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Overview
macOS includes a wide range of built-in accessibility features designed to help users customize their Mac based on their individual needs. Accessibility features support vision, hearing, mobility, speech, and other accessibility requirements and can be used temporarily or on an ongoing basis.
Accessibility settings can be accessed through:
Apple menu → System Settings → Accessibility
Available features may vary depending on the macOS version, country, region, and language.
Available To
macOS Accessibility Features are built into macOS and available to all Mac users. No additional software installation is required.
Users can enable and customize the features that best meet their accessibility needs.
Getting Started
- Select the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select System Settings.
- Select Accessibility from the sidebar.
- Choose the accessibility category that meets your needs.
Vision
Vision accessibility features include:
- VoiceOver – A built-in screen reader that reads information displayed on the screen.
- Zoom – Magnifies the screen or portions of the screen.
- Larger text and icons – Increases the size of onscreen content.
- Display and colour adjustments – Adjusts colours and other display settings.
- Pointer customization – Makes the pointer easier to see.
- Spoken content – Reads selected text aloud.
Hearing
Hearing accessibility features include:
- Live Captions – Provides real-time captions for supported spoken audio.
- Subtitles and closed captions – Customizes how captions are displayed.
- Hearing devices – Supports compatible hearing devices.
- Audio adjustments – Provides options to customize audio for accessibility.
- Sound notifications – Helps notify users when certain sounds are detected.
Mobility
Mobility accessibility features include:
- Voice Control – Allows users to control their Mac using spoken commands.
- Accessibility Keyboard – Provides an onscreen keyboard.
- Full Keyboard Access – Allows users to navigate controls using the keyboard.
- Switch Control – Enables control of the Mac using adaptive switches and other assistive devices.
- Head Pointer – Allows users to control the pointer using head movements.
- Dwell – Performs actions when the pointer remains over an onscreen item for a specified period.
Speech
Speech accessibility features include:
- Live Speech – Allows users to communicate by typing text that is spoken aloud.
- Personal Voice – Allows users to create a personalized synthesized voice.
- Vocal Shortcuts – Allows spoken words or sounds to trigger actions.
- Siri accessibility settings – Provides additional options for using Siri with accessibility needs.
Tutorials & Related Resources
Apple Support – Get started with accessibility features on Mac
Accessibility features for vision on Mac
Accessibility features for hearing on Mac
Accessibility features for mobility on Mac
Accessibility features for speech on Mac