Apple has announced a suite of powerful new accessibility features across its ecosystem, aimed at enhancing digital inclusivity for users with disabilities. Among the most notable additions is comprehensive support for braille note takers, along with a range of other tools designed to assist users with vision, cognitive, hearing, and mobility challenges.

The announcement, made ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, reflects Apple's continued investment in accessible technology, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to making its devices usable by everyone.

Braille Note Taker Integration

A major highlight of the update is expanded compatibility for braille note takers—portable electronic devices that allow blind users to read and write in braille. These devices are now more deeply integrated with iOS and iPadOS, offering smoother connectivity, improved navigation, and support for a wider range of commands.

With this update, users can perform complex functions such as editing documents, managing emails, browsing the web, and navigating apps using only their braille device. Apple has also improved real-time syncing between braille displays and VoiceOver, its built-in screen reader, reducing lag and enhancing responsiveness.

Eye Tracking on iPad

Another groundbreaking addition is native eye-tracking support for iPad. Leveraging machine learning and advanced camera technology, users with limited mobility can now control their iPad using only their eyes. This feature enables intuitive navigation, gesture simulation, and app interaction without the need for touch input or external accessories.

Apple has emphasized that all eye-tracking data is processed on-device, ensuring privacy and security.

Vocal Shortcuts and Music Haptics

Apple has also introduced Vocal Shortcuts, a feature that allows users to assign custom voice commands to system functions and app tasks. Unlike Siri, these shortcuts are user-defined and can trigger multiple actions simultaneously, offering an alternative control method for those with speech or motor difficulties.

For the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Apple is rolling out Music Haptics, a feature that uses the Taptic Engine in iPhones to translate audio cues into rhythmic vibrations. This makes it possible for users to “feel” the beat and structure of music in real time, offering a more immersive audio experience without relying on sound alone.

Accessibility Across the Ecosystem

The new features extend across Apple’s platforms, including macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Notably, Apple Watch will gain additional gestures for AssistiveTouch, and macOS users will benefit from expanded Voice Control vocabulary and improved screen reader functionality.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, stated in a press release: “We believe that accessibility is a human right, and these updates are part of our mission to design products that work for everyone. We’re proud to offer tools that empower people to connect, create, and thrive—regardless of ability.”

Availability

These features are set to roll out later this year with upcoming updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and other Apple operating systems. Developers will gain early access through beta releases, allowing them to begin optimizing their apps for the new tools.

As technology continues to evolve, Apple’s latest efforts signal a strong push toward a more inclusive digital future—one where accessibility isn’t an add-on, but a core design principle.