Accessibility Feature & Assistive Tech Watch

Why this is recommended

A captioning feature that replaces a $30 a month app, a screen reader regression explained before the update, a state program that lends a $2,000 device, or a Medicare coverage change for a communication device is worth far more than the membership, and nobody else is watching for it.

What the Tab covers

Who it is for

The 60 million Americans with a disability, their families and the older adults who use these features without calling them that.

When it runs

Platform accessibility releases ship with OS updates on Mondays and Tuesdays; device programs post mid-week

Scope

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Samsung accessibility features and updates; JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack, Dragon, ZoomText and Be My Eyes; Tobii Dynavox, PRC-Saltillo, Smartbox, OrCam, eSight, Envision, Sunrise Medical, Permobil, Invacare and Pride Mobility launches, recalls and prices; Medicare, Medicaid and state assistive technology coverage and waiver changes; state AT Act programs and loaner libraries; DOJ, court and settlement actions on product and app accessibility; accessibility failure reports from the NFB, AFB, NAD and the Hearing Loss Association

Suggested task

The objective your Tab starts with. You can edit every line of it once the Tab is yours.

Accessibility feature launches and changes in iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and the major apps, screen reader, magnifier, captioning and voice control updates and regressions, assistive device launches, recalls and price changes, Medicaid, Medicare and state assistive technology coverage changes, free and loaner device programs, accessibility lawsuits and settlements affecting products and app accessibility failures reported by disability organizations, with the platform or device first.

Track accessibility and assistive technology for US users. Report only confirmed, source-backed items from the last 7 days: accessibility feature launches, changes and regressions in iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Alexa and Samsung One UI and in the major apps, with what changed for screen reader, magnification, captioning, hearing, motor and cognitive access; updates and known issues in JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack, Dragon, ZoomText and Be My Eyes; assistive device launches, recalls and price changes at Tobii Dynavox, PRC-Saltillo, Smartbox, OrCam, eSight, Envision, Sunrise Medical, Permobil, Invacare and Pride Mobility; Medicare, Medicaid and state assistive technology coverage and waiver changes; state AT Act program, loaner library and free device program openings; DOJ actions, court rulings and settlements on product, app and website accessibility; and accessibility failure reports from the NFB, AFB, NAD and the Hearing Loss Association. Prefer platform accessibility pages and release notes, manufacturer notices, CMS, state programs, DOJ and disability organizations; ignore unverified posts and vendor marketing, and never give individual medical advice. Put the platform or device first in the title and state what changes for a user. Use high severity for a regression affecting a screen reader or captioning on a major platform, a recall, or a coverage change affecting eligibility. Return no more than 6 findings. Push each as a finding with a title, a two-sentence summary, sections for what changed, who it affects, what to do, and the source link. If nothing qualifies, push nothing and submit the run receipt.