Apple exec highlights AI's role in helping people with disabilities

Yesterday, Apple’s global head of accessibility, Sarah Herrlinger, attended and spoke at the Web Summit Lisbon 2024 event. During her speech, Herrlinger discussed Apple’s ongoing effort to make its devices easy to use for everyone and emphasized the role of AI in helping people with disabilities.

Apple’s head of accessibility talks about the role of AI in helping people with disabilities

iFeed, a Portuguese news outlet, reported every detail that Herringler shared at the event. To catch you up, Apple has had an accessibility-focused team since 1985. Herringler pointed out the same and emphasized Apple’s commitment to ensuring accessibility as a human right “long before it was a regulatory requirement.”

Apple’s effort in this regard has been visible for years now. At present, there are a number of accessibility features integrated into its software and products. Herringler even used artificial intelligence (AI) as an example and discussed how it can help people with disabilities.

Herringler mentions plenty of examples during her speech

She noted that features like Eye Tracking allow physically challenged people to control their devices with their eyes. On top of that, Herringler mentioned the role of the Sound Recognition feature. The feature helps people with hearing issues to identify “important environmental sounds.” She added sirens, smoke alarms, and doorbells as an example in her speech.

In addition, Herrlinger highlighted how the Assistive Touch feature in Apple Watch has become handy for users. The feature allows users to navigate and use their watch with simple hand gestures. Worth noting Apple Watch Series 9 or later supports the Double Tap gesture. It allows users to interact with their watch without even touching the screen.

Talking about the tech giant’s accessible design philosophy, Herringler further noted the clinical-grade hearing features built into the AirPods Pro 2. She highlights that Apple not only sees accessibility in its devices as innovation but also as a way to “combat social stigma.”