Google introduces new accessibility features for persons with disabilities

Google has presented new features for persons with disabilities, making day-to-day activities more accessible.

Google Maps has been updated, and now users can identify wheelchair-accessible places and routes. An icon of a wheelchair will appear for places that offer step-free entrances, bathrooms, and seating. 

Google Chrome and Google Assistant have also been updated. The Chrome browser now identifies typos and mistakes in a way that is more by the user’s intention, aiming to help people with dyslexia, language learners, or anyone who makes typos.

Google has now incorporated AI and AR into their Lens in Maps option to further aid users in finding new places through their phone’s camera. Meant to be accustomed for Android users soon, iOS users can already use the new ‘screen reader’ option, which gives you automatic feedback on a particular place when you lift your camera lens towards it in an auditory manner.

The BigTech giant wishes to make the Google Assistant app more accessible for people with problems with cognitive differences and disabilities, so it adjusted the Routines shortcut, enabling users to customize its appearance and size on the screen.

Finally, cameras on Pixel 5 and later models (except Pixel Fold) now have better zoom-in capabilities and magnifying text. Google’s Guided Frame feature recognises facial features, pets, documents, and dishes.

Why does it matter?

This is yet another step towards Google making adjustments and taking steps towards aiding persons with disabilities. In 2019, the BigTech company presented the apps LiveTranscript, which transcribes speech in near-real time, and SoundAmplifier, which offers more options for adjusting sound to help people with hearing impairments.