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

Earlier today, we wrapped up the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit. This year, we saw an overwhelming turnout, with more than 20,000 participants from 164 countries joining in virtually to explore what the future holds for AI and accessibility. Microsoft’s dedication to accessibility isn’t new— it dates back more than thirty years, starting with Windows 95’s initial accessibility features. Today, we’re driving innovation at an unprecedented speed, with individuals with disabilities at the forefront.

Accessibility isn’t just a necessity for those with disabilities; it simplifies technology for everyone. This belief is evident in the ways people are harnessing Microsoft’s tech worldwide. For instance, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is revolutionizing workplace productivity. Over 10 million people each month enjoy the Read Aloud feature in Edge, and more than a million utilize Immersive Reader for webpage clarity. Partnerships with companies like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics highlight how AI is enhancing accessibility universally. These examples merely scratch the surface of the exciting announcements from today!

Let’s quickly run through the fresh accessibility initiatives and tools we introduced at the 2025 Ability Summit.

What’s new in 2025?

We proudly unveiled the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, now available exclusively at the Microsoft Store. With a stunning 429 million gamers with disabilities globally, we understand the importance of meeting players’ unique needs. This joystick is designed especially for gamers with limited mobility, offering exceptional versatility to blend seamlessly with existing gaming setups. This product came to life with significant input from the Gaming and Disability community, who help shape Xbox innovations from the get-go. Our adaptive product line has now grown, including items like the adaptive mouse, pen, kit, and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For more details, you can check Xbox Support.

All our Microsoft products come in packaging that’s as accessible as it is sustainable. Say goodbye to pesky plastic clamshells! During the Summit, Microsoft’s Packaging and Content Team released its Accessible Packaging Design Guide, a valuable resource packed with practical advice and strategies for creating easy-to-use, customer-friendly packaging.

At the summit, various Microsoft teams and partners showcased their ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility with technology. Let’s dive into some highlights:

• Tobii Dynavox: By integrating the Microsoft Neural Voice, part of Azure AI Speech, Tobii Dynavox is enriching assistive communication tools. This AI-driven feature provides personalized options for those using devices with eye-tracking technology. With availability in over 50 languages, apps like TD Talk and TD Phone are more inclusive than ever.

• Microsoft Teams: For users relaying on sign language, Teams is gearing up for improvements. By the end of the year, Teams will automatically spotlight individuals using sign language during meetings, ensuring they’re prominently featured as speakers. These video tweaks are a product of continuous development aimed at bettering communication for everyone.

• Copilot and Neurodiverse Talent: A recent study by EY reported that Copilot enhanced the performance of 76% of neurodiverse employees by boosting communication, memory, and focus at work. At the Summit, we demonstrated how simple tools like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer assist in accomplishing tasks more effectively. In New York, four pioneering users of Copilot shared inspiring stories on its impact.

AI will soon elevate Narrator’s capabilities with rich, AI-generated image descriptions set to launch in the Windows Insider Preview this spring. Additionally, Azure AI Foundry is offering fresh UI refinements to lessen cognitive demands.

Our Accessibility Skilling program has touched the lives of over 5 million students globally. We owe much of its success to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York. The series of free, virtual training, which covers recent AI advancements, is ready for integration into educational systems.

We’ve seen speech recognition improvements leap by up to 60%. Thanks to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Speech Accessibility Project broke new ground, significantly increasing accuracy for non-standard speech. The Azure platform team also demonstrated how developers could use GitHub Copilot to craft more accessible code.

The Special Olympics put a spotlight on how Copilot has become a trusty training ally for coaches and athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities gearing up for the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

All this progress rests on the dedication of those designing technology with accessibility in mind. It’s incredible to witness how this focus fosters a more productive and resourceful workspace for everyone. Take inspiration from Dave Dame, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors, who eloquently shared how accessible tech empowers him as a leader.

Onward

Microsoft has been championing accessibility in our products for over three decades. By ensuring our tools cater to everyone, we drive innovation worldwide. From pioneering Sticky Keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to launching Seeing AI in 2016, our accessibility advancements have uplifted users in ways we anticipated—and in ways we couldn’t have predicted. It’s akin to how closed captions are now a staple for video and call viewers everywhere.

AI harbors enormous potential to drive progress across sectors of our economy and beyond. We remain committed to deploying new technology responsibly so that it benefits those who need it most.

Whether this was your first Ability Summit or your 15th, thank you for being a part of it. We hope you discovered features, skills, or insights to help you, your community, or your organization leverage technology fully. Rest assured, all sessions will be available for viewing post-event.

Let’s journey onward together.