July Digital Accessibility Roundup

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Welcome to Disability: IN’s monthly round up of digital accessibility news for July.

At Disability:IN we know that digital accessibility impacts all aspects of disability inclusion. If you have questions about our digital accessibility program, please contact Jeff Wissel, our Chief Accessibility Officer.

Accessibility News from Disability:IN Partners

Microsoft’s Commitment to Accessibility

Microsoft has committed to making sure that their products and services comply with the European Accessibility Act. They continue to invest in accessibility in their leading products, including Windows, Teams, and Outlook, collaborating with policymakers, accessibility professionals, and community members to deliver on EAA requirements.

Amazon Improves Kindle Accessibility With New Text Spacing Adjustments

Amazon released a new software update for several recent Kindle models last week. The company’s release notes only mention “performance improvements, bug fixes, and other general enhancements,” but the update includes notable upgrades when it comes to adjusting text and line spacing, improving legibility and accessibility for many users, as spotted by The eBook Reader.

Why Accessible Packaging is the Next Brand Differentiator

While accessibility has historically been associated with utilitarianism – think grab rails and clinical fonts – today’s leading designers are rewriting that story.

VisionOS 26 Introduces Powerful New Spatial Experiences for Apple Vision Pro

Apple has announced visionOS 26, a significant update for Apple Vision Pro that enhances user experiences with spatial widgets, realistic Personas, and shared spatial interactions. The update supports immersive features including 3D content playback and new APIs for developers, paving the way for innovative spatial computing applications.

Microsoft Copilot's Vision Released in the U.S.

Microsoft introduces Copilot Vision, enhancing user experience with features like multiple app navigation and the Highlights feature, which guides users on specific tasks. These tools aim to improve accessibility and efficiency, making it easier for users to navigate their computers.

Uber’s New Senior Mode Aims to Remove Barriers for Aging Riders

For millions of older adults, a ride to the grocery store or a friend’s house isn’t just about convenience—it’s about staying connected, independent, and well. Aging adults and families who rely on ride-hailing apps to get around now have a new option to explore from Uber, which just announced a pair of features designed to make the app easier and more intuitive for older riders.

Accessible Cruising with Celebrity: Luxury Without Limits

When it comes to planning an inclusive vacation, Celebrity Cruises sets a gold standard—literally. The cruise line has earned accolades like the Travel Weekly Magellan Gold Award for Accessibility and Inclusivity, and it’s easy to see why. With a commitment to accessible cruising across its Millennium, Solstice, and Edge Series ships, Celebrity ensures that travelers of all abilities can enjoy the high seas in relaxed luxury.

Meta Announces Two Accessibility Features for Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Meta has announced two new accessibility advancements for its smart glasses designed to help users navigate the world around them.

Walmart’s latest AI feature for Communication

Walmart is rolling out AI-powered tools to its 1.5 million U.S. associates with the goal of offering more support for workers to help customers in real time. The tools include a real-time translation feature that can facilitate multilingual conversations between associates and customers in 44 languages. The feature supports both text-to-text and speech-to-speech formats and includes Walmart-specific knowledge, such as recognizing the term “Great Value” as the retailer’s private brand.

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