Making technology more accessible for everyone is a “core value” of Apple, says Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of accessibility policy and initiatives. Herrlinger added that by making devices more accessible for those with disabilities, Apple was ultimately making better products.
Martyn Landi for The Independent:
Last week, the iPhone maker unveiled a suite of new accessibility tools which are being rolled out later this year.
They include a door detection tool for those with sight problems when they visit a new location and a feature for the Apple Watch to allow it to be controlled from a connected iPhone, as well as with voice commands and other actions.
Ms Herrlinger told the PA news agency that regularly introducing accessibility tools was something the firm works to build “into everything we do”.
“We strongly believe that by doing this, we make better products, not just for individuals in the disability communities, but for everyone, so it’s important work,” she said.
“I think these tools are important. They do bring access for so many people who want to be able to live their lives independently to be able to communicate, connect and learn and work and use technology the same way everyone else does.”
MacDailyNews Take: Go to Settings > Accessibility and explore Apple’s many accessibility tools – there’s something in there for everybody!
Apple’s accessibility features are simply unmatched. They’re light years ahead of would-be rivals. — MacDailyNews, May 14, 2018
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This focus has always made me proud to be an Apple supporter. Always.
This is true, pure and meaningful “woke.” True awareness and concern and solutions based.
It’s interesting that this community (w/ disabilities) isn’t clamoring for support, despite the needs. The “other” community is clamoring loudly and demandingly. “You need to change and adapt for us.” Be scorned, shamed and threatened, if you don’t comply.
Accessibility tools are not a new thing for Apple, it goes right back to the first Macs. They were supplied with a printed manual which included a section in large print, instructing visually impaired users how to turn on the accessibility features and also read the digital version of the operating manual.
Apple making things easier for people is one of the things that really annoys me about Apple. They should be more like Google, they should be ripping people off, ripping into their privacy and just outright being evil. The fact Apple is such a good company annoys me to no end.