Apple unveils new accessibility features and updates with Apple Intelligence
May 19, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Apple unveils new accessibility features and updates using Apple Intelligence
With Apple Intelligence comes step-by-step descriptions and natural language navigation to features like VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader.
Apple also announced new features for power wheelchair control with Apple Vision Pro and caption generation across the Apple ecosystem, all coming later this year.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to bring new capabilities to features users rely on every day, including VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader.1 Apple also announced device-generated captions for untitled video content coming to the Apple ecosystem, as well as a new feature for Apple Vision Pro users that allows them to control compatible wheelchairs with their eyes. These new features, as well as updates using Apple Intelligence, will arrive later this year. And starting today, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone—an adaptive MagSafe accessory designed with accessibility in mind—is available in three bright new colors at the Apple Store online.
“Apple’s approach to accessibility is unlike any other,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO. “Now with Apple Intelligence, we’re bringing powerful new features to our accessibility features while maintaining our core commitment to privacy by design.”
“The accessibility features our users rely on every day are made even more powerful by Apple Intelligence,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of global accessibility policies and initiatives. “With these updates, we’re bringing new, intuitive options for input, exploration and personalization — designed to protect users’ privacy every step of the way.”
VoiceOver and Magnifier can explore more
For blind or visually impaired users, VoiceOver and Magnifier can describe information on the screen or around the user.2 With Apple Intelligence, these essential tools are even more powerful. Image Explorer in VoiceOver uses Apple Intelligence to provide more detailed descriptions of images throughout the system, including what’s in photos, scanned receipts, personal records, and other visual content. With updates to Live Recognition, VoiceOver users can quickly ask a question about what’s in the camera’s viewfinder by pressing the Action button on iPhone and get a detailed answer. Users can also ask follow-up questions in their own words to get more visual information.
Magnifier uses Apple Intelligence to bring the same assisted exploration and visual description to a high-contrast interface designed for users with low vision. The magnifying glass also works with the Actions button so users can quickly ask questions and get answers. And users can control the app itself with spoken requests like “zoom in” or “turn on the flashlight.”
Voice control takes on natural language
With Apple Intelligence, voice control becomes more intuitive than ever, using natural language to help users with a range of physical disabilities control their iPhone and iPad using only their voice. With the new flexible input, users can describe buttons and controls on the screen in natural language instead of having to remember exact labels or numbers. The “say what you see” option is great for navigating any app, including apps with a visual layout like Apple Maps or Files, using intuitive language like “tap the best restaurant guide” or “tap the purple folder.” It can also help users overcome obstacles when elements are not properly marked for accessibility.3
Accessibility Reader adapts even more
Accessibility Reader is an adapted reading experience for users with a wide range of disabilities, from dyslexia to low vision, and with Apple Intelligence, the reading experience is more accessible than ever. Accessibility Reader works on more complex source materials such as scientific articles, handles multi-column text, images and tables. On-demand summaries give readers an opportunity to get an overview of an article before diving into the details. And with a new built-in translation, users can read text in their native language while retaining custom formatting, fonts, and colors.
Generated subtitles for the video
While subtitling solutions are increasingly common for deaf or hard of hearing users, subtitles for spoken dialogue are rarely available for personal videos, content shared by friends and family, and other media. With newly generated subtitles, videos can automatically display spoken audio transcripts if subtitles are not already provided, including clips recorded on iPhone, received from friends and family, or streamed online. With on-device speech recognition, captions are privately generated and automatically displayed for non-captioned videos on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro. The appearance of subtitles can be adjusted in the video playback menu or in Settings.4
Powerful wheelchair control feature for Apple Vision Pro
For some people who use electric wheelchairs, joystick steering is not an option and alternative drive control may be a necessary part of independent mobility. The new power wheelchair control feature, which uses the precise eye tracking system on Apple Vision Pro, offers users a responsive input method for compatible alternative drive systems. With Vision Pro, eye tracking does not require frequent recalibration and works in a variety of lighting conditions.5 This feature launches with Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the US with support for both Bluetooth and wired accessories,6 and Apple will continue to work with developers to expand support for more wheelchair propulsion systems.
“Being able to control my electric wheelchair by myself is gold,” said Pat Dolan, founder of GeoALS and member of the Gleason Team Patient Advisory Committee, who has lived with ALS for 10 years. “With this new feature, Apple is developing life-enhancing technology for the people who need it most.”
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen eye-powered wheelchair systems evolve in incredible ways,” said Blair Casey, CEO of Team Gleason. “Using the eye tracking capabilities of Apple Vision Pro in this way is a huge step forward. The Gleason team is proud to support this initiative and is excited to see the benefits it can bring to people who use electric wheelchairs.”
Hikawa’s MagSafe Adaptive Accessories are now widely available
Launched worldwide today at the Apple Store online, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone is now available in three vibrant new colors. Los Angeles-based designer Bailey Hikawa developed this MagSafe accessory with accessibility in mind and in collaboration with individuals with a wide range of disabilities affecting grip, strength and mobility. The result is an adaptive grip and stand that helps users hold their iPhone in the way that works best for them. Now, in collaboration between Hikawa and PopSockets, this unique adaptive accessory is available worldwide for the first time.7
“Apple’s work in accessibility — which involves including the disability community from the earliest stages of design in order to create the best possible product for everyone — was the driving force behind this project,” Hikawa said. “Our studio is built on intuitive, beautiful accessories for the iPhone, and it was a great privilege to create a product that embraces the iPhone as an assistive device and pays homage to accessibility.”
On May 20, Apple The Grove in Los Angeles will host a Today at Apple session with Hikawa, author Shane Burcaw, and actor Alex Baron to discuss the iPhone’s role as a key assistive technology and how accessible design can create inclusive and enjoyable experiences for everyone.
Another update
- Indications of vehicle movement to come up with visionOS, which can help reduce motion sickness in people who use Apple Vision Pro as a passenger in a moving vehicle. Vision Pro will also support facial gestures to perform taps and system actions, plus a new way to select elements with the eyes while in use Stay Check.
- Tap Accommodation provide a new way to customize settings in iOS and iPadOS.
- Made for iPhone hearing aids more reliable pairing and handing between Apple devices with improved settings in iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS.
- Larger text tvOS support is coming, so visually impaired viewers can increase the size of text on the screen to make it easier to read.
- Name recognitionwhich can alert deaf or hard of hearing users when someone says their name, works in over 50 languages worldwide.
- For developers of sign language interpretation applications, the new API supports users in adding a human interpreter to an ongoing one FaceTime video call.
- Those who have difficulty interacting with traditional controllers can now connect a Sony Access controller as a game controller with iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Users can configure the joystick, nine built-in buttons, and up to four additional external buttons or special switches to customize the layout. They can also combine two controllers for a deeply personalized gaming experience.
About Apple
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with the iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms—iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS—provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and enable people to enjoy breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV. More than 150,000 Apple employees are dedicated to making the world’s best products and leaving the world better than we found it.
- Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for the following languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, visit support.apple.com/en-us/121115.
- You should not rely on VoiceOver and Magnifier in circumstances where injury or harm could occur, in high-risk situations, for navigation, or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
- Voice control based on Apple Intelligence will be available in English in the US, Canada, UK and Australia.
- The generated subtitles will be available in English in the US and Canada.
- This feature and Apple Vision Pro are intended for use in controlled environments. For more information, visit support.apple.com/en-us/118507.
- Wired connection requires purchase of Apple Vision Pro Developer Strap.
- Customers can purchase Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone on apple.com in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, UK and USA.
Press Contacts
Will Butler
Apple
willbutler@apple.com
Apple Media Helpline
media.help@apple.com
