Apple accessibility features are getting their biggest upgrade in years, with Apple Intelligence powering new capabilities across VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control and Accessibility Reader on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro and Apple TV.
The update arrives later this year and reaches into VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control and Accessibility Reader. Apple also demonstrated eye-controlled power wheelchair driving on Vision Pro, automatically generated subtitles for previously uncaptioned videos, and the Australian arrival of the Hikawa Grip and Stand, which is an adaptive MagSafe accessory developed alongside disability communities.
Here’s a a quick take of the new features:
Low-vision features powered by Apple Intelligence
VoiceOver and Magnifier, the tools blind and low-vision users rely on to read screens and surroundings, both pick up Apple Intelligence smarts.
Image Explorer in VoiceOver gives more detailed descriptions of photos, scanned bills and other visual contentLive Recognition lets users tap the Action button on iPhone to ask about what the camera is pointed at, then ask follow-up questions in natural languageMagnifier brings the same descriptive engine to a high-contrast interface designed for low-vision usersMagnifier now responds to spoken commands such as “zoom in” or “turn on torch”
Live Recognition in action, providing information about what you’re looking at. Source: AppleVoice Control gets natural language
Voice Control, which lets users with physical disabilities drive iPhone and iPad entirely by voice, learns natural language.
No more memorising exact button labels or numbersDescribe what is on screen with phrases like “tap the guide about best restaurants” or “tap the purple folder”Helps when developers have not labelled controls properly for assistive technologyLaunches in English in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada
Apple Intelligence will understand the document you’re looking at, not just read it. Source: AppleAccessibility Reader takes on complex documents
Apple’s customised reading layer for users with dyslexia, low vision and other reading-related disabilities handles tougher source material.
Reads scientific articles with multiple columns, images and tablesOn-demand summaries give an overview before reading the full pieceBuilt-in translation works while preserving custom fonts, colours and spacingGenerated subtitles arrive for any video
Apple is adding on-device generated subtitles to any uncaptioned video across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Vision Pro.
Works on personal clips, videos shared by friends and family, and streaming contentSubtitles are generated locally on-device for privacyAppearance is customisable in the playback menu or SettingsEnglish-only at launch, available first in the US and Canada
Live captions generated for any video. Source: AppleVision Pro adds eye-controlled power wheelchair driving
A very cool feature, Apple Vision Pro’s precision eye-tracking becomes a drive input for compatible power wheelchairs.
For users who cannot drive a power wheelchair with a joystickEye tracking does not need frequent recalibration and works in varied lightingLaunches with the Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the United StatesSupports both Bluetooth and wired connections (wired requires the Apple Vision Pro Developer Strap)Apple says it will work with developers to add more drive systems over time
“The option to control my power wheelchair on my own is gold to me,” said Pat Dolan, founder of GeoALS and a member of Team Gleason’s patient advisory board, who has lived with ALS for 10 years. “With this new feature, Apple is developing life-enhancing technology for the people who need it most.”
The Vision Pro interface for controlling a motorised wheelchair. Source: AppleHikawa Grip and Stand for iPhone lands in Australia today
Apple is launching the Hikawa Grip and Stand for iPhone, an adaptive MagSafe accessory, in Australia today.
Designed by Los Angeles-based designer Bailey HikawaDeveloped in collaboration with disability communities affecting grip, strength and mobility.A partnership between Hikawa and PopSocketsAvailable in three new colours on the Apple Store online
The Hikawa Grip for iPhone. Source: AppleSmaller accessibility updates landing later this year
Apple also previewed a string of smaller updates rolling out across its platforms later in 2026.
Vehicle Motion Cues come to visionOS to reduce motion sickness for Vision Pro passengers in moving vehiclesVision Pro supports face gestures for taps and system actions, plus a new eye-based selection option for Dwell ControlTouch Accommodations get a refreshed setup in iOS and iPadOSLarger Text support arrives on tvOS for low-vision viewersMade for iPhone hearing aids pair and hand off between Apple devices more reliably.Name Recognition alerts deaf and hard-of-hearing users when their name is spoken, in more than 50 languagesSony Access controller now connects as a game controller on iPhone, iPad and MacA new API lets sign language interpretation apps add a human interpreter into a FaceTime call