Microsoft recently hosted its 15th annual Ability Summit, a virtual gathering that brought together over 20,000 attendees from 164 countries to discuss the future of AI and accessibility.
Microsoft’s dedication to accessibility spans more than three decades, starting with early accessibility features in Windows 95. Today, driven by AI, the company continues to innovate in hardware and software. Microsoft emphasizes that accessibility is a fundamental right and improves technology for everyone, which the company sees reflected in how people around the world use its products.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is transforming workplace productivity, with over 10 million people using Edge’s Read Aloud feature each month. Furthermore, more than one million people use Immersive Reader, and partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics are bringing AI to people with disabilities globally. These are just some of the highlights from this year’s summit.
New Announcements at the 2025 Ability Summit
One of the key announcements was the availability of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, now exclusively at the Microsoft Store. Designed in collaboration with the gaming and disability community, this wired controller addresses the unique needs of players with limited mobility, seamlessly integrating into existing gaming setups. It joins a family of adaptive accessories, including the adaptive mouse, pen, and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For more details, visit <Xbox Support>. Microsoft’s hardware packaging is also designed to be accessible and sustainable.
To further support accessible packaging, Microsoft’s Packaging and Content Team published an <Accessible Packaging Design Guide>, offering guidance for creating accessible and trusted customer experiences.
Advancing Accessibility Through Technology
During the summit, Microsoft teams and partners detailed how they are advancing accessibility through various technologies:
- Tobii Dynavox: Integrating Microsoft Neural Voice, powered by Azure AI Speech, into its assistive communication solutions. This offers more personalized options for individuals using eye gaze assistive communication devices. Neural Voices are available in over 50 languages within their apps TD Talk and TD Phone.
- Microsoft Teams: Will improve Sign Language View, allowing the system to identify and prominently feature sign language users in meetings later this year. These video customizations aim to deliver clear and accessible communication.
- Copilot: Is supporting neurodiverse talent, with an EY study finding that Copilot helped 76% of neurodiverse employees perform better at work. New features like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are helping people with their work.
- Narrator: Will receive rich image descriptions powered by AI in Windows Insider Preview this spring. Azure AI Foundry announced new UI improvements focused on reducing cognitive load.
- Accessibility Skilling Program: Over 5 million learners worldwide have participated in the Accessibility Skilling program, a free, virtual training inclusive of the latest AI technology and available for organizations to use in their learning management systems, thanks to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York.
- Speech Recognition: Experience improvements of up to 60% through the Speech Accessibility Project, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Azure platform team demonstrated the power of GitHub Copilot when writing accessible code.
- Special Olympics: Shared that Copilot has been a game-changing training companion for coaches and athletes with intellectual and development disabilities during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
This progress stems from the people who design technology with accessibility at its core. This results in a more productive and efficient workplace. Microsoft has been committed to accessibility for over 30 years, and its innovations have benefitted many.
AI has the potential to create significant advancements across all sectors of the economy and society. Microsoft is committed to a responsible approach when working to provide the latest technology to the people who can benefit from it the most.
Whether this was your first or fifteenth Ability Summit, thank you for joining. Microsoft hopes that you picked up a new feature, skill, or nugget that helps you, your community, or your organization get the most out of technology. All content will be available to watch after the event.
Let’s move forward together.
