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Google invests in start-up that identifies images through your phone’s camera

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Google has said “oui” (yes) to buying French start-up Moodstocks, a company that specialises in rapid object recognition from smartphones. This interest from Google is further proof that the world of accessibility is going mainstream.

Google logo

Google already has an object recognition app (Google Goggles), but Moodstocks operates differently. It runs on your smartphone rather than via a server, which makes it more affordable, more mainstream and more accessible to its targeted audience.


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Apple wins award for accessibility advances

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The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has awarded Apple the coveted Robert S. Bray Award for their continued accessibility innovations, which will be presented on 4 July during the ACB’s annual conference and convention in Minneapolis, USA.

Close up of an iPhone 6 being used by a woman

The Bray Award is given to a person or business that has improved or expanded the level of accessibility of communication technology or devices for people who are blind or have a vision impairment, therefore allowing greater inclusion for all.


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New ‘game-changing’ phone app enhances phone accessibility

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‘OpenAccess Captions’ is a brand new application for iPads and iPhones that was developed by Brisbane-based charity Conexu Foundation. It is an app that aims to connect callers via a live captioner so that phone conversations can be read in live-time.

Conexu Foundation logo

This app was launched this week to coincide with Deafblind Awareness Week (the last day is today). The app creators have hailed it as a ‘game-changer’ for those who are Deaf and blind or have hearing loss or vision impairment. 

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Apple announces minor software accessibility improvements at WWDC 2016 conference

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Apple has announced a number of new features in its range of products at its annual World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC), with a focus on incremental updates and greater Siri integration.

Black apple logo on a grey background

The conference, which focuses on supporting developers to create new products in the Apple software ecosystem, highlighted a number of improvements across its desktop, mobile, watch and TV set-top-box operating systems, some of which are likely to benefit people with disabilities.

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Apple Store adds new access section in time for Global Accessibility Awareness Day

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Individuals with impairments can now find third party accessible accessories for Mac, iPad and iPhone devices to suit their specific needs under the newly launched ‘Accessibility’ section on the online Apple Store.

A selection of Apple’s accessibility accessories with the word ‘Accessibility’ in the centre

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New updates by Twitter client app Twitterrific enhance accessibility for vision impaired users

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Twitterrific, a Mac OS X and iOS client for the social networking site Twitter, has launched a host of new and improved accessibility features for people who are blind or vision impaired for its app update yesterday.  This recent update has seen a vast improvement in the app’s use of VoiceOver and image sharing.

The Twitteriffic blue bird as a 3D representation

Accessibility improvements

According to iTunes, the accessibility improvements listed below have been made to the application.


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Audio description on iview now available on desktops

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The trial of audio description on the ABC’s online iview service which commenced in April has now been extended to desktop computers.

Man on sitting on a couch, smiling whilst wearing headphones connected to a laptop

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Blind Citizens Australia wraps up successful convention in Perth

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The Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) annual convention was held over the weekend at the Mercure hotel in Perth, with approximately 120 attendees discussing a range of issues.

Much of the focus related to the 40th anniversary of BCA with presentations and discussions relating to how products and services for people who are blind or vision impaired have progressed over that time, current issues both locally and internationally, and the significance of BCA in the future.


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iTunes Australia offering audio described movies

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There has been a quiet, small development in the availability of audio described movies from Apple iTunes in Australia.

Australian flag in the shape of Australia next to the iTunes logo

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Apple wins AFB award for its accessibility product features

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The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced that the Helen Keller Award for 2015 has been won by Apple due to its commitment to including accessibility features in its products to support people who are blind or vision impaired.

Apple products on display. From left to right: MacBook, iPad Air and iPhone 6 Plus


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