Apple create emoji set to better represent users with disabilities

Date
26 March 2018
Above

Apple

Apple has worked with the American Council of the Blind, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and the National Association of the Deaf to create 13 new emojis to represent those with disabilities.

Guide dogs, wheelchair and stick users, an ear with a hearing aid and a robotic arm and leg are included in the set, which has been proposed to Unicode Consortium, which is responsible for agreeing to a new emoji. If the set is approved, the icons will be available to smartphone users by early 2019.

“Currently, emoji provide a wide range of options, but may not represent the experiences of those with disabilities,” Apple said. “Diversifying the options available helps fill a significant gap and provides a more inclusive experience for all.”

Share Article

Further Info

About the Author

Bryony Stone

Bryony joined It's Nice That as Deputy Editor in August 2016, following roles at Mother, Secret Cinema, LAW, Rollacoaster and Wonderland. She later became Acting Editor at It's Nice That, before leaving in late 2018.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.