At Samsung, innovation begins with empathy. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we pause to reflect on a simple yet powerful idea: technology should be for everyone. Inclusive technology that helps individuals with disabilities achieve their goals.

Whether it is a refrigerator that anticipates your needs, a smartwatch that recognises your voice, or a television that listens and responds, our goal remains unchanged.  We are creating meaningful experiences for everyone, regardless of ability.

We prioritize accessibility in our products by addressing vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive needs, ensuring that everyone has an equitable experience.

Accessibility is a Design Principle

At Samsung, accessibility is a design principle. It is a lens through which we approach innovation. From the nascent stages of product development, Samsung designers and engineers work hand-in-hand with users with diverse abilities.

This philosophy guides everything—from tactile buttons on remote controls to AI voice assistance in our home appliances.

Led by its “AI for All” vision, Samsung continues to develop smart home appliances that are intuitive and convenient for diverse home environments. These accessibility features are designed to make appliances easier to use for individuals with disabilities and older adults, reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusive design.

Intelligence That Understands and Adapts

The Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator, for instance, uses advanced AI to learn routines and preferences, reducing effort and enhancing usability for everyone, including those with mobility or cognitive challenges. It’s about designing appliances that not only respond but anticipate. Samsung appliances enhance everyday living by offering accessibility, adaptability, and aesthetic design, all at once.

From Refrigerators to Vacuum Cleaners, for specific products, find all features here:

https://www.samsung.com/in/sustainability/accessibility/home-appliances/

The Galaxy Ecosystem

Inclusive by Design, the Galaxy wearable ecosystem, accessibility and AI go hand-in-hand. From gesture controls to real-time voice feedback and customizable touch interactions, these devices empower users to navigate their world more independently—no matter their ability. The launch of Galaxy Ring marks a massive leap in Samsung’s commitment to democratize cutting-edge technology for everyone, helping users turn data into meaningful insights and create a whole new world of expanded, intelligent health experiences. Galaxy Ring is not just another wearable, it’s a revolutionary health-tech device that blends innovation with accessibility.

Find a detailed overview of all the features here:

https://www.samsung.com/in/sustainability/accessibility/mobile/

Visual Innovation for All

Samsung Neo QLED TVs offer innovations like AI-powered captioning, audio description, and screen reader functions, helping users with hearing or vision impairments experience entertainment on their own terms.

You can access all the accessibility features related to Vision, Hearing and Mobility here:

https://www.samsung.com/in/sustainability/accessibility/tv-audio/

Technology is powerful when it includes everyone. As we observe Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we remain committed to breaking down barriers and building bridges—with every product, every update, and every idea. At Samsung, “AI for All” is not a tagline. It’s our promise.

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16, Samsung Newsroom has outlined the accessibility features of Bespoke AI appliances that allow easy and convenient use for all.

Designed With Mobility in Mind

Both Samsung’s Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub and Bespoke AI Laundry Combo feature Auto Open Door — a function that helps users open the doors of these appliances. Refrigerator doors will open with a light touch, and laundry machine doors will open when turned on or when a cycle is complete. This function makes appliance use much easier for people who may struggle with opening doors such as the elderly or those in wheelchairs.

▲ Bespoke AI Laundry Combo with Auto Open Door

Full Control Through Audio and Voice

Bixby’s¹ voice command feature allows users to control devices around the home using only their voice, relieving the burden of device operation for people with low vision. Through voice commands, Bespoke WindFree Air Conditioner stand models can control other home appliances — such as refrigerators and washing machines — once connected to SmartThings.

Devices that offer Voice assistant audibly read user commands and the status of each appliance. Included on select Samsung air conditioners and robot vacuum cleaners, this feature will be expanded via a software update to the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo and other products equipped with AI Home — a 7-inch LCD touchscreen panel that helps control home appliances.

Accessible sounds — available on select refrigerator models for people with low vision — provide audio feedback in a series of distinct sounds with varying scales and syllable breaks, allowing users to better navigate operation controls. Samsung is now expanding this feature to Bespoke AI refrigerators and other products, so users can easily adjust the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

▲ A usage example of Samsung Bixby’s voice command feature

Created for All Ages

Samsung is expanding its Senior Care feature to more appliances via AI Home to enhance readability through larger fonts.

Additionally, select induction cooktops feature Child Lock — a function that disables cooktop control to prevent accidental operation by children or pets. The lock can be controlled remotely on the SmartThings app.

Samsung plans to accelerate its development of accessibility technology under the slogan “AI for All” so that convenience in daily life can be enjoyed by everyone.

※ Availability of the features and functions mentioned above may vary by country and region, for applicable models only.

※ When connecting to the SmartThings is required: Users must download the SmartThings app available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

¹ Bixby recognizes select languages and certain accents/dialects. The user interface may change and differ by device. The availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary depending on the country/carrier/language/device model/OS version. A Samsung account log-in and an internet connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required.

When innovative technology meets great design, our lives can become more convenient. Samsung Newsroom spoke with inspiring people who use Samsung products and features to unlock new possibilities and enhance their lives.

Exploring the World Together

It is only natural for parents to want to share special moments together with their children, especially as they grow curious about the world and find joy in discovering new things. For parents with visual impairments, exploring the world with children requires a different approach.

“This is an apple, and this is a puppy.”

Children often point at objects they don’t know as they grow up and learn about their surroundings. With Bixby Vision for accessibility, parents with visual impairments can find out what their children are curious about as the device narrates for them. Even if parents aren’t able to see what’s in front of them, they can experience the world with their children through sound.

[Bixby Vision for Accessibility]

With an easy setup and simple interface, Bixby Vision vocally describes what it sees, helping people make sense of the world around them. Bixby Vision supports scene describer,¹ object identifier,² text reader and color detector.

* On smartphones and tablets: Settings → Accessibility → Spoken assistance → Bixby Vision for accessibility
** Service availability and content providers may vary by country, device, OS and One UI version.

Enjoying the World Together

Everyone is different — even members of the same family. For CODA³ families, hearing children converse with their parents who are deaf through sign language. As children grow up, parents want to learn more about what their children are experiencing and enjoying.

“Mom, look at that. Isn’t it funny?”

With Sign Language Zoom, it’s easier for CODA parents to better understand what their children are watching through a bigger sign language screen. Now, the entire family can enjoy their time in front of the TV and share even more laughter and joy together.

[Sign Language Zoom]

Sign Language Zoom automatically recognizes and enlarges the sign language area, enabling users who are deaf to see more detailed mouth and facial expressions. You can specify a sign language area and adjust the magnification by up to 200%. Users who are deaf or hard of hearing can also use this function to zoom in on a specific area of the screen, such as scores for sporting events or quiz programs.

* On TVs: Home → Menu → Settings → All settings → General & Privacy → Accessibility → Sign Language Zoom Settings
** Available on all Samsung Smart TVs released in 2021 or later.

Sharing With the World

Each and every one of us is different, with our physical abilities changing over time. Given the diverse range of experiences being lived by others around the world, it is important that everyone feels empowered to do what they want, meet who they want and live the life they want.

“I want to inspire people through social media.”

People with physical disabilities can seamlessly take, edit and share selfies on social media using the Assistant menu on Samsung smartphones or tablets. With the Assistant menu, everyone can use their personal devices to communicate and meet new friends.

[Assistant menu]

The Assistant menu lets you easily control your phone by simply tapping a shortcut icon to access hardware buttons, apps, features and other settings.

* On smartphones and tablets: Settings → Accessibility → Interaction and dexterity → Assistant menu

Staying in Tune With the World

For people who are deaf and hard of hearing, navigating the world can take a different shape. With this in mind, it’s important for them to receive everyday notifications in new ways.

“Light can become a language of its own.”

Light can help those who are deaf and hard of hearing receive the information they need in their day-to-day life. SmartThings uses lighting to notify users when someone’s at the door, when meals are ready or when the laundry is done. Light has become a way to communicate through SmartThings.

[SmartThings]

Sync your devices and appliances via the SmartThings app to control and get notifications about your air conditioner, washing machine, fridge and more.^* Then, connect partner products such as door sensors, lights and thermostats to automate and simplify your own day-to-day routine^** — like setting your smart light to dim or change colors once the laundry is done.

* To set notifications

• On smartphone and tablets: SmartThings app → Menu → Notifications → More (⋮) → Notification settings
• On TVs released in 2021 or later: SmartThings app → Settings → Notifications

TV notifications are limited to minimize any interruptions to the viewing experience.

** To set SmartThings routines

• SmartThings app → Automations → Add (+) Create routine
  

Possibilities Never Before Imagined

Samsung believes these stories can foster a world where all people benefit from the convenience enabled by technology.

Users with disabilities have utilized Samsung’s features in creative ways to enhance their lives — despite the fact that some functions were not originally designed as accessibility features. To this end, Samsung has provided new ways for users to interact with its products and services and has taken inspiration from real-life cases to develop stories with guidance from the Samsung Accessibility Committee⁴ and Samsung Family Supporters.⁵

Samsung hopes to continue creating accessible designs that unlock new possibilities so everyone will be empowered to lead meaningful, independent lives.

From the UX Team of the Corporate Design Center, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

* This article consists of stories based on interviews with people with disabilities and guidance from Samsung Family Supporters, an organization made up of Samsung employees and family members with disabilities.
** Illustrations by KIMUSTUDIO, an organization working with talented designers with developmental disabilities who create artistic pieces that challenge long-held stereotypes that have previously created prejudices in art.

¹ Scene describer mode currently supports English (US), French, German, Italian, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish (Spain).
² Object identifier mode supports 54 languages, which are the same languages supported in the translation feature.
³ CODA is an acronym for Children of Deaf Adults, referring to children raised by at least one guardian who is deaf.
⁴ The Samsung Accessibility Committee works closely together with designers and developers to continuously improve the accessibility experience for all Samsung users.
⁵ Together with Samsung Family Supporters, consisting of Samsung employees and family members with disabilities, Samsung assesses the needs of users across the spectrum to create ease of use for all.

By working with users and listening to their feedback, Samsung has developed accessibility features to empower individuals with visual impairments for Galaxy devices.^1,2 To mark this year’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the company is putting a spotlight on the three features which have enabled many Galaxy users to live more freely.

Transforming Lives with Innovations

The idea behind Bixby Vision is a simple one. It’s designed to give people the ability to gain more information about their surroundings by using a smartphone’s camera. The new accessibility features, namely Quick Reader, Scene Describer, and Color Detector, build on this capability to help users with visual impairments navigate the world and enjoy more enriching experiences.³

Understanding labels and signs is a daily challenge for users with visual impairments. By reading out written text in real-time, Quick Reader helps these users gain a better understanding of textual information in daily life.⁴

The feature can also recognize over 1,000 common objects and items. From identifying food and vegetables in the kitchen to locating cleaning products, it can help users carry out daily routines with ease.

Scene Describer provides descriptions of any images, including captured scenes and downloaded pictures. This could help users identify potential obstacles when they are navigating their surroundings.

While it’s possible for people with visual impairments to identify the materials and design of their clothes by touch, it’s difficult to do the same when it comes to distinguishing between different colors. The Color Detector provides a way to address this.⁵ With a simple camera scan, the feature can inform users of the color of the item in the frame.

“Before these features came to Bixby Vision, I had trouble picking my work clothes and identifying objects in the office alone,” says Kwangman Moon, a Galaxy user with visual impairment. “Now, I don’t need to give up on these simple tasks just because I can’t see.”

Collaborating with Users

Receiving users’ feedback is essential for the development of any mobile feature. For the latest Bixby Vision accessibility features, Samsung’s collaborative approach takes on even more significant importance.

“One of the problems we faced when testing the features with visually impaired users is that their way of experiencing the world is different from ours,” says Mikael Fodor, UX researcher at Samsung Research United Kingdom. “Being able to observe how the features work in the hands of our users and in real life situations allows us to understand problems and make improvements scientifically.”

For users who collaborate with Samsung engineers, being able to improve accessibility features and help others in similar situations overcome challenges is an empowering process.

“Many companies ask us to share our opinions regarding accessibility features. But for societal, technological, and institutional reasons, our feedback rarely gets reflected in their products,” says Sangjun Kim, a user who contributes to improving the accessibility of Galaxy smartphones. “By contrast, Samsung takes into account even the smallest feedback to improve app features. It’s been a special experience to see my feedback reflected in the real product.”

An Inclusive Mobile Future

While the latest accessibility features on Bixby Vision, as well as the high-contrast theme and Light Sensing on One UI 2, represent a key milestone in Samsung’s innovation history, the company understands that creating an inclusive environment on mobile devices is an ongoing process. Driven by the commitment to make mobile technology truly accessible to everyone, Samsung will continue to collaborate with users to develop boundary-pushing yet meaningful innovations.

¹ Since 2016, Samsung Electronics has been running the Samsung Supporters program, which works with users with disabilities to improve accessibility features.

² New accessibility features, including Quick Reader, Scene Describer, and Color Detector, are available on Galaxy devices with Bixby Vision 3.5 or above.

³ Availability of Scene Describer may vary by region.

⁴ Quick Reader supports 57 languages.

⁵ Color Detector can discern between 33 different colors.

Samsung Electronics creates technology that is accessible and easy-to-use for customers, regardless of their age, race, gender, or ability. Following Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16, Samsung has released a visual story that details how the company designs products for everyone.