Apple has proposed 13-new accessibility emojis to be joined in the upcoming Unicode emoji release. The new list includes guide dog, hearing aid, prosthetic limbs, as well as people using canes and different types of wheelchairs. The new suite also adds emoji for people with disabilities.
Apple has submitted its formal request to Unicode, the consortium that governs the standard that includes emojis. The total list includes 13 new emojis are proposed when options for men and women are taken into account, or 45 in total when also including the options for skin tones.
The aim behind the move is to diversify the options available to help fill a significant gap and provides a more inclusive experience for all. The new symbols feature men and women with probing cane, an index finger pointing to the cheek, representing the ‘deaf sign, icons of a hearing aid, person in an electric wheelchair, guide dog with a harness, and a prosthetic arm.
The next Unicode Technical Committee meeting will take place in the coming month at Adobe Headquarters in San Jose and if approved, these characters would be shortlisted for Emoji 12.0 which will release in first-half of 2019. While the Emoji 11.0 will roll out in the second-half of 2018.
Apple in the proposal has said:
Apple is requesting the addition of emoji to better represent individuals with disabilities. Currently, emoji provide a wide range of options, but may not represent the experiences of those with disabilities.