that includes the first screen reader for mobile devices (VoiceOver) and the first operating system with built-in eye-tracking support (iOS 15). The company has consistently integrated accessibility into its hardware and software design process, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Source: 9to5Mac News