Today we hosted the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, where over 20,000 participants from 164 countries came almost together to discuss the future of AI and accessibility. Microsoft has a long-term obligation to invest in accessibility, grounded in our business model and go back over three decades from the earliest accessibility features of Windows 95 and continue today with new hardware and software functionalities driven by AI. We innovate faster than ever before and people with disabilities continue to go ahead.
Accessibility is a basic right for people with disabilities and makes technology easier for everyone. We see that this is reflected in how customers use Microsoft technologies around the world. Copilot to Microsoft 365 Unlock the workplace like never before, more than 10 million people use Edge every month to have the internet Read aloudOver 1 million people are using Immersive reader To make web pages easier to read, and partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics bring AI to people with disabilities globally. And these are just some of the highlights of what we shared today!
Here is a quick overview of the new accessibility products, features and programs announced at the Ability summit in 2025.
What is new in 2025?
We announced that Xbox adaptive joystick is now only available for purchases in Microsoft Store. With more than 429 million players with disabilities around the world, we know that each player has unique needs and preferences for how they choose to play. Xbox -Adaptive Joystick is a unique, cable associated controller, which is primarily designed to meet the needs of players with limited mobility. Its versatility helps players smoothly to incorporate it into their existing game setups. Built with the gaming and disability community that informs the development of Xbox products from the start. Joystick joins our family with adaptive accessories including mice, pen, adaptive kit and Xbox adaptive controller. Visit Xbox Support for more details.
And all our Microsoft hardware comes in packaging designed to be available and sustainable. No more plastic seashells! To help others with available packaging, today at the Summit Packaging and Content Team at Microsoft published its available Packaging Design Guide, offering practical guidelines, best practices and strategies to create available packaging and promote a trusted customer experience.
At the summit, Microsoft Teams and Partners also shared ways they work to promote the availability of technology:
- Tobii Dynavox Integrates Microsoft Neural Voice, A capacity of Azure AI speech to their helpful communication solutions. This AI-run feature provides more personal options for individuals who use helping communication devices using eye ship. Neural voices are available in over 50 languages ​​within their apps TD Talk and TD phone.
- Microsoft -teams are improved for those who use sign language view. Later in the year, teams will be able to identify when someone uses sign language and contains them prominently talking at the meeting. These video settings are part of our ongoing product development to help deliver clear and accessible communication for everyone.
- Copilot Driver Neurodiverse Talent. Recently, an EY survey found that Copilot helped 76% of Neurodiverse employees work better at work by improving communication, memory calls and focus. At the summit, we shared how new simple features like Team Refow and PowerPoint designer help people do their job. See four early adopters of copilot in New York share their stories.
- AI is coming Tells. Rich Image descriptions driven by AI come to narrator in Windows Insider Preview this spring, and Azure AI Foundry announced new UI improvements to reduce cognitive load.
- Over 5 million students Around the world has participated in our accessibility development program, and we are grateful for our partners, including Teach Access, Computacenter UK and City of New York. The free, virtual training includes the latest at AI and is available for organizations to use in their learning management systems.
- Speech recognition improved up to 60%. The project for speech availability, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, unlocked a breakthrough that improved accuracy gains for non-standard speech, and the Azure Platform team demonstrated how developers can utilize GitHub Copilot to write available code.
- Special Olympics Shared how Copilot has been a game -changing training buddy for their coach and athletes with intellectuals and developmental disabilities for Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
All this progress is possible because of the people who design technology with accessibility in mind. In this way, technology benefits from everyone and creates a more productive and efficient workplace. It is beautiful to see that it is reflected in this profile by Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors at Microsoft, where he shared how accessible technology helps him thrive as a leader.
Further
For over 30 years, Microsoft has focused on accessibility in our products. Accessibility makes our tools and technologies easier for everyone and speeds up innovation for the world. From the introduction of sticky keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to see AI in 2016 and beyond, accessibility innovations benefit people in ways we designed and ways we could never have expected. Just think about how closed captions are now invaluable to anyone watching videos and calls.
AI has the potential to make significant progress across any sector in our economy and society. We will continue to be rooted and responsible in our approach when we work to get the latest technology for the people who can take the most benefit from it.
Whether this is your first or fifteenth ability -Thank you for joining and we hope you pick up a new feature, skill or nugget that helps you, your society or your organization get the most out of the technology. All content will be available to look for the event.
Let’s get on together.