Apple recently updated its online storefront with the addition of a new "Accessibility" category, which is broken up into sections pertaining to the assistance of individuals with impairments related to vision, physical and motor skills, and learning and literacy (via Amvsement).

There are 15 total products broken up into each of the three sections, with further sub-categories allowing users to shop the online store specifically looking for accessories that support the iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Some of the products include the HumanWare Brailliant BI 32 Braille Display that sits in front of a Mac's keyboard to allow anyone who is blind the ability to fully navigate OS X -- and even iOS -- with a lightweight, Bluetooth-enabled braille keyboard.

apple accessibility store
Some of the other accessibility products offer more creative outlets, like the Skoog 2.0 Tactile Musical Interface for iPad, which lets anyone create music using the multi-purpose buttons on each side of the 5-sided cube. Thanks to the Skoog's versatility in tapping, squeezing, or twisting to create responsive sound, the accessory is said to encourage "expressive music making for children, parents, teachers, and musicians."

It was rumored late last year that Apple would begin selling accessibility accessories in its physical retail stores in "early 2016," but it seems the company decided to rollout a few options to its online store first. For anyone close to an Apple Store location, Apple is offering a Personal Pickup option for the new accessories, as well.

The new product category follows Apple's ongoing accessibility efforts that encourage the use of its products by as wide a group of people as possible, including those with physical and mental impairments.

Read More: Apple Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month With Two New Videos

Top Rated Comments

rdlink Avatar
128 months ago
As someone who has, thankfully never needed accessibility features I have always been impressed by the efforts that Apple has made over the years to make their software and hardware accessible. There's no real money in doing so, but they have been putting a lot of effort into it for many decades.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NT1440 Avatar
128 months ago
I took an English class a few years ago with a blind woman. She was using a stock Macbook Air without issue.

Apple has always been leaps and bounds ahead of other OEM's when it comes to accessibility features being rolled right into the core of their products.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corrode Avatar
128 months ago
I love Apple for this kind of stuff.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
128 months ago
Applause... Applause... Applause... Applause...

Really nothing else needs to be said!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdlink Avatar
128 months ago
I think it's great that Apple is highlighting accessibility. They rightfully deserve praise for helping to raise awareness of the options for those with disabilities or challenges who want to use iOS and OSX. We differ in opinion regarding your leaps and bounds comment. It's just not true. The good thing is, it's not true because pretty much all the major tech players have dedicated a fair amount of effort to the area of accessibility. Again, that's a damn good thing. The characterization of Apple being leaps and bounds ahead isn't accurate. That is, unless you have some supporting evidence or anecdotes that make you feel that way.
Pretty easy. I have supported a blind user over the years. His Windows PC required three third-party software products that together cost more than the computer in order to provide functionality that wasn't quite as good as what the Mac has baked in. Same was true with his telephone. He had to carry a Symbian phone that required third party software to be somewhat functional. His iPhone is usable for him right out of the box.

So yes, leaps and bounds.
[doublepost=1462486975][/doublepost]
With my increasing disillusionment with Apple's Mac and OS X lines (the prolonged wait for an MBP update; dropping their focus on Pro apps and hardware), their continued focus on a likely non-profitable aspect of their computer business does encourage me to think well of them.
The hard-hearted part of me can't help but conclude, however, that it's mostly because they couldn't stomach the backlash if they were to drop support for such a sympathetic customer base (look what happened after the UK's Conservative Chancellor's Budget adversely affected disabled welfare claimants…)
So, if your "hard-hearted" voice is always there talking in your ear perhaps nobody can really do anything nice for you...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
128 months ago
I hope I never need to use any kind of accessibility feature other than for aesthetics. Good on Apple for upping the game on accessibility.

Kinda shocked no one has said anything bad about this story yet. Usually there are people moaning about something....
This story stinks. (Actually not but I wanted to be the first to blow up a perfectly nice story!)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

10 Reasons to Wait for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:12 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...