Presented by: Apple, Inc.

Overview

Apple will share accessibility features designed for everyone to connect, explore, and discover in new ways. These powerful updates combine the company’s latest technologies to deliver unique and customizable tools for users and build on Apple’s long-standing commitment to making products that work for everyone, with a multigenerational approach.

With the introduction of a new pillar, Speech, Apple is delighted to share innovative features like Personal Voice and Live Speech. We will also cover a new custom Apple experience we call Assistive Access for people with cognitive disabilities. These features can be personalized to work the way you do.

Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus primarily on Apple products, services and features and will not include information on other similar or related products or services.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe Assistive Access and two or more ways you can customize iPad and iPhone for people with cognitive disabilities.
2. Discuss two or more ways Personal Voice can support people at risk of losing their speech in a secure, private, and easy manner.
3. Demonstrate Live Speech and how quickly accessed it can be with the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro.

Strand(s)

Mainstream Accessible Technologies; Vision & Hearing Technologies

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; Administrators; AT Specialists; Caregivers; Communication Specialist; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Disability Services; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Family Members; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Instructional Technologist; Occupational Therapists; Rehab Therapists; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Visual Impairment Specialists

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with live-stream

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; ASHA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Janette Barrios

Apple, Inc., Senior Manager, Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives

Biography

Janette Barrios is a senior manager for Accessibility Policy & Initiatives at Apple. With over 18 years at the company, she works on raising awareness of Apple’s accessibility innovation and initiatives, including technology such as the VoiceOver screenreader for people who are blind, assistive hearing features like Made for iPhone Hearing Aids, accessibility in education, as well as other initiatives that support disability communities worldwide and Apple’s culture of inclusion.

Janette also worked in Apple Communications, supporting iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Previously, Janette worked in the video game industry, was a music educator, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from San Jose State University. She serves on the Board of Directors for San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Janette Barrios is a paid employee of Apple and is a senior manager for Accessibility Policy & Initiatives.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Janette Barrios serves on the Board of Directors for San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind.

Gus Shitama

Apple, Inc., Marketing Specialist, Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives

Biography

Gus Shitama is a marketing specialist for Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives at Apple. In over eight years at the company, Gus has worked on global marketing campaigns to raise awareness about Apple’s world-class accessibility features, consulted on how to support the Deaf/signing community, including best practices for sign language interpreters to deliver a truly inclusive experience.

Having delivered a TEDx Talk and presented at the Library of Congress, Gus is dedicated to amplifying authentic storytelling so the world can connect with each other, one story at a time. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a Minor in Communication Studies from Gallaudet University, the renowned college for Deaf and hard of hearing students.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Gus Shitama receives a salary from Apple, Inc. where he is a Marketing Specialist on the Accessibility Policy & Social Initiatives team.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No