Apple has a long history of embedding accessibility deeply into its products rather than treating it as an optional extra. That message comes through clearly in the company’s latest short film (I'm Not Remarkable), which shows students with a range of disabilities using iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and AirPods in everyday situations.

There’s no inspirational framing and no sentimentality. Just people using technology that works for them.

 

 

What the Film Highlights

The focus is on real students using real features in realistic ways: studying, communicating, navigating campus and managing day-to-day tasks. The film doesn’t present accessibility tools as special modes. They’re simply core parts of the device experience.

It’s a quiet but powerful message: accessibility is everyday design.

My prior post, Authentic Representation Matters More Than You Think explains why representation matters, and Apple have provided a master class in how to do it well.

The Lyrics

The lyrics of the song carry so much meaning, I perticularily liked:

Don’t wanna be admired,
I am not your inspiration,
If you want to be inspired,
There’s a library down the hall

Apple clearly did their homework to ensure that this respresents the disabled community authentically and in a way that help educate that we are all remarkable.

Accessibility Features Shown in the Film

*Hearing Aid features require AirPods Pro 2 or later paired with a compatible device running the latest software. Availability can vary by region.

 

Why This Matters

Most tech companies talk about accessibility. Fewer show it being used meaningfully. Apple’s film avoids the familiar clichés and instead centres disabled users as ordinary participants in everyday life, supported by tools that make their devices fully usable.

For many people, features like VoiceOver, Live Captions or AssistiveTouch aren’t optional. They’re the gateway to independence. Normalising them as standard device features helps shift expectations across the industry.

As someone who uses VoiceOver daily, I am greateful that the technology is built in and available on any or my families devices, should I need to use them.

 

Closing Thoughts

The film offers a clear reminder that accessibility isn’t a bonus feature for a select few. It’s a design foundation that benefits everyone. By showing real students using these tools without fanfare, Apple demonstrates what inclusive technology can look like in practice.