Unity adds support for built-in screen readers for macOS and Windows

Unity has updated its game engine to add native support for system screen readers on macOS and Windows, according to Can I Play That?

The feature is already available in the Unity 6000.3.0a5 alpha and allows developers to integrate menu narration without creating separate solutions for each game. This should make the process of creating games for blind players faster and cheaper.

Screen readers, such as Windows Narrator and macOS VoiceOver, provide voice recognition for interface elements, allowing visually impaired users to navigate games and software on their own. Previously, developers had to create their own voice recognition systems, which required planning early in development. According to industry experts, integrating such a feature directly into the engine significantly reduces the time and resources spent on game projects, as the main technical work will already be done at the platform level.

Unity already implemented an API to work with the built-in Android and iOS screen narrators in Unity 6.0, but support for desktop platforms was lacking. With the release of Unity 6.3, developers will have access to native screen narrators on all major engine platforms.

Given the widespread use of Unity in game development, implementing this feature could significantly expand the accessibility of future projects for visually impaired users.