Apple proposes new emojis to represent people with disabilities

According to reports, Apple has proposed a new set emojis that would represent people with disabilities. In its submission to Unicode Consortium, the tech giant requested "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. Diversifying the options available helps fill a significant gap and provides a more inclusive experience for all," the request noted. 

Apple's submission is available in the public domain on Unicode's official website. The submission iterated Apple's belief that "technology should be accessible to all".

"One in seven people around the world has some form of disability, whether that be a physical disability involving vision, hearing, or loss of physical motor skills, or a more hidden, invisible disability. The current selection of emoji provides a wide array of representations of people, activities, and objects meaningful to the general public, but very few speak to the life experiences of those with disabilities," the submission read. 

The proposed set of nearly 13 emojis includes a person with a wheelchair, a hearing aid emoji among others. 

If approved, the emojis are likely to go live for public use in 2019.