Apple Leads Swift Playgrounds Course In Austin Helping Blind And Low Vision Students

Apple engineers visited the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired earlier this week where the company leads its Everyone Can Code curriculum. According to Austin Satesman of Open Source, this was the first class Apple has led for blind and low-vision students.

Using the built-in VoiceOver feature from iOS, students were able to complete assignments on the iPad’s Swift Playgrounds app. Students were also given the opportunity to go outside and fly Parrot drones using the Swift Playgrounds app.

A technology teacher at the school told Open Source (via MacStories):

Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s director of accessibility says:

Aside from the Everyone Can Code curriculum, Swift Playgrounds has been growing at a rapid pace and has become a staple in classrooms. However, Apple’s accessibility features and its plan to make it a focus on all of its products is an even more incredible feet. I personally know friends who stick with Apple devices because accessibility features are lackluster or nonexistent on other platforms.