COOL BLIND TECH

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE BEST ASSISTIVE TECH NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS FROM TOP BLIND AND LOW VISION EXPERTS. AN ENTERTAINING AND TRUSTWORTHY DISCUSSION ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

American Council of the Blind

United Airlines updates app with accessible features for people with vision loss

United Airlines recently launched a redesigned version of its mobile app, with new enhancements intended to make travel easier for people with vision loss.

What are some of the accessibility features in the latest update?
Throughout its award-winning app, the carrier has increased colour contrast, added more space between graphics and reordered how information is displayed and announced to better integrate with the screen reader technologies like VoiceOver and TalkBack that are built into most handheld devices and read aloud on-screen messages and notifications. By restructuring the way the information is organized on the app, screen readers are better able to convert text to audio in the proper, logical sequence, allowing customers to better understand and navigate the app. read more

Apple TV+ Will Be Optimized for the Blind, Partially Sighted, Deaf, and Hard-of-Hearing on November 1

Apple TV+ will make it easier for those who are visually and hearing impaired to enjoy their original content in more than 100 countries and regions starting November 1.

Now that we have more information about the launch of Apple TV+, we know more about the plan for making the content accessible for the blind, partially sighted, deaf, and hard-of-hearing.

In their press release, Apple said this:

Audiences worldwide can enjoy Apple TV+ originals subtitled and/or dubbed in nearly 40 languages, including Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (SDH) or closed captions. Apple TV+ series and movies will also be available with audio descriptions in eight languages. read more

Hulu to Make its Subscription Streaming Service Accessible to Blind and Visually Impaired Customers

That’s according to a settlement agreement between Hulu and advocacy groups, who sued Los Angeles-based Hulu. Advocacy groups had sued Hulu last year in an effort to force the subscription streaming service to provide an audio track that helps people who are blind or visually impaired enjoy TV shows and movies.

Disability Rights Advocates, which brought the case, says Hulu will provide audio descriptions of scenes and facial expressions, where possible. Hulu will also update its website and software applications to ensure people can use screen readers. read more

Apple to Launch Accessibility Emojis to Better Represent Disabilities

Apple has requested the Unicode Consortium add emoji to better represent individuals with disabilities.

As noted by Emojipedia, Apple developed the new emojis in conjunction with the American Council of the Blind, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and the National Association of the Deaf. The collection includes:

  • Guide Dog With Harness
  • Service Dog With Vest and Leash
  • Person With White Cane (Male and Female)
  • Ear With Hearing Aid
  • Deaf Sign (Male and Female)
  • Person in Mechanized Wheelchair (Male and Female)
  • Person in Manual Wheelchair (Male and Female)
  • Mechanical or Prosthetic Arm and Leg

The human versions are each suggested to come in multiple skin tones, while the canine companions are differentiated based on the differing purposes of guide and service dogs. In total, 45 emoji variations have been proposed. read more

Skip to content