Apple frequently celebrates its robust accessibility features, but to commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the company has placed apps and developers in the spotlight.
Apple's Website highlights accessibility on Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Apple's efforts to commemorating Global Accessibility Awareness Day start with a banner promoting that Apple products "Works the way you do" on the main website, and range into various editorials in the App Store Today page. Apple likes to make their own operating system features known on a regular basis, but on Thursday, the company has gone a step further and is discussing what developers do for accessibility too.
In the App Store, Apple has their own page with editorialized content that highlights apps and developers called "Today." The stories for Global Accessibility Awareness Day include a few interesting stories highlighting specific apps and their accessibility features.
Apps shown in App Store Today stories
- Athlete Rob Balucashelped bring hand cycling to Strava
- The app Voice Dream Reader became an essential app-- largely by accident
- The story behind Tint's innovative colorblind mode
- How the app SonicCloud is helping the hard of hearing
- How Toca Life strives to help all kids see themselves in its games
This follows Apple releasing a Today at Apple at Home video about how to use the Clips app, but done entirely in American Sign Language.
Additionally, Apple CEO Tim Cook sent out a tweet stating that "accessibility is our collective responsibility" in acknowledgment of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
This year's #GAAD comes at a time when ensuring everyone has the tools they need to stay connected has never been more important. Accessibility is our collective responsibility. Apple is committed to making products and services that enable, empower and inspire every person.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 21, 2020
Apple released macOS Catalina and iOS 13 in 2019 with huge changes to accessibility functions as well. Functions like Voice Control let you control your devices entirely with just your voice, and Voice Over will read content on your screen back to you.