Steve Wozniak Reflects on Apple’s Origins & Accessibility Goals In Exclusive Interview

Steve Wozniak has said that improving access for disabled users was part of the original vision behind Apple, while also expressing concern about today’s shift toward cloud-based, subscription-driven technology. 

 

Speaking exclusively to Double Tap, Wozniak revisited Apple’s early history, clarified misconceptions about his role, and outlined hopes for the future of personal computing. He stated that his contribution to Apple’s founding is often misunderstood, noting that he independently designed both the Apple I and Apple II computers. “I totally designed… the Apple I and the Apple II,” he said, adding that early designs were shared openly with hobbyists before Apple formally commercialised them. 

 

He highlighted the Apple II’s impact, particularly in making computing more accessible and affordable. By enabling colour graphics and software-based development, it allowed non-experts, including children, to create programs—something he described as a “huge step” in bringing computers into homes. 

 

On accessibility, Wozniak confirmed that making technology more inclusive was an early ambition. “We were going to make people more capable with computers and especially those handicapped, blind or with hearing loss,” he said. He added that lowering costs and making computers personal were key to achieving this, as it allowed technology to reach individuals rather than remain limited to institutions.

 

While he did not directly work on modern accessibility tools such as screen readers, Wozniak said current developments align with the original ethos. “Eventually… there are people that care… and they’ll develop technology to help them get through life,” he noted.

 

The interview also touched on Wozniak’s personal experience with prosopagnosia (face blindness), which he developed following a 1981 plane crash. He explained that while he can recognise older faces, he struggles to form new facial memories. However, he said this condition did not influence his earlier engineering work, as it occurred after Apple’s formative years. 

 

Looking ahead, Wozniak expressed concern about the evolution of technology business models. He criticised the industry’s move toward cloud services and subscriptions, arguing that users have lost a sense of ownership. “I like to own things… in the old days… you could hold it in your hand,” he said, contrasting this with modern platforms that “route [users] through the cloud” and retain control over content and services. 

 

He also warned about what he described as “entrapment” within large technology ecosystems, citing platforms such as social media and app-based services that encourage habitual use and limit user control.

Despite these concerns, Wozniak said Apple’s enduring focus on customer experience and privacy remains a defining characteristic of the company. 

 

Wozniak’s comments come as Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, offering his personal take on the company’s founding principles at a time when accessibility and digital ownership are increasingly debated. For the blind and low vision community, his remarks reinforce the long-standing role of personal computing in enabling independence, while also raising questions about how modern service-based ecosystems may affect accessibility, control, and affordability in the future.