Today, we had the pleasure of hosting the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, which saw over 20,000 participants from 164 countries gather virtually. Our focus was the future of AI and accessibility. For more than three decades, Microsoft has been dedicated to advancing accessibility, from the first features in Windows 95 to the latest AI-powered innovations in hardware and software. We’re innovating at a breakneck pace, guided and inspired by individuals with disabilities.
Ensuring accessibility is not just a necessity for those with disabilities; it enhances technology for everyone. This philosophy is evident in how people around the globe use Microsoft technologies. For instance, Microsoft 365’s Copilot is transforming workplace efficiency, over 10 million users engage Edge for its Read Aloud functionality each month, and more than a million rely on Immersive Reader for easier readability. Collaborations with partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics are extending AI’s reach to better the lives of people with disabilities worldwide. These were just some of the highlights we offered today!
Here’s a snapshot of the exciting new products, features, and programs we unveiled at the 2025 Ability Summit.
What’s new in 2025?
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, which is now available exclusively via the Microsoft Store. With a remarkable 429 million gamers with disabilities globally, we understand that each player has unique preferences. This wired Adaptive Joystick caters specifically to those with limited mobility, allowing easy integration into any gaming setup. This joystick, created with input from the Gaming and Disability community, complements our suite of adaptive devices, including a mouse, pen, adaptive kit, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Dive into more details at Xbox Support.
Additionally, every piece of Microsoft hardware now arrives in eco-friendly, accessible packaging—say goodbye to those pesky plastic clamshells! At the Summit, our Packaging and Content Team shared the Accessible Packaging Design Guide, designed to offer actionable insights, best practices, and strategies to craft accessible packaging, ensuring a trustworthy customer experience.
Throughout the Summit, our teams and partners highlighted various advancements propelling accessibility via technology:
Tobii Dynavox is integrating Microsoft Neural Voice, an Azure AI Speech feature, into its assistive communication solutions. This AI tool offers eye-gaze users more personal communication options in over 50 languages through apps like TD Talk and TD Phone.
For Sign Language View users, Microsoft Teams is stepping up its game. Later this year, Teams will be able to recognize users signing and elevate them in meetings, ensuring they’re spotlighted. These video adjustments are part of our ongoing commitment to providing clear, accessible communication for all.
Empowering neurodiverse talent, Copilot has proven revolutionary. An EY study found it boosted performance for 76% of neurodiverse employees by enhancing communication, memory, and focus. At the Summit, we explored how features like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are making waves in the workplace. Hear from four pioneers of Copilot in New York as they share their journeys.
AI enhancements are coming to Narrator, with Windows Insider Preview soon offering rich image descriptions. Plus, Azure AI Foundry announced new UI improvements to ease cognitive demands.
Through our Accessibility Skilling program, over 5 million learners globally have gained new skills, thanks to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and New York City. These free, virtual training sessions offer up-to-date insights on AI, and organizations can seamlessly incorporate them into their learning systems.
Speech recognition takes a leap forward, improving accuracy by up to 60%. Spearheaded by the University of Illinois, the Speech Accessibility Project made notable strides for non-standard speech. The Azure platform team also showcased GitHub Copilot’s ability to help developers write accessible code.
And impressively, the Special Olympics revealed how Copilot has transformed training for coaches and athletes ahead of the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
This progress is driven by those designing tech with accessibility in mind—an effort that ultimately enriches productivity and efficiency for all. A compelling example can be seen in Dave Dame, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors, who shared how accessibility fuels his leadership.
Onward
For more than 30 years, Microsoft’s commitment to accessibility has been unwavering. These efforts enhance our tools for everyone and catalyze global innovation. From the inception of Sticky Keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to the introduction of Seeing AI in 2016, accessibility innovations have continually provided unexpected benefits. For instance, think about how essential closed captions have become for video and call consumption.
AI holds the potential to spur significant advancements across various sectors of our society and economy. Our approach remains grounded and responsible as we seek to deliver cutting-edge technology to those poised to benefit the most.
Whether it was your first or your fifteenth time at the Ability Summit, thank you for joining us. We hope you discovered a new feature, skill, or insight to help you, your community, or your organization maximize technology gains. You can watch all the sessions post-event.
Let’s forge ahead collectively.
