Apple Accessibility Features for People with Disabilities

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 20 May 2021 - Updated: 21 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This report reviews the accessibility features Apple introduced in 2021 for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities and follows how those tools have developed through Apple's 2024, 2025 and 2026 announcements. Drawn directly from Apple's own newsroom and support documentation, it explains how AssistiveTouch lets people with upper body limb differences run an Apple Watch using hand gestures, how VoiceOver now reads receipts and photos in detail for blind and low vision users, and how MFi hearing aids and audiogram support help people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It also covers the SignTime sign language service and practical points on device compatibility, making it a useful reference for people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers and anyone choosing a phone, tablet or watch that fits their access needs.

At a Glance

• 1 - Background Sounds such as rain, ocean and balanced noise can play under other audio to mask distracting noise.
• 2 - Apple added built-in Eye Tracking to iPhone and iPad in 2024, using only the front-facing camera with no extra hardware.
• 3 - SignTime has grown beyond its first three sign languages and now lists options including Auslan, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish Sign Language.
• 4 - In 2025 Apple announced Switch Control support for brain computer interfaces, so people with severe mobility disabilities could control a device without physical movement.

Topic Definition

Apple Accessibility Features

Apple accessibility features are the built-in settings and tools across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro that adapt how a device is seen, heard, touched and controlled so that people with vision, hearing, mobility, speech and cognitive disabilities can use it. They include the VoiceOver screen reader, Magnifier, Voice Control, Switch Control, AssistiveTouch, Eye Tracking, Live Captions, hearing device support and display and text adjustments, most of which are included in the operating system at no extra cost and are found in the Accessibility section of Settings.

Overview

In May 2021, ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple previewed a set of software features designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities [Apple, 2021]. The announcement brought hands-free control to Apple Watch, support for eye-tracking hardware on iPad, richer image descriptions in the VoiceOver screen reader, new options for Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids and Background Sounds in support of neurodiversity. These features have since shipped in Apple's operating systems, and Apple has continued to add accessibility tools each year. This article looks at what the 2021 updates do and how Apple's accessibility features have developed since.

SignTime Sign Language Support

On May 20, 2021, Apple launched SignTime, a service that lets customers contact AppleCare and Retail Customer Care through a sign language interpreter right in a web browser. It started with American Sign Language (ASL) in the U.S., British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK and French Sign Language (LSF) in France, and customers visiting Apple Store locations could also use it to reach a sign language interpreter without booking ahead [Apple, 2021].

SignTime works as a video relay service. The customer allows the browser to use the camera and microphone, signs to an interpreter, and the interpreter speaks with Apple Support and translates both ways. Apple now lists SignTime in ASL for the U.S. and Canada, as well as Australian Sign Language (Auslan), BSL, LSF, German Sign Language (DGS), Italian Sign Language (LIS), Japanese Sign Language (JSL), Korean Sign Language (KSL) and Spanish Sign Language (LSE) [Apple Support, n.d.-b].

AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch

AssistiveTouch for watchOS allows people with upper body limb differences to use Apple Watch without touching the display or controls. The watch combines its gyroscope, accelerometer and optical heart rate sensor with on-device machine learning to detect subtle muscle movement and tendon activity, so users can move a cursor with hand gestures such as a pinch or a clench. This makes it easier to answer incoming calls, control an onscreen motion pointer and open Notification Center or Control Center [Apple, 2021].

By default, a tap moves forward, a double tap moves back, a clench selects the highlighted item and a double clench opens the Action Menu. A Motion Pointer lets the wearer control the watch by tilting it, and the gestures can be changed in Settings [Apple Support, n.d.-a].

Eye Tracking on iPad and iPhone

In 2021, Apple added support in iPadOS for compatible third-party MFi eye-tracking devices. The pointer follows the person's gaze onscreen, and holding the gaze on an item performs an action such as a tap [Apple, 2021]. For people with ALS, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and other conditions that limit hand use, this offered a way to use a standard tablet with existing eye-gaze hardware.

Apple went further in 2024, announcing built-in Eye Tracking for iPad and iPhone that uses the front-facing camera and needs no extra hardware or accessories. Users move through apps with their eyes and use Dwell Control to activate buttons, swipes and other gestures [Apple, 2024]. In 2026, Apple said Apple Vision Pro would use eye tracking to drive compatible power wheelchair systems, starting in the U.S. with Tolt and LUCI [Apple, 2026]. More options are covered in our section on mobility aids and devices.

VoiceOver Image Descriptions

VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader for people who are blind or have low vision. The 2021 update let users hear more detail about people, text, table data and other objects within images. A photo of a receipt can be read like a table, by row and column with headers, and VoiceOver can describe a person's position in relation to other objects in a photo. With Markup, users can also add their own image descriptions to family photos [Apple, 2021]. Readers can learn more about VoiceOver apps and how they work.

Apple's 2026 announcement expands this with Image Explorer, which gives more detailed descriptions of photos, scanned bills and personal records, and with Live Recognition, which lets users press the iPhone Action button and ask questions about what the camera sees [Apple, 2026].

Hearing Aids, Audiograms and Live Captions

In 2021, Apple added support in its MFi hearing devices program for bi-directional hearing aids. Their built-in microphones let people who are deaf or hard of hearing hold hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations. Apple also added audiogram support to Headphone Accommodations, so users can import results from a paper or PDF hearing test to tune audio to their hearing. Headphone Accommodations amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies [Apple, 2021].

Later updates built on this work. Music Haptics, announced in 2024, uses the iPhone Taptic Engine to play taps, textures and vibrations matched to songs in Apple Music [Apple, 2024]. In 2025, Apple announced Live Listen with Live Captions on Apple Watch, which shows real-time captions of what a paired iPhone hears [Apple, 2025a]. For more on devices, see our hearing aids and devices section.

Background Sounds for Focus and Calm

Everyday sounds can be distracting or overwhelming, especially for some autistic people and people with ADHD or sensory processing differences. Background Sounds plays balanced, bright or dark noise, or ocean, rain or stream sounds, to mask unwanted environmental noise. The sounds can mix into or duck under other audio and system sounds [Apple, 2021]. In 2025, Apple announced new EQ settings and an option to stop Background Sounds automatically after a set time [Apple, 2025a].

Other Features From the 2021 Update

• Sound Actions for Switch Control: Replaces physical buttons and switches with mouth sounds, such as a click, pop or "ee" sound, for people who are non-speaking and have limited mobility.
• Display and Text Size: Settings for people with colorblindness or other vision conditions can be set app by app for all supported apps.
• Memoji Customizations: New options represent users with oxygen tubes, cochlear implants and a soft helmet for headwear.

Apple also marked Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2021 with sign language greetings and closed captions in every Apple Fitness+ workout, "Time to Walk or Push" episodes for wheelchair users, a Shortcuts for Accessibility gallery, live Today at Apple sessions in ASL and BSL, and curated collections in the App Store, Apple TV app, Apple Books and Apple Maps, including guides from Gallaudet University and reading recommendations from disability rights activist Judith Heumann [Apple, 2021].

Newer Apple Accessibility Features

Apple's accessibility announcements in the years since 2021 have added tools for a wider range of needs. Key additions include:

• Listen for Atypical Speech (2024): Uses on-device machine learning to improve speech recognition for people with acquired or progressive conditions that affect speech, such as cerebral palsy, ALS or stroke [Apple, 2024].
• Vehicle Motion Cues (2024): Shows animated dots at the edges of the screen that reflect a vehicle's movement, which can help reduce motion sickness for passengers [Apple, 2024].
• Accessibility Nutrition Labels (2025): A section on App Store product pages that shows which accessibility features an app or game supports, such as VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text and captions [Apple, 2025a].
• Magnifier for Mac and Braille Access (2025): Magnifier uses a connected camera to zoom in on screens, whiteboards and documents, while Braille Access turns iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Vision Pro into a braille note-taker with Nemeth Braille for math and science [Apple, 2025a].
• Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (2025): A new protocol lets people with severe mobility disabilities control a device without physical movement [Apple, 2025a].
• Generated Subtitles (2026): On-device speech recognition creates subtitles for video that has no captions, initially in English in the U.S. and Canada [Apple, 2026].

Accessibility Reader, Braille Access and Magnifier for Mac were included in Apple's iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 releases in September 2025, although some features may not be available in every region or language [Apple, 2025b].

Getting Started With Apple Accessibility Settings

Most of these features are built into Apple's operating systems and can be turned on in the Accessibility section of Settings. Some, such as MFi hearing aids, third-party eye-tracking hardware or compatible wheelchair systems, need supported equipment. Feature availability depends on the device model, software version, region and language, so it is worth checking Apple's support pages before buying a device. People who are unsure which tools fit their needs can ask an occupational therapist, audiologist or assistive technology specialist for advice. Readers can find more tools in our disability apps section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Apple accessibility features cost extra?

No. Most Apple accessibility features are built into the operating system and are included at no extra cost. Some features, such as hearing aid streaming or third-party switch and eye-gaze control, need compatible hardware that is bought separately.

How can I turn accessibility features on or off quickly?

On iPhone and iPad you can set up the Accessibility Shortcut in Settings, then triple-click the side or Home button to turn chosen features like VoiceOver, Zoom or AssistiveTouch on and off. You can also add accessibility controls to Control Center.

Will these accessibility features work on my older iPhone or iPad?

It depends on the device model and the software version it can run. Newer features often need recent hardware, so check the requirements on Apple support pages or ask at an Apple Store before upgrading.

Is the data from Apple Eye Tracking shared with Apple?

Apple says the data used to set up and control Eye Tracking is kept securely on the device and is not shared with Apple.

Can Apple Eye Tracking replace a dedicated eye-gaze communication device?

For some people it may work well for everyday tasks, but dedicated eye-gaze communication systems often offer more precise tracking and specialized speech software. A speech-language pathologist or assistive technology specialist can help decide which option suits a person's needs.

What are Made for iPhone hearing aids?

Made for iPhone hearing aids are hearing devices built to connect directly to Apple devices over Bluetooth. They can stream phone calls, music and other audio and let users adjust settings from their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

Are Apple accessibility features useful for seniors?

Yes. Many older adults use features such as Larger Text, Zoom, Magnifier, Live Captions, hearing device support and Fall Detection on Apple Watch to make their devices easier and safer to use as their vision, hearing or dexterity changes.

Can a caregiver help set up accessibility features on an iPhone?

Yes. A family member or caregiver can turn on and adjust features in the Accessibility section of Settings, and Apple has announced tools for sharing accessibility settings with another iPhone or iPad. The person using the device should always be involved in choosing the settings that work for them.

References:

• Apple. (2021, May 19). Apple previews powerful software updates designed for people with disabilities. Apple Newsroom.
• Apple. (2024, May). Apple announces new accessibility features, including Eye Tracking. Apple Newsroom.
• Apple. (2025a, May 13). Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year. Apple Newsroom.
• Apple. (2025b, September 15). New versions of Apple's software platforms are now available. Apple Newsroom.
• Apple. (2026, May 19). Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence. Apple Newsroom.
• Apple Support. (n.d.-a). Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch. Apple Watch User Guide.
• Apple Support. (n.d.-b). How to contact Apple in American Sign Language (ASL) using SignTime.

More on this topic: Disability Apps - Electronics and Software - Hearing Aids and Devices

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: What stands out across five years of Apple's accessibility work is how many features that once needed specialist equipment are now built into everyday devices - eye control that required third-party hardware in 2021 runs on a front-facing camera today, and the App Store's Accessibility Nutrition Labels now let people check an app's support for captions, larger text or voice control before downloading it. That shift matters for the millions of people who rely on assistive technology, because mainstream devices are usually cheaper, easier to replace and better supported than dedicated systems. Still, built-in tools do not suit every person or every condition, and availability varies by device, software version, region and language, so readers with complex needs will get the best results by testing features on their own device and talking with a therapist or assistive technology specialist about what fits their daily life.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.