Last Updated: April 2026 | Reading Time: 4 minutes | Author: First and Geek Editorial Team

Apple’s efforts in visual accessibility have taken a step back according to a comprehensive new assessment from AppleVis, a community resource dedicated to helping blind, DeafBlind, and low vision users navigate Apple products. The organization’s 2025 Vision Accessibility Report Card reveals declining satisfaction across multiple categories, with particular concerns about recent interface changes and longstanding bugs that continue to frustrate users who rely on these critical features.

Key Takeaways

• Apple’s overall visual accessibility rating dropped from 3.9 to 3.7 out of 5 in AppleVis’s 2025 report card
• The Liquid Glass visual overhaul negatively impacted many low vision users
• VoiceOver and braille users expressed frustration with software quality and unresolved bugs
• Some bright spots emerged, including slight improvements in iPadOS Braille, tvOS Low Vision, and macOS Braille experiences
• Users continue to praise VoiceOver as a best-in-class screen reader despite ongoing quality concerns

Understanding the AppleVis Report Card

AppleVis, now owned by Be My Eyes and founded in 2020, serves as a valuable resource for the blind and low vision community using Apple products. Since 2023, the organization has published an annual report card focusing specifically on visual accessibility features, drawing inspiration from Jason Snell’s broader Six Colors Report Card that evaluates Apple’s overall performance.

The 2025 edition surveyed blind, DeafBlind, and low vision users who actively used Apple products throughout the year. Participants rated their experiences across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS on a scale of 1 to 5, with opportunities to provide detailed feedback about new features and Apple’s responsiveness to reported bugs.

What’s Behind the Declining Scores

The 0.2-point drop in Apple’s cumulative rating reflects two primary concerns that emerged from user feedback. The first involves the Liquid Glass interface redesign, which introduced visual changes that created usability challenges for people with low vision. While interface refreshes often aim to modernize the user experience, they can inadvertently create barriers for users who have adapted to existing visual patterns and contrast levels.

The second issue centers on software quality and what users describe as long-standing accessibility bugs that remain unaddressed. For those who depend on VoiceOver and braille displays as their primary means of interacting with devices, even small bugs can significantly disrupt daily tasks. The persistence of these issues suggests a gap between Apple’s accessibility aspirations and the real-world experience of some users.

Areas of Improvement

Despite the overall decline, three specific categories saw modest improvements with 0.1-point increases in user satisfaction. The iPadOS Braille User Experience, tvOS Low Vision User Experience, and macOS Braille User Experience all moved in a positive direction, suggesting that Apple’s accessibility teams have made meaningful progress in certain areas even as broader challenges persist.

VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader, continues to receive strong praise from users. Matthew Whitaker described it as “a first-class feature on every device,” while Leah Dykema called it “by far the best screen reader I’ve ever used.” These endorsements matter because they come from people who use screen readers every day and have experience with competing products. The technology itself remains highly regarded even as users express concern about bug fixes and quality control.

The Bigger Picture for Accessibility

Survey participants generally acknowledged Apple’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility features across its ecosystem. The company has made accessibility a prominent part of its public messaging in recent years, highlighting new features and improvements in product announcements and dedicated campaigns. This visibility helps normalize accessibility discussions and demonstrates that assistive technologies can benefit all users, not just those with specific needs.

However, the gap between Apple’s communication about accessibility and the day-to-day experience of users who rely on these features highlights an important reality: accessibility requires sustained attention to detail and prompt responses to reported issues. For someone using a screen reader or braille display as their primary interface, a bug that might seem minor to other users can make essential tasks difficult or impossible.

Why This Matters for All Technology Users

Accessibility features often end up benefiting far more people than their original intended audience. VoiceOver helps people navigate devices while driving or cooking. Voice Control assists anyone with temporary injuries. The lessons learned from making technology accessible to people with disabilities frequently lead to innovations that improve the experience for everyone.

The AppleVis report serves as a valuable accountability mechanism, providing detailed feedback from users who understand these features deeply because they depend on them. For families and individuals choosing technology platforms, Apple’s overall strong performance in accessibility remains a significant consideration, even as this year’s report highlights areas needing improvement.

First and Geek Verdict

Apple’s slight decline in visual accessibility scores reminds us that maintaining excellence requires constant attention, especially when introducing design changes or new features. The Liquid Glass interface may look fresh to many users, but it created genuine usability challenges for people with low vision. Similarly, the persistence of reported bugs suggests that accessibility quality assurance may need stronger prioritization within Apple’s development process.

That said, Apple continues to lead the consumer technology industry in accessibility features, and VoiceOver remains a genuinely impressive accomplishment that sets a high bar for competitors. The company has the resources and stated commitment to address the concerns raised in this report. For users evaluating platforms based on accessibility needs, Apple’s ecosystem still offers substantial advantages, though prospective users should be aware that the experience isn’t perfect and some frustrations persist. The full AppleVis report provides valuable detailed insights for anyone wanting to understand the current state of visual accessibility across Apple’s product line.