Apple has long been regarded as an innovator, not just in technology but in accessibility. From the introduction of VoiceOver on the iPhone to the development of assistive features for the visually impaired and other disabled communities, Apple’s reputation as a market leader in accessibility is well earned. However, beneath the polished veneer of public relations campaigns and press releases lies an unsettling truth: Apple’s software quality assurance has been plummeting, especially under Tim Cook’s leadership. For the disabled community, particularly blind power users, this decline represents a betrayal of trust and a disregard for their unique needs.

VoiceOver on Mac: A Persistent Failure

VoiceOver, Apple’s screen reader technology for blind and visually impaired users, was a groundbreaking feature when it was introduced. It transformed smartphones into viable assistive technology devices and allowed blind users to experience the digital world with unprecedented ease. However, the state of VoiceOver on Mac today tells a different story.

Mac users who rely on VoiceOver continue to face bugs that have persisted for years, some dating back to 2010. These long-standing issues render basic tasks cumbersome and diminish the usability of Apple’s devices for those who depend on assistive technology. Accessibility issues range from VoiceOver failing to read certain interface elements to inconsistent behaviour when navigating apps. These unresolved bugs are a glaring indictment of Apple’s commitment—or lack thereof—to the disabled community.

As a community, blind users have sent feedback to Apple time and again, outlining these issues in detail. But the silence is deafening. Despite being an assistive technology provider, Apple appears to prioritize annual software releases over fixing the foundational problems that make its devices accessible in the first place. For power users who rely on their devices for productivity and efficiency, this annual release cycle feels more like a step backward than progress.

A Tone-Deaf Culture Making Accessibility Advocacy Impossible

One of the most frustrating aspects of Apple’s decline in accessibility is its tone-deaf corporate culture. For years, Apple has been reluctant—or outright dismissive—when it comes to engaging with accessibility advocates. This creates a barrier for those trying to communicate the pressing issues faced by disabled users. Feedback often feels as though it disappears into a void, with little to no acknowledgment or action taken.

Apple’s PR machine, particularly around events like Global Accessibility Awareness Day, touts its efforts in accessibility as if they are acts of noble generosity. However, the disabled community understands the reality: Apple does not make these advances out of altruism but rather out of necessity. It is not charity; it’s business. Disabled users are an integral part of Apple’s customer base, yet the company’s actions often suggest they are little more than inspiration pawns—used for marketing campaigns to highlight inclusivity while real issues remain unaddressed.

The Dangerous Myth of Gratitude

Within the disabled community, some voices perpetuate a damaging notion: that we should simply be grateful for whatever accessibility features Apple provides. This sentiment, born from the fact that Apple brought a screen reader to the iPhone, actively hinders discourse. While gratitude for innovation is natural, it should never excuse declining quality or dismiss systemic issues that hurt the very people those features are meant to serve.

Disabled users deserve the same level of quality and attention to detail as sighted users. Accessibility is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Holding Apple accountable for its shortcomings should not be seen as ingratitude but as advocacy for equity. To accept anything less is to undermine the progress that has been made and to abandon hope for a better future.

The Impact on Power Users

For power users, Apple’s unwavering focus on annual release cycles has become a source of major frustration. These quick turnarounds prioritize flashy new features over stability, leaving accessibility bugs unresolved year after year. For those who depend on Apple’s devices for professional and personal productivity, this decline has tangible consequences.

Power users are not asking for the moon; they are asking for reliable tools that work as promised. When accessibility issues linger for over a decade, it is clear that Apple has not made them a priority. The reality is that companies like Google have stepped in to fill the gap. Android devices, once derided as less accessible, have now become viable alternatives for many disabled users. The shift is evident—at Accessible Technology Solutions alone, numerous customers who were loyal to Apple for over a decade have transitioned to Android because it simply allows them to get work done.

The Call to Action: Vote with Your Wallets

Apple’s complacency is not unique; history has shown that market leaders often falter when they rest on their laurels. While Apple is not yet in the same trouble as Nokia was in its final days, its arrogant attitude toward accessibility issues and its resistance to meaningful change has not gone unnoticed. Disabled users and advocates have the power to hold Apple accountable—not just through feedback but through their purchasing decisions.

Voting with your wallet is one of the most effective ways to demand change. By choosing alternative devices or platforms that prioritize accessibility, users can send a clear message to Apple: quality matters, and so do we. Brand loyalty should never be mixed up with productivity, and Apple would do well to remember that history has a way of repeating itself.

Time for Consumer Advocacy

Large U.S. firms that claim to represent the voice of consumers must also step up. Organizations that advocate for accessibility have a responsibility to put pressure on Apple to address its shortcomings. This is not just about blind users; it’s about ensuring equal access for all disabled individuals.

Apple’s status as a market leader in accessibility comes with responsibilities that it cannot afford to ignore. While its efforts deserve recognition, they also demand scrutiny. The disabled community is not asking for special treatment but for equitable treatment. And that begins with acknowledging the gaps in quality and addressing them with the urgency they deserve.

The Honeymoon Is Over

For years, Apple was the darling of the tech world, celebrated for its innovation and commitment to accessibility. But the honeymoon, as many power users will attest, is well and truly over. The time for complacency has passed, and the time for action is now. Apple must wake up from its slumber and realize that its dominance in accessibility is not guaranteed—it must be earned.

The disabled community will always thank Apple for its groundbreaking efforts, but it will also hold the company accountable for its shortcomings. Accessibility is not a privilege; it is a right. And Apple, for all its achievements, would do well to remember that.