You may have noticed that your iPhone has a new software update. Apple typically launches their new devices and software updates in September, and this year was no exception. Apple has a long history of designing technology with accessibility in mind. This has been a huge reason of why I have always favored Apple devices for my tech ecosystem, especially after my spinal cord injury. With the release of iOS 26, Apple’s commitment to accessibility appears to have grown even stronger.

A new feature in the App Store now makes it easier for users to learn which accessibility options are supported before downloading an app. Accessibility Nutrition Labels appear on app product pages and highlight tools such as VoiceOver, Voice Control, captions, larger text, and reduced motion. This saves time and helps users find apps that best fit their needs without trial and error.

For people who are blind, have low vision, or face other reading challenges, the new Accessibility Reader provides a systemwide reading mode. It can reformat text for easier reading or read content aloud. By making text more flexible across apps, it ensures that important information is never out of reach.

Live Listen has been a vital tool for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, turning the iPhone into a remote microphone. iOS 26 improves this with real-time captions during Live Listen sessions. Captions can be viewed not only on iPhone or iPad, but also on Apple Watch, which can even act as a remote control. This allows for greater flexibility and independence in communication.

iOS 26 introduces the ability to temporarily share accessibility settings with another device. This added feature has many applications. By sharing your accessibility preferences instantly, you can interact comfortably without having to manually reconfigure settings. This feature will make it easier to sync accessibility settings across devices through iCloud or allows for a third party, like a family member, occupational therapist or a personal care attendant, to set up accessibility features and share them to you if you are unable to physically do it yourself.

Users with limited mobility can now navigate their iPhone using head movements. This is a huge feature for higher level quadriplegics like myself. Different actions, such as tapping or taking a screenshot, can be performed with facial expressions. This provides a hands-free way to interact with the device, which can be life-changing for people with limited hand use.

Typing with Eye Tracking and Switch Control has been enhanced with QuickPath, customizable dwell timers for keys, and fewer steps when using switches. These refinements make typing smoother and reduce fatigue for users who rely on assistive input methods. Eye Tracking in particular is a breakthrough because it allows individuals with limited or no use of their hands to type and navigate simply by moving their eyes across the screen. This form of interaction can help users with spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular conditions, or other mobility impairments communicate more quickly and independently.