Apple has been rewarded for its work in making technology accessible to blind users with a Helen Keller Achievement Award, given at an New York event yesterday evening.
Organized by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), Apple was specifically praised for VoiceOver, the iOS feature which reads out descriptions of everything happening on a device’s display.
“VoiceOver came out, and the world changed,” said AFB vice president, Paul Schroeder, speaking at the event which was held at the J.W. Marriott Essex House building in New York’s Central Park South.
Other recipients of awards included musician Ward Marston, Daredevil actor Charlie Cox, and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, which created a treatment for a sleep-wake disorder which can affect individuals who are totally blind.
Prior to yesterday’s event, Apple updated the App Store with a new section that highlights app which support VoiceOver.
Apple has long been praised for its work with accessibility — previously winning a Helen Keller Achievement Award back in 2009. Tim Cook has long spoken out about making Apple a “force for good” in the world, which includes making its products easily available to users with disabilities.
Via: iMore
