Microsoft Ability Summit 2025: Navigating Accessibility in the Age of AI

Today’s gathering marked the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit. We had the privilege of connecting with over 20,000 participants from 164 countries, all convening virtually to explore the intersection of AI and accessibility. For over three decades, Microsoft’s dedication to accessibility has been woven into our business ethos, from the introduction of accessible features in Windows 95 to today’s innovative hardware and software, bolstered by AI advances. Our pace of innovation is accelerating, and individuals with disabilities are at the forefront of this transformative journey.

The principle of accessibility is not only a right for individuals with disabilities; it’s a gateway to creating technology that’s user-friendly for everyone. This commitment is evident in the way our customer base worldwide leverages Microsoft’s technological offerings. Our Copilot for Microsoft 365 has become a catalyst for unprecedented productivity in workplaces. Every month, over 10 million users engage with Edge’s Read Aloud feature, while more than a million people turn to the Immersive Reader for easier web content consumption. Moreover, partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics are harnessing AI to enhance accessibility for the disabled community across the globe. These are just a few highlights shared during the summit!

Here’s a rundown of the exciting new accessibility products, features, and programs unveiled at the 2025 Ability Summit:

What’s New for 2025?

A standout announcement was the launch of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, now available exclusively at the Microsoft Store. With a global gaming community that includes over 429 million players with disabilities, it’s crucial to cater to diverse gaming preferences and needs. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick, a versatile, wired controller, addresses the requirements of gamers with limited mobility, seamlessly integrating into existing gaming setups. Developed with input from the Gaming and Disability community, it complements our existing range of adaptive accessories, including the mouse, pen, adaptive kit, and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For further details, you can visit Xbox Support.

Moreover, all Microsoft hardware is now packaged in accessible and eco-friendly materials—wave goodbye to those pesky plastic clamshells! At the summit, the Packaging and Content Team released the Accessible Packaging Design Guide, a useful resource offering guidelines and strategies to ensure packaging is both accessible and trustworthy for customers.

Participants in the summit also shared strides we’re making to enhance accessibility through tech innovations. For example:

• Tobii Dynavox is incorporating Microsoft Neural Voice, a feature of Azure AI Speech, into their assistive communication solutions. This advancement allows for more personalized interactions for users of eye-gaze technology. Their apps, TD Talk and TD Phone, now support Neural Voices in over 50 languages.
• Microsoft Teams will soon improve its Sign Language View, ensuring those using sign language are spotlighted during meetings. This enhancement is part of our ongoing effort to ensure seamless and accessible communication.
• Copilot is revolutionizing the work environment for neurodiverse individuals. According to a recent EY study, 76% of neurodiverse employees found improved performance at work through Copilot’s support in communication, memory recall, and focus. New features like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are also proving beneficial, with early adopters in New York sharing uplifting stories.

Additionally, AI-driven enhancements are being introduced to the Narrator feature, with rich image descriptions arriving in the Windows Insider Preview soon. The Azure AI Foundry is also unveiling UI improvements to reduce mental load.

Our Accessibility Skilling program has engaged over 5 million learners globally, thanks in part to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York. This free, virtual training includes the latest AI insights and is available to organizations for integration into their learning management systems.

Finally, the Speech Accessibility Project, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, achieved a breakthrough with a 60% improvement in speech recognition accuracy for non-standard speech cases. The Azure platform team showcased how developers can utilize GitHub Copilot to develop more accessible code.

During the summit, the Special Olympics highlighted how Copilot has become an invaluable training aid for coaches and athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly as they prepare for the upcoming World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

All these achievements stem from a concerted effort to design technology with accessibility at its heart. It’s about making technology more efficient and productive for everyone. A fitting example is Dave Dame, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors, who shared his own leadership journey, enriched by accessible technology.

Looking Ahead

For more than 30 years, Microsoft has consistently prioritized accessibility in its products. Enhancements in accessibility not only simplify technology for all users but also fuel global innovation. From introducing Sticky Keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to the debut of Seeing AI in 2016, our accessibility innovations have extended their intended benefits in unimaginable ways. Consider how closed captions have become indispensable across video and conference call platforms.

AI holds immense potential to drive progress across all sectors. As we strive to extend the latest technologies to those who can gain the most from them, we’ll remain grounded and responsible in our approach.

Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned attendee of the Ability Summit, we’re grateful for your participation and hope you gained useful insights or features to enhance your experience with technology. All summit content will remain accessible post-event.

Together, let’s embrace the future.

Tags: accessibility, AI, AI for Accessibility, Azure, Azure AI Foundry, Microsoft Ability Summit, Microsoft Teams, Xbox