These Three iPhone Features Make Technology More Accessible for Persons With Disabilities

Here's how iOS 17 can simplify the use of your smartphone while making conversations more personal.

Written by David Delima, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 1 December 2023 12:14 IST

These Three iPhone Features Make Technology More Accessible for Persons With Disabilities

Live Speech and Personal Voice can also be used during FaceTime calls

Highlights

iOS 17 added new accessibility features for iPhone and iPad users
Personal Voice lets you replicate your real voice using machine learning
Apple says is processes data used for these features on the same device

December 3 is celebrated as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations in order to raise awareness and promote the welfare of persons with disabilities around the world. Smartphones are the most widely used pieces of technology today, and tech firms have been making rapid strides in developing technology to make these devices more accessible to users. In recent years, Google has introduced features like Action Blocks, Camera Switches, and Live Transcribe; while Apple has added new features like Assistive Access and Voice Control.

Along with the iOS 17 update that rolled out to the iPhone XR and newer models up to the iPhone 14 series, Apple rolled out features powered by artificial intelligence that allow users at risk of losing their voice due to medical conditions to preserve a digital version that sounds like them, which can be used in apps. Ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we take a look at some of these features that can make using an iPhone much easier for users.

Live Speech (iOS, iPadOS, macOS)

iPhone owners who have lost their voice or are unable to speak due to a medical condition can type what they want to say on their phone — it will be read out via the device's speaker for conversations with a person facing them, or even during FaceTime calls.

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When part of a very active group conversation, users can also save certain phrases that can be tapped at will, allowing them to join in the conversation. This feature also works on iPad and Mac computers, according to Apple's support documentation.

Personal Voice (iOS, iPad)

Powered by on-device machine learning, Apple's new Personal Voice feature allows iPhone owners who have been diagnosed with a medical condition such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) — degenerative conditions that can result in the loss of the ability to speak. The Personal Voice feature requires users to read out 15 minutes of random text that is generated on an iPhone or iPad, and the audio is then recorded for synthesis.

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Setting up Personal Voice on iOS
Photo Credit: Apple

Once the new voice has been saved, it should provide an artificially generated voice that sounds similar to your own voice. The Personal Voice feature — which is generated and processed completely on the same device — can also be used alongside Live Speech for a more personal touch when communicating with people.

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Assistive Access (iOS, iPad)

Apple provides a standard visual interface on iOS, but it can appear somewhat complex for users with vision-related disabilities. In order to make the iPhone and iPad user interface more accessible, Apple introduced a new Assistive Access mode with the update to iOS 17 that greatly simplifies the user interface for users who just want a simple interface.

\With Assistive Access enabled users will see much larger icons and text labels along with a simplified interface for optimised apps. They can also use bigger buttons for commonly used actions like answering calls, clicking photos, and navigating back to the home screen. The feature can also come in handy for elderly users, making it easier for family members to stay connected with them.

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Apple iPhone XR

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Best-in-class performance
Excellent cameras
Dual SIM is finally an option
Great battery life
Regular, timely software updates

Bad
Low-resolution display
Dual SIM support is limited
First-party apps not great in India
Fast charger not bundled

Read detailed Apple iPhone XR review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A12 Bionic

Front Camera 7-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel

RAM 3GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 2942mAh

OS iOS 12

Resolution 828x1792 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Choose a variant

iPhone 14

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use

Bad
Dated design and notch
Very similar to iPhone 13
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 review

Display 6.06-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

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Further reading: Apple, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, iOS 17, Accessibility, Disabilities, iOS, iOS features

David Delima

Email David Delima

As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More