We just wrapped up the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, where more than 20,000 participants from 164 countries connected virtually to talk about the exciting overlap of AI and accessibility. Microsoft’s commitment to accessibility goes way back—over 30 years, in fact—from the early days of Windows 95 to today’s newest AI-driven hardware and software. We’re pushing the boundaries of innovation faster than ever, and it’s people with disabilities who are leading the charge.
Accessibility isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a fundamental right and it actually simplifies tech for everyone. Microsoft’s technologies are being used globally with this mindset in mind. Features like Copilot for Microsoft 365 are transforming workplace productivity, while apps like Edge are helping over 10 million users have web content read aloud each month. Immersive Reader is assisting over a million people in making webpages easier to digest, and partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics are leveraging AI to enhance accessibility across the globe. And these are just a few of the highlights from today’s event!
Let’s dive into the fresh, accessible products, features, and programs we unveiled at the 2025 Ability Summit.
So, what’s on tap for 2025? Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Joystick is finally here, available for purchase actually, but only through the Microsoft Store. With an impressive 429 million gamers with disabilities out there, it’s clear that each player has unique preferences and needs. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick caters specifically to players with limited mobility with its versatile, wired design, blending seamlessly into various gaming setups. Developed alongside the Gaming and Disability community from the ground up, this joystick joins our lineup of adaptive accessories like the mouse, pen, adaptive kit, and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For more insights, head over to Xbox Support.
We’re also proud of our packaging, which is both accessible and eco-friendly—say goodbye to those pesky plastic clamshells! Our Packaging and Content Team debuted its Accessible Packaging Design Guide today, offering practical advice and strategies to create inclusive packaging that consumers will trust.
At the Summit, we saw some fascinating collaborations on advancing accessibility:
Tobii Dynavox is bringing Microsoft’s Neural Voice, powered by Azure AI Speech, into their assistive technology. This feature allows people who rely on eye gaze for communication to have more personalized speech options, now available in over 50 languages through their TD Talk and TD Phone apps.
Microsoft Teams is getting a major upgrade for users utilizing Sign Language View. Soon, Teams will detect when someone is signing and spotlight them as the main speaker. These video customizations are a testament to our commitment to clear and accessible communication.
Copilot is proving to be invaluable in empowering neurodiverse talent. An EY survey recently found that it boosted performance for 76% of neurodiverse employees by enhancing communication, memory, and focus. We showcased how tools like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are making work easier at the Summit, featuring stories from four early Copilot adopters in New York.
AI enhancements are heading to Narrator too. Expect rich image descriptions powered by AI in the Windows Insider Preview this spring. Azure AI Foundry also announced new improvements to its user interface, aiming to reduce cognitive load.
Our Accessibility Skilling program has reached over 5 million learners globally, thanks to partnerships with Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York. This free, virtual training includes up-to-date lessons on AI and can be integrated into organizational learning systems.
Speech recognition technology saw a 60% improvement in accuracy for non-standard speech, thanks to the Speech Accessibility Project led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Meanwhile, the Azure team showed off how developers can use GitHub Copilot to craft accessible code.
Special Olympics demonstrated how Copilot has become an essential training aid for their coaches and athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, gearing up for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
All this phenomenal progress is possible because there are visionaries who innovate with accessibility in mind. It’s rewarding to see how technology makes workplaces more productive and efficient for everyone. This is beautifully illustrated in a feature of Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors at Microsoft. He shared how accessible tech has empowered his leadership journey.
Moving forward, Microsoft’s 30-plus-year emphasis on accessibility remains unwavering. Accessibility doesn’t just make our tools and technology more user-friendly; it also drives global innovation. From Sticky Keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to Seeing AI in 2016, our accessibility innovations have touched lives in expected and unexpected ways. For instance, consider how closed captions have become essential for everyone catching up on videos and calls.
AI holds the promise to deliver incredible advancements across our economy and society. As always, we remain committed to releasing new tech responsibly, ensuring it’s placed in the hands of those who stand to benefit the most.
Whether you’re new to the Ability Summit or a repeat participant, we’re grateful for your involvement. We trust you discovered a feature, skill, or insight today that will help you or your organization optimize technology use. All summit content will be available for on-demand viewing after the event.
Let’s forge ahead together!
