Accessibility News - May 2026

Forbes Accessibility 200 List Announced

Forbes has published its Accessibility 200 list, highlighting organisations, companies, and individuals working across accessibility, assistive technology, inclusive design, and disability inclusion. According to Forbes, the list was informed by more than 700 interviews and guidance from an expert advisory board spanning business and society. The list includes established organisations such as Microsoft alongside emerging startups and innovators developing products and services aimed at improving equitable access to information, employment, public spaces, and digital experiences.

In its article, Forbes notes the growing recognition of accessibility not only as a legal or social responsibility, but also as a business consideration, with many companies expanding accessibility efforts to better serve broader audiences. Forbes also highlights how accessibility innovations often benefit a wide range of people beyond their original intended audience, using examples such as closed captions and emerging AI-driven accessibility tools. 

You can read more and explore the full list on Forbes Accessibility 200

Updates to iOS Accessibility

Apple has previewed a suite of new accessibility features coming later this year across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. 

Many of the updates are powered by Apple Intelligence and aim to improve how people interact with visual content, navigation, reading experiences, and media. Announced features include more detailed image descriptions in VoiceOver, natural language controls for Voice Control, enhanced document reading through Accessibility Reader, and automatically generated subtitles for videos that do not already include captions.

Apple also announced new accessibility features for Apple Vision Pro, including eye-tracking support for compatible power wheelchair controls, alongside updates such as larger text support in tvOS, expanded hearing accessibility features, and support for additional adaptive gaming controllers. According to Apple, the updates are designed to support a wide range of accessibility needs while continuing to use on-device processing for privacy-focused functionality. 

You can read the full announcement on Apple Newsroom.

Improvements to Accessible Gaming from Xbox

Xbox has shared a series of accessibility announcements for Global Accessibility Awareness Day, including updates to its adaptive gaming hardware, accessibility resources, and game accessibility features. This includes improved Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers available through Xbox Design Lab, with a new “Goal Post” shape added following player feedback. Players can customise and download free 3D-printable topper designs for compatible controllers. Xbox has also refreshed its Accessible Gaming page to improve navigation and make accessibility information easier to find.

The announcement also highlighted accessibility features across several games and services, including accessibility tags in the Xbox storefront, new inclusive design features in titles such as Forza Horizon 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and research commissioned by Activision into the social and wellbeing impacts of gaming for people who are blind or partially sighted. According to Xbox, the updates form part of its ongoing work to support a wider range of players and play styles. 

You can read the full announcement on Xbox Wire.