19 March 2025
Microsoft’s 15th annual Ability Summit brought together over 20,000 attendees from 164 countries to explore the future of AI and accessibility. The event highlighted Microsoft’s commitment to investing in accessibility, with a focus on empowering people with disability through technology.
New Announcements and Updates
- The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is now available for purchase, providing a versatile gaming solution for players with limited mobility.
- Microsoft Teams will soon feature improved Sign Language View, prominently displaying sign language users in meetings.
- Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered productivity tool, is enhancing neurodiverse talent and improving workplace productivity.
- Narrator, Windows’ built-in screen reader, will soon feature AI-powered rich image descriptions.
Partnerships and Collaborations
- Tobii Dynavox is integrating Microsoft Neural Voice into their assistive communication solutions.
- Special Olympics is leveraging Copilot to support coaches and athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For more information, please read Microsoft’s article on the Ability Summit.