For users with disabilities or impairments, accessibility features in software and devices can make all the difference in allowing them to interact with technology. Apple has long been a leader in this space, consistently pushing the envelope with new and improved accessibility options with each iteration of its operating systems. And as development progresses on iOS 18 (codenamed “Crystal”) and macOS 15 (codenamed “Glow”), it appears Apple has several innovative accessibility enhancements in the works.

Through sources familiar with the matter, MacRumors has gained insight into some of the key accessibility improvements Apple is cooking up for release later this year. While a few are refinements to existing tools, others represent entirely new capabilities aimed at empowering users of all abilities.

Giving users a voice with Adaptive Shortcuts

One of the more intriguing new features is called “Adaptive Voice Shortcuts.” This will allow users to map custom spoken phrases to toggle various accessibility settings on and off. Rather than navigating through menus, users could simply utter a unique command to enable VoiceOver, Voice Control, Zoom, or other tools.

The process seems straightforward: users will be able to create a custom phrase, and then connect that phrase to the desired accessibility feature. With a few words, they could jump between modes suited to their current needs or environment. It’s an innovative approach to voice control that could make accessibility options far more convenient to access.

Categorizing Live Speech

Another area of focus is enhancing Live Speech, which transcribes audio in real-time. Currently, transcribed phrases simply appear in a feed. But in the upcoming updates, Apple plans to add a new “Categories” section that will empower users to organize phrases into custom groups.

Not only will users be able to name these categories, but they’ll also have a library of around 20 different icons to visually distinguish them. The ability to cluster related phrases could make Live Speech’s output significantly more digestible and easier to parse for conversations spanning multiple topics.

More apps get font size flexibility

Apple has also set its sights on expanding an existing feature: the ability to adjust text size on an app-by-app basis. This option, found in the Accessibility settings’ Display section, already allows users to customize font sizes in five macOS apps: Calendar, Finder, Mail, Messages, and Notes.

But in macOS 15, codenamed “Sonoma,” Apple intends to extend that support to five additional apps: Books, News, Stocks, Tips, and Weather.

For users with visual impairments, being able to enlarge text can be crucial for comfortably reading content. Giving them app-specific control over font sizes is an appreciated level of personalization.

According to sources, Apple has even tested an option to adjust the font size of the macOS menu bar itself, though it’s unclear if this tweak will make the final cut. Nevertheless, it underscores Apple’s focus on text legibility across its platforms.

Eye tracking and more features are on the way

Our sources also revealed that Apple has another unspecified accessibility feature in active development that leverages on-device eye tracking. Precisely how this capability will be implemented remains uncertain, but it points to Apple exploring innovative input methods beyond the traditional mouse, keyboard, and touch controls.

Of course, not all projects Apple explores will necessarily ship to the public. The company has been known to shelve initiatives that don’t meet expectations or face roadblocks during the development cycle. But if these accessibility enhancements do make it into this year’s iOS 18 and macOS 15 releases, they could open up new frontiers of computing for users of all abilities.