New Apple film highlights college kids using accessibility tools
Apple has once again made a film focusing on people with disabilities, and how they use the company’s products. The new film celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is December 3. This time, the focus is on college students at both work and play, using Macs, iPhone and iPads, all while a music video-style soundtrack plays.
While some past films featuring people with disabilities have focused on heartwarming relationships, the new, unnamed film offers a bit more attitude, and a message that people with disabilities have often struggled to pass along – we’re not remarkable, or special, or inspiring. Just like everyone else, we’re happy, we’re sad, we’re frustrated, we’re joyous. And of course, we use Apple products and their built-in accessibility features.
The film was directed by Kim Gehrig, whose previous Apple film, The Greatest, earned an Emmy in 2022. It features performances from a wide range of deaf and disabled students from around the world, with songwriting and musical production from Tony award-winning composer Tim Minchin.
Accessibility tools featured in the film include magnifier for Mac, Braille access, accessibility reader, sound recognition, live captions and assistive touch.
[Shelly Brisbin is a radio producer and author of the book iOS Access for All. She's the host of Lions, Towers & Shields, a podcast about classic movies, on The Incomparable network.]
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