Apple Highlights Accessibility Features in New 'Designed for' Video Series

Apple today updated its YouTube channel with a series of Accessibility videos, highlighting the different ways the Accessibility features built into the iPhone and iPad are used to help people accomplish a range of tasks.

In one video, for example, a sight impaired singer and drummer named Carlos Vasquez shares how he uses features like VoiceOver to promote his band on social media sites.

Carlos is the lead singer, drummer and PR manager for his metal band Distartica. Using VoiceOver, with Screen Curtain on iPhone, he can hail a ride, take a photo, and get the word out about his band's album release while keeping his screen entirely black.

Another video features a middle school band teacher named Shane, who uses Made for iPhone hearing aids along with her iPhone to listen to her students perform.

Shane is a middle school band and choir director who uses Made for iPhone hearing aids in her classroom so she can hear every note.

There are a total of seven videos on Apple's YouTube channel, each of which features a unique, personalized story highlighting the myriad ways Accessibility features benefit iOS users.

Back in October, Apple also published a new Accessibility website that demonstrates the extensive Accessibility options that Apple has built into its products and how those features are used to make Apple devices accessible to all.

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Top Rated Comments

jeremiah256 Avatar
101 months ago
I've got to say, these seven, plus the barbershop ad, are some of the best ads I've ever seen. Like a Volcano and The Quad Father ones were especially were incredibly moving[I].[/I]
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djcerla Avatar
101 months ago
Accessibility features that materially transform the lives of millions of people.
World's leading committment to green energy, sustainability and recycling.
Strong poltical stances about encryption and inclusion.
New products that quickly dominated their categories.
Strong financial/stock market performance, plus the biggest capital return program in history.

And yet, Tim Cook is the worst possible CEO for Apple, according to the very vocal minority on MR forums.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hugo7 Avatar
101 months ago
Amazing stories that touched me!

After watching Designed for Patrick L. ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=whioDJ8doYA&t') I thought: A MBP touch bar must be useless for blind people.
It seems that less physical or skeuomorphic ('https://www.google.es/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=skeuomorphic&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYrZekx_bTAhVLsBQKHapADHkQvwUIJCgA'), means less accessible.
I must admit to not having used the touchbar with accessibility enabled but if it's anything like the iPhone (which is essentially just a flat piece of glass with virtual controls), then I'd questioned your statement.

I've often enabled VoiceOver on my iPhone and, for apps supporting the feature, I'm blown away by how good it is for navigating the UI. This is one area where Apple has nailed it, so I'd be surprised if they overlooked accessibility usage with the touchbar.

Aside from the accessibility aspect, the touchbar still feels like a solution in search of a problem.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuadG5Man Avatar
101 months ago
Accessibility features that materially transform the lives of millions of people.
World's leading committment to green energy, sustainability and recycling.
Strong poltical stances about encryption and inclusion.
New products that quickly dominated their categories.
Strong financial/stock market performance, plus the biggest capital return program in history.

And yet, Tim Cook is the worst possible CEO for Apple, according to the very vocal minority on MR forums.
TIM COOK HAS BEEN AMAZEBALLS, Steve chose well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Little dude Avatar
101 months ago
I agree with these well written responses. Apple did not have to include all the accessibility options it does. They should shout it from the rooftops that they do. I don't see any other companies committed to helping everyone use their products. It amazes me that this article garnered 7 responses (until mine) and the article before it concerning Apple Pay in Italy draws 10 times as many from people complaining left and right about Apple Pay not being available in Germany, etc. Talk about misled priorities. I'd rather struggle with inserting a credit card with a chip and waiting a second or two, if it means that people with disabilities are getting help from companies like Apple.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shk718 Avatar
101 months ago
Accessibility features that materially transform the lives of millions of people.
World's leading committment to green energy, sustainability and recycling.
Strong poltical stances about encryption and inclusion.
New products that quickly dominated their categories.
Strong financial/stock market performance, plus the biggest capital return program in history.

And yet, Tim Cook is the worst possible CEO for Apple, according to the very vocal minority on MR forums.
I agree with you Tim is doing a great job - the people here are complaining for the sake of complaining. They have nothing better to do with their time. If half the rumored products Apple is working on come to fruition we are in for some amazingly innovative times. Their health initiatives alone have the potential to change the world.

Apple has always been at the forefront of accessibility. I'm glad they're showing the world these features and hopefully will inspire more companies to follow suite.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)