How Wireless Innovation Connects All Consumers

Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebrates efforts to make the digital world a more accessible place. And since the first celebration 13 years ago, the wireless industry has played a key role in bridging the gap between disabled users and accessible products-with notable advancements in the last two years to provide the disabled and neurodivergent communities with access to the tools they need to communicate with others.

Wireless providers and manufacturers continue to work together to create products and services that benefit the accessibility community by improving connected devices like smartwatches, TVs, earbuds, and more.

• At Gallaudet University, AT&T made history by developing a 5G-enabled helmet that aids deaf and hard of hearing athletes by allowing them to receive instantaneous visual communication from coaches on the sidelines.
• Verizon supported Waymap in developing a navigation app that guides visually impaired users with step-by-step audio instructions.
• T-Mobile worked with stakeholders in the DeafBlind community to develop an IP Relay feature that provides access to all lowercase letters for Braille users and those who use screen readers via T-Mobile's IP Relay.
• Samsung recently launched an update to their Galaxy Watch One UI 5 that includes universal gestures that allow for a touch-free experience.
• Virtual, augmented, and extended reality programs created by Qualcomm use Artificial Intelligence ("AI") to offer educational and entertainment experiences with live captioning and audio descriptions for people with disabilities.

Manufacturers have further contributed to the development of accessibility tools by offering new ways to personalize smartphones and apps that make navigating their devices easier.

• Consumers can tailor their smartphones to their specific needs by updating their display sizes, font sizes, magnification, contrast, and color. Many applications and products such as screen readers, dictation apps, auto captioning tools, and real-time text ("RTT") assist users by making device operation customizable.
• Android and Apple iOS devices offer accessibility shortcuts which enable users to engage with accessibility features. Apple offers AssistiveTouch which allows users to connect adaptive accessories, like joysticks. Android also allows users to interact with a device screen, camera, microphone, or back of the device instead of the touchscreen. Other accessibility features that can be accessed by either Android or Apple iOS users include Sound Recognition, VoiceOver, TalkBack, and VoiceOver+Braille.
• Users can also enable their phone's flash capability to announce incoming calls and signal other alerts.
• Feature phones have continually been made available for those who need larger buttons and displays, Hearing Aid Compatibility ("HAC"), and streamlined access to phone settings and contacts. These phones are extremely durable and have a long battery life. Phones like those made by Nokia, offer simplified versions of popular social media apps, while also functioning as a hot spot.
• In 2022, Amazon released Tap to Alexa which enables customers to interact with Alexa using touch. The next year, Amazon released Eye Gaze, allowing users to gaze at their tablet to perform pre-set Alexa actions.
• Samsung and Google are collaborating to merge their Voice Assistant and TalkBack programs respectively.
• Video communication software companies like Cisco and Zoom created accessibility integrations like AI captioning and live transcriptions to give users with speech impairments a way to be understood during virtual meetings. Apple's FaceTime also offers Sign Language Prominence and captioning.

The wireless industry also looks forward to working with the FCC to make Wireless Emergency Alert message content more accessible to users of the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the United States, including English and ASL.

Beyond product improvements, the wireless industry advocates for, engages with, and learns from the accessibility community, through initiatives such as the annual Accessibility Outreach Initiative Forum, highlighting wireless innovations for people with disabilities as well as relevant accessibility policy updates. And CTIA is proud to partner with its members and the accessibility community to provide consumers with the latest information and resources available through AccessWireless.org.

The wireless industry is also active in advocating for accessibility to services like the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free service that offers mental health support to Americans. The Lifeline offers text-to-988 capabilities and specialized hotlines for marginalized groups such as Veterans, LGBTQIA+, and non-English speaking communities.

On this Global Accessibility Awareness Day, CTIA recognizes the recent accessibility accomplishments by the wireless industry and looks forward to continued collaboration and growth in this vital space.