The latest devices on the market aim to make people’s daily lives easier, but not everyone can take advantage of their functionality due to accessibility restrictions. Today, Google announced eight new features that will help people with disabilities get the most out of their devices.
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The first feature helps connect users with businesses run by people with disabilities by displaying a new ID attribute for the disability community next to business listings in Google Maps and Search.
Ultimately, this feature helps potential customers connect with and support the disability community, while also strengthening community connections between people.
Other Google identity attributes include Asian-owned, Black-owned, Latinx-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, Veteran-owned, and Women-owned.
More accessible walking routes will also appear on the map. Users can now choose walking routes that are wheelchair accessible and do not require stairs.
Additionally, Google is expanding its visibility of wheelchair-friendly information. This information is included on Maps business and location pages for Android Auto and Google’s open source Android Automative operating system.
This will display a wheelchair icon next to your search results to help you find destinations with suitable accommodation.
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Next, Google will upgrade its Live View search feature and add screen reading functionality.
When users turn on screen reading and use search in live view, they’ll now get auditory feedback about places around them, including helpful information like place names and distances.
Google’s Assistant Routines is also receiving an accessibility upgrade with more personalization options. Users will be able to choose their own routine shortcut style, customize it with their own images, and choose from a variety of sizes.
“Research shows that this personalization is especially helpful for people with cognitive differences and disabilities, and we look forward to bringing the usefulness of Assistant Routines to even more people,” Google said in a release. ” he said.
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Earlier this year, Google introduced a feature in Google Chrome that detects typos and provides suggestions based on what Google thinks the user intended. This feature has now been extended to Chrome on Android and iOS, allowing typo-prone users to quickly access the content they need.
Google Pixel smartphones are also receiving their own updates. The first update is a new Magnifier app that uses Pixel’s advanced camera technology to act as a physical magnifying glass that you can zoom in on.
Google says the app was designed in collaboration with partners at the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind to help the low vision community see details up close.
The Magnifier app is available in the Google Play Store for Pixel 5 and later.
In early October, to coincide with the release of Google Pixel 8, the company announced the latest version of Guided Frame, which makes it easier for people who are blind or have low vision to take selfies.
With the latest update, you can now use Guided Frames not only for front camera photos, but also for rear camera photos on Pixel 6 and newer smartphones.