May 17, 2024 11:15:00

Google adds new features to visual aid apps 'Lookout' and 'Google Maps' to help improve accessibility for people with disabilities

The third Thursday of May every year is

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), which raises awareness about accessibility in the digital world. In a blog post published on this day, Google introduced new features that have been added to apps such as the visual assistance app Lookout , the speech assistance app Look to Speak , and Google Maps to help improve accessibility for users with disabilities.

8 new accessibility updates across Lookout, Google Maps and more
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/accessibility/ai-accessibility-update-gaad-2024/

Google Updates Maps, Lookout and Other Apps to Expand Accessibility - CNET
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/google-updates-maps-lookout-and-other-apps-to-expand-accessibility/

◆ Find objects around you with Lookout
Lookout is a visual aid app that describes objects and scenery captured by a smartphone camera, reads text written on mail, and tells the type of banknote. A new 'search mode' that helps users find specific objects and items has been rolled out to Lookout as a beta version. In search mode, users can select one of seven categories of items, such as seats, tables, and bathrooms, and move the camera around the room to find the direction and distance of the item.

◆Look to Speak textless mode
Look to Speak is a speech assistant app that reads out a pre-customized phrase when you select it with your gaze. A new text-free mode has been added to Look to Speak, which allows you to select emojis, symbols, and photos instead of text to activate the voice. Google explains that this new feature is based on feedback from the community, including those with cognitive differences, literacy challenges, and language barriers.

◆ Project Gameface Android version is now open source

Project Gameface is an open source project that allows users to control the mouse cursor with eyebrow and mouth movements, helping people with muscular dystrophy and other tactile disorders to enjoy games. The Android version of Project Gameface has now been open-sourced on GitHub , allowing developers to support Project Gameface in their Android apps.

'Project Gameface', which controls the mouse cursor with your face, is now open source and available for Android - GIGAZINE

◆ Google Maps voice-based detailed route instructions
Google Maps' ' Live View ' is a feature that allows you to check the route to your destination while taking pictures of your surroundings with your camera. A new feature that allows visually impaired people to receive detailed voice guidance for their route has been rolled out to all supported languages.

Wheelchair accessibility information now available on Google Maps desktop version
Google Maps now features wheelchair accessibility information added by business owners and community members, letting you know where places are wheelchair accessible, where wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located, etc. Previously, wheelchair accessibility information was available on Android and iOS, but has now been expanded to the desktop version.

◆ Discover locations where hearing aids are accessible
The ' Auracast ' feature included in the Bluetooth standard allows you to pair public devices with your own Bluetooth earphones and listen to the broadcast audio. Now, business owners can add Auracast attributes to their business profiles, allowing you to find Auracast-enabled theaters, gyms, places of worship, and other locations on Google Maps.

◆Added custom method for Project Relate
Project Relate , an app that helps people with speech disorders communicate by creating personalized speech recognition models, now lets you customize your models by importing phrases from other apps, like Google Docs.

◆New design for sound detection notification function
Sound detection notifications are a feature that notifies users in ways other than hearing, such as push notifications on smartphones, camera flashes, and vibrations, when sounds such as intercom bells and smoke detector warnings occur. Based on new user feedback, we have improved the onboarding process and sound event references, and now it is easier to save the audio of home appliances.