Apple’s Upcoming Accessibility Features Show The Real Potential Of Apple Intelligence

InnovationConsumer TechApple’s Upcoming Accessibility Features Show The Real Potential Of Apple IntelligenceByPrakhar Khanna,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Prakhar Khanna covers lifestyle tech for Forbes.Follow AuthorMay 19, 2026, 12:39pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.VoiceOver is more powerful than ever in helping users who are blind or have low vision explore their surroundings and onscreen images, says Apple.AppleApple Intelligence might have been underwhelming at launch but it has improved over time and is now being used to make tech more accessible. Today, Apple announced a bunch of new accessibility features coming to VoiceOver, Magnifier and more later this year. This preview comes ahead of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day on Thursday, as Apple gears up for WWDC 2026.The Cupertino-based company is using AI to make its products more helpful for people with a range of disabilities. Starting with VoiceOver Image Explorer, it can be used to produce more detailed descriptions of images throughout the system. This includes descriptions in photos, scanned bills, as well as personal records.Apple is also expanding VoiceOver capabilities, so you can ask questions about your surroundings with the press of the Action button. It will also support follow-up questions in natural language. Similarly, Magnifier will also be accessible via the Action button and support spoken commands like “zoom in” or “turn on flashlight.”The company is also adding natural language input to Voice Control, so you can describe onscreen elements conversationally. For instance, you can say, “tap the purple folder,” rather than memorizing exact label names or numbers. It is also said to help when on-screen elements lack proper accessibility labels.Apple is also enhancing Accessibility Reader, a feature it announced last year on the iPhone, iPad, Mac,...