Apple is commemorating Global Accessibility Awareness Day — observed annually on the third Thursday of May — with a comprehensive week-long initiative that spans its hardware, software, and services ecosystem. From May 16 to May 22, 2022, the company is rolling out new content, live events, and feature updates designed to make its products more inclusive for users with disabilities. This year’s celebration builds on Apple’s long-standing commitment to accessibility, a core value that CEO Tim Cook has frequently described as a fundamental human right.
Expanded SignTime Service and In-Store Sessions
One of the most significant announcements is the expansion of Apple’s SignTime service to Canada on May 19. SignTime provides on-demand sign language interpretation for Apple Store and Apple Support customers via video relay. The service, which previously launched in the United States (using American Sign Language), the United Kingdom (British Sign Language), and France (French Sign Language), will now support Canadian users in both ASL and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). This initiative eliminates a major barrier for Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers, enabling them to communicate directly with interpreters without needing prior appointments or third-party services.
Additionally, Apple Stores worldwide are hosting live sessions throughout the week to demonstrate accessibility features on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. These sessions cover topics such as VoiceOver, Magnifier, Switch Control, and AssistiveTouch. For those unable to attend in person, Apple Support’s social media channels are sharing how-to videos and tips. The company has also published a dedicated accessibility guide on its website, which includes step-by-step tutorials for enabling and customizing built-in features.
Accessibility Assistant Shortcut for Mac and Apple Watch
Apple is also introducing a new Accessibility Assistant shortcut within the Shortcuts app, available on both Mac and Apple Watch. This intelligent tool asks users a series of questions about their preferences and needs — such as vision, hearing, motor skills, and cognitive abilities — and then recommends a personalized set of accessibility settings. For example, if a user indicates difficulty reading small text, the shortcut might suggest enabling Larger Text, Dynamic Type, or Zoom. If a user reports challenges with touch gestures, it could recommend AssistiveTouch or a switch control setup. The shortcut is designed to reduce friction for new users who may not be aware of all the available options, and it can be run repeatedly as needs change.
Fitness+ Workouts with Enhanced Accessibility
Apple Fitness+ has received several accessibility-focused updates. Trainer Bakari Williams delivers a special workout using American Sign Language to introduce features like Audio Hints — short, descriptive verbal cues that benefit blind or low-vision users by providing real-time feedback on posture, form, and pacing. Moreover, all Fitness+ workouts and meditations now include closed captions in six languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Japanese), and trainers demonstrate modifications for each exercise to accommodate different fitness levels and physical abilities.
Two popular program series are also being renamed to reflect inclusivity: “Time to Walk” becomes “Time to Walk or Push,” and “Time to Run” becomes “Time to Run or Push,” explicitly welcoming wheelchair users. The episodes feature inspiring stories from athletes, celebrities, and everyday people, and the audio descriptions have been enhanced to convey scene settings and non-verbal elements for users who are blind or have low vision.
Apple Maps: Parks Access for All Guide
Apple Maps has launched a new guide titled “Parks Access for All,” created in partnership with Gallaudet University — a world-renowned institution for Deaf and hard of hearing students. The guide highlights accessible features, programs, and services at national and state parks across the United States. Users can discover trails with paved surfaces, visitor centers with ASL interpretation, audio guides for blind visitors, and sensory-friendly programs for individuals on the autism spectrum. The guide also spotlights businesses that prioritize Deaf culture, such as coffee shops and museums that employ Deaf staff or offer sign language classes.
This initiative aligns with Tim Cook’s recent commencement speech at Gallaudet University, where he emphasized the importance of designing technology that respects and amplifies diversity. The guide is available now in the Maps app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple Music’s ‘Saylist’ Playlists
Apple Music is introducing “Saylist” playlists — curated collections that focus on specific sounds, words, or themes. Originally designed for individuals practicing vocal sounds or undergoing speech therapy, these playlists are open to all listeners. Each playlist centers around a particular sound (e.g., “S” sounds, vowel intonations, or rhythmic patterns), making them a useful tool for speech-language pathologists and their clients. The playlists also include commentary from speech therapists explaining each selection.
Cultural Representation Across Apple TV+, App Store, Books, and Podcasts
Apple TV+ is highlighting movies and series that authentically portray people with disabilities. Featured titles include “CODA,” starring Marlee Matlin as a Deaf mother, “Eternals” with Lauren Ridloff as a Deaf superhero, and “Introducing, Selma Blair,” a documentary about the actress’s life with multiple sclerosis. The App Store is promoting accessibility-focused apps such as Seeing AI (a Microsoft app for object recognition) and Proloquo2Go (a symbol-based communication app). Developer stories showcase how creators are building inclusive experiences, including one from a blind developer who uses VoiceOver to code.
Apple Books has assembled a collection of works by authors with disabilities, covering memoirs, fiction, and nonfiction. Apple Podcasts is spotlighting shows that explore how technology advances accessibility, including interviews with assistive technology pioneers and discussions about universal design principles. These curated sections are available throughout the week across Apple’s platforms.
In a separate press release, Apple also previewed new accessibility features coming later in 2022, such as Door Detection for people who are blind or have low vision, Live Captions for real-time audio transcription, and Apple Watch Mirroring for users with motor impairments. These features exemplify Apple’s ongoing investment in R&D for accessibility, which the company often integrates into its operating systems without additional cost. As Apple continues to refine its products, the company remains a leader in embedding accessibility into the core user experience, ensuring that everyone — regardless of ability — can benefit from the power of technology.
Source: 9to5Mac News