A is for Apple & Accessibility
Apple & Accessibility, Ally vs Accomplice, and Architype Alphabet
IN THE MARGINS
A is for Apple & Accessibility
We know that the tech giant Apple has the money and resources to make their products and services more accessible, so to actually see implementation makes me excited!
They recently announced powerful software features designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities. Check out some of the highlights below or skip to the full article here.
Whether they are doing it for ‘feel good’ reasons or for increasing their revenue, Apple is headed in the right direction toward making the future more accessible for all. (Of course I’m concerned about the surveillance capitalism of some of these services but let’s just take this win for now haha)
ACCESSIBILITY
Apple Designing for Disabilities
SignTime
New SignTime service connects Apple Store and Apple Support customers with on-demand sign language interpreters. This enables customers to communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care by using American Sign Language (ASL) in the US, British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK, or French Sign Language (LSF) in France, right in their web browsers.
Customers visiting Apple Store locations can also use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking ahead of time.
AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch
To support users with limited mobility, AssistiveTouch for watchOS allows users with upper body limb differences to enjoy the benefits of Apple Watch without having to touch the display or controls.
Using built-in motion sensors like the gyroscope and accelerometer, along with the optical heart rate sensor and on-device machine learning, Apple Watch can detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity. This lets users navigate a cursor on the display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench.
Made for iPhone Hearing Aids and Audiogram Support
In a significant update to the Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing devices program, Apple is adding support for new bi-directional hearing aids. The microphones in these new hearing aids enable those who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing to have hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations.
Apple is also bringing support for recognizing audiograms — charts that show the results of a hearing test — to Headphone Accommodations. Users can quickly customize their audio with their latest hearing test results imported from a paper or PDF audiogram.
As someone with hearing loss that is more rare than typical types, this was especially interesting to me because oftentimes default hearing aid settings don't accommodate my type of loss. Customizing audio based on my specific chart could be a game changer, especially since it can be expensive and time consuming to have them readjusted at the audiologist.
New Memoji customizations better represent users with oxygen tubes, cochlear implants, and a soft helmet for headwear.
Apple Fitness+ aims to feature workouts inviting to all:
Trainers using sign language in each workout to say “Welcome” or “Great job!”
"Time to Walk” episodes changing to “Time to Walk or Push” for wheelchair workouts
All videos including closed captioning
Trainers demonstrating modifications in each workout so users at all levels can join in (did you notice artificial limb in the photo above?)
... and so much more!
A new Accessibility Assistant Shortcut
Apple TV and Books spotlighting a curated collection that celebrates authentic disability representation onscreen and behind the camera
Update to their VoiceOver screen reader
Check out the full article to see what other accessible features they launched.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Ally vs Accomplice
“I don’t look for allies; I look for accomplices.” - Ashley Edwards, Founder and CEO at MindRight
Inspired by that quote from Ashley, Jason A. Scott brings up a good point about allies versus accomplices. Jason points out that allies may "remain committed toward supporting the interests of another — as long as those interests also serve their own; however, ally-ship can often be fickle when these interests are misaligned."
He asks then how can we see more allies within the startup ecosystem become resolute accomplices — partners-in-crime, co-conspirators — particularly acting outside of their own best interest?
ART & DESIGN
Architype Alphabet
Architype fuses typography and architecture to forge expressive new alphabet. Created by Johann Lucchini, an artistic director and illustrator based in Paris, this custom typeface has me drooling!
"Mixing curves, angles and lines to find the perfect balance and the right degree of abstraction is a long and difficult exercise," Johann notes. "And that's just as true for a huge building or an airport as it is for every little character within a typeface design."
Signing off from the Starship SBLTN,
Laneen (Pronouns: she/they)
🎧 Listening - Lo-fi Hip Hop Chill Beats on this YouTube Channel
💬 Quote - "In 2021, don’t be an ally; be an accomplice" - Jason A. Scott
📖 Reading - The Daily Moth - video news using American Sign Language
🖊️ Word of the Day - Ally: A person or organization that cooperates or unites with another to promote a common interest (supporter, advocate)