Revolutionizing Tech: Exclusive AI & Accessibility Upgrades Hit Android, Chrome & Beyond!

Key Points

• Improved Speech Recognition: Google’s Project Euphonia expands to support more languages and cultural contexts, enhancing accessibility for non-standard speech.
• Enhanced Chromebook Accessibility: Students using Chromebooks for exams now have access to built-in accessibility features like ChromeVox and Dictation.
• Chrome Browser Updates: New features like OCR for scanned PDFs and Page Zoom for Android improve accessibility for millions of Chrome users.

Google Boosts Accessibility Across ChromeOS, Chrome, and Beyond

In a significant push towards inclusivity, Google is rolling out updates to make its ecosystem more accessible. These changes span ChromeOS, the Chrome browser, and the broader Google ecosystem, focusing on speech recognition, education, and everyday browsing.

Global Speech Recognition Improvements

• Project Euphonia, launched in 2019, aims to make speech recognition more accessible for individuals with non-standard speech. New open-source resources are now available on GitHub, enabling developers to create personalized audio tools and train models for diverse speech patterns. This move supports a wider range of languages and cultural contexts, particularly in Africa. Google.org has partnered with University College London to establish the Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI), which is developing open-source datasets in 10 African languages and building new speech recognition models.

Enhanced Accessibility for Students on Chromebooks

• For students with disabilities, Chromebooks are becoming even more inclusive. Existing features like Face Control (facial gestures for navigation) and Reading Mode (customizable reading experiences) are now joined by seamless integration with College Board’s Bluebook testing app. This means students taking exams like the SAT or Advanced Placement tests on their Chromebooks can utilize Google’s built-in accessibility features, including ChromeVox screen reader and Dictation, alongside the app’s digital testing tools.

Chrome Browser Updates for a More Accessible Experience

• With over 2 billion daily users, Chrome is focusing on ease of use and accessibility. Recent updates include:
  • OCR for Scanned PDFs: Previously inaccessible scanned PDFs on desktop Chrome can now be interacted with using screen readers, thanks to Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. This allows users to highlight, copy, and search text within these PDFs.
  • Page Zoom for Android: This feature, already available on desktop, lets Android users increase text size without altering webpage layouts, ensuring a smoother browsing experience. Users can customize zoom levels and apply preferences to all visited pages or specific ones.

These updates underscore Google’s commitment to making its ecosystem more inclusive. As the company continues to support developers and organizations worldwide, users can expect even more accessibility features across ChromeOS, Chrome, and the broader Google ecosystem.

What’s Next for You?

• Developers: Explore Project Euphonia’s GitHub resources to contribute to more inclusive speech recognition technologies.
• Students and Educators: Leverage the integrated accessibility features in Chromebooks for a more supportive learning and testing environment.
• Chrome Users: Update your browser to access the latest accessibility features, enhancing your daily browsing experience.

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