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The Mac Observer Show

Accessing Accessibility with Shelly Brisbin - TMO Show 2024-06-14

Ken_Ray ·

Shelly Brisbin knows a lot about a lot, including accessibility and tech. She’s a producer and reporter at Texas Standard, a contributor to Six Colors, and host of the podcast “Parallel.” Recorded pre-WWDC2024, Shelly joins us to talk about what everyone needs to know about accessibility in tech, her time with Apple Vision Pro, her thoughts on AI and Apple and AI, and the tech she wants more than any other.

Cool Stuff Found

Discussing Accessibility Innovation at Apple

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple’s Senior Director of Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives, Sarah Herrlinger, and accessibility engineering lead for iOS, Chris Fleizach, recently joined TechCrunch editor Matthew Panzarino for a Sight Global Tech conversation. They outlined the company’s latest accessibility technology and discussed how Apple works to foster a culture of innovation, empowerment, and inclusion.

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Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s Global Accessibility Chief Talks Tech

Andrew Orr ·

Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s Global Accessibility chief, talks about new accessibility features in iOS 13 and macOS Catalina.

Accessibility, as it always does, plays a significant role in not only the conference itself — the sessions, labs and get-togethers all are mainstays of the week — but also in the software Apple shows off. Of particular interest this year is Apple’s Voice Control feature, available for macOS Catalina and iOS 13 devices, which allows users to control their Macs and iPhones using only the sound of their voices.

The new features, such as Voice Control, are amazing.

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The iPad is a Wonderful Accessibility Tool

Andrew Orr ·

The iPad is a wonderful accessibility tool, and one man with Down syndrome uses his iPad to keep up with his family more easily (via The Loop).

This guy, whose genetic abnormality was once thought to cap his learning ability at the kindergarten level, is becoming adept at computer/information age technology.

You folks made that possible. You paid the taxes that produce the classes and programs that give those of us who have special needs the needed special care.

While the idea of using an iPad as your only device enrages so-called “pundits”, people like Greg remind us that the iPad is the computer for everyone.

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Apple Wins Prestigious Award for Device Accessibility

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple has been given the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award from the Center for Hearing and Communication for its work towards creating accessible products for those living with disabilities. Senior Director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, Sarah Herrlinger, will accept the prestigious award on behalf of the firm. Given the focus that Apple puts on diversity and accessibility, the award is likely to be a source of pride at 1 Infinite Loop. Indeed, in an interview with the CHC’s Director Laurie Hanin, Ms Herrlinger said: “Our products should reduce barriers so you can do just that, regardless of ability. This work is never done. But it’s exactly the kind of design and engineering challenge Apple was built for.”  AppleInsider rightly notes Apple’s long history with accessibility enabling technology:

The company has for years incorporated accessibility assets like VoiceOver screen reader technology and system-level integration with hearing aids in its iOS and Mac devices, and continues to make advancements toward improving the user experience for people living with hearing loss. In 2016, for example, Apple rolled out AirPods-style streaming and Live Listen support for Made For iPhone hearing aids.