Apple Details New AI-Powered Accessibility Features Coming Later This Year

Apple revealed today how its Apple Intelligence system on its recent mobile devices will soon enable new AI-powered accessibility features in VoiceOver, Magnifier, and more. The company also announced a new way to control power wheelchairs with an Apple Vision Pro headset, as well as on-device generated subtitles for uncaptioned video content.

“The accessibility features our users rely on every day become even more powerful with Apple Intelligence,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “With these updates, we’re bringing new, intuitive options for input, exploration, and personalization — designed to protect users’ privacy at every step.”

While Apple didn’t explicitly mention the ’27 releases of its software platforms, we can suspect that the major updates, which will be officially announced during its WWDC introducing keynote on June 8, will include these new accessibility features. Here’s everything Apple announced today:

VoiceOver and Magnifier updates: The Image Explorer feature in VoiceOver will be able to describe any visual content and allow users to ask follow-up questions. Apple’s Magnifier app on iPhone will also be able to describe objects and a user’s surroundings, and it will also support voice commands for zooming in, turning on the flashlight, and more.

Natural Language support in Voice Control: The accessibility feature that lets users interact with their iPhone or iPad using voice commands will soon become more intuitive. Users will be able to use natural language to describe onscreen buttons and controls to navigate apps and experiences.

Accessibility Reader improvements: The customized reading experience will be able to summarize articles, translate content, and understand more complex materials, such as scientific articles or any content with columns, images, and tables.

Generated subtitles for video content: Apple devices that support Apple Intelligence will be able to use on-device speech recognition to generate subtitles for any video content with spoken audio.

Power wheelchair control feature for Apple Vision Pro: The precision eye-tracking system on Apple Vision Pro will offer alternative drive controls on Tolt and LUCI power wheelchair systems in the US.

Apple is also launching today the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone globally. This is a MagSafe accessory designed to help people with accessibility needs to hold an iPhone in the way that works best for them. It’s priced at $54.95 on the Apple Store, and it’s available in three colors.