Apple To Include Hearing Aid Emoji
New accessibility themed emojis have been welcomed by disability rights campaigners.
The proposed additions would include a hearing aid, a guide dog, prosthetic limbs, sign language, wheelchair and more.
“The current selection of emoji provides a wide array of representations of people, activities, and objects meaningful to the general public, but very few speak to the life experiences of those with disabilities. At Apple, we believe that technology should be accessible to everyone and should provide an experience that serves individual needs. Adding emoji emblematic to users’ life experiences helps foster a diverse culture that is inclusive of disability.”
The new initiative had positive feedback worldwide as people thought it was a much-needed upgrade :
Would definitely be using the hearing aid emoji #disabilityemojis https://t.co/ENIGf97rsj
— Jacquelyn Zeman (@jacquelynzeman) March 24, 2018
New: Apple has submitted a proposal to Unicode for accessibility emojis including people in wheelchairs, service dogs, and prosthetic limbs. If approved, they'll be on phones next year https://t.co/ic87QRkDpj pic.twitter.com/d7NISQR0me
— Emojipedia (@Emojipedia) March 23, 2018
Yes yes yes well done apple #DisabilityEmoji https://t.co/7BaCivVyK9
— Liberal Josie (@xjobirdx) March 24, 2018
Absolutely brilliant and about time too. On behalf of all of us disabled and less able bodied people, thank you.
— The Tow Tribe (@Cosky) March 24, 2018
If approved, the new emojis will be included in the new Emoji update and due for a release later this year.
What are your thoughts on the new emojis? Let us know over on Twitter, Facebook or by email info@restoredhearing.com.