The Voiceover Screen ReaderComes to the iPhone
— ♣Though many said it could never be done, Apple has yet again shown a tremendous commitment to accessibility today with the announcement of the iPhone 3GS, the latest version of its popular iPhone handset, which ships with a version of VoiceOver optimized for it. Using this incredible new technology, the blind and visually impaired will have access to the iPHone in much the same way they enjoy Mac support today.
Using a combination of touch screen technology and specialized gestures, the VoiceOver user can use all the apps that ship with the iPhone, and Apple is already working with third-party developers to make sure their applications are accessible as well.
You can read the full details of how the new VoiceOver screen reader for iPhone 3GS works on the iPhone accessibility page. The iPHone 3GS will be released in the US, Canada, UK, and some other European countries on 19/June, with other countries to follow through the summer.
Apple has also announced that similar technology will be available to control Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard with VoiceOver and your Mac’s trackpad. More information is available on this Apple Accessibility page.
All of us here at Mac-cessibility are overjoyed and astounded at this tremendous leap forward. No words can describe our excitement.