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

We recently wrapped up the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, drawing in a bustling crowd of over 20,000 virtual attendees from an impressive 164 countries, all keen to delve into the evolving landscape of AI and accessibility. Microsoft has been a steadfast supporter of accessibility for over 30 years, a mission deeply woven into our business DNA. Our journey began with accessibility innovations in Windows 95 and has grown to include today’s cutting-edge AI-powered hardware and software. It’s an exciting time, and the creativity of people with disabilities is lighting the path for this rapid innovation.

Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a basic right that enhances technology for everyone. This belief comes alive in how our global community uses Microsoft products. For example, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is revolutionizing workplace efficiency. We see over 10 million users each month utilizing Edge’s Read Aloud feature, and over a million are turning to Immersive Reader for a better web experience. Our partners, like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics, are leveraging AI to support people with disabilities worldwide. These are just some highlights from what we shared today!

Here’s a quick rundown of the fresh products, features, and initiatives unveiled at the 2025 Ability Summit.

What’s New in 2025?

We introduced the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, now available exclusively at the Microsoft Store. With more than 429 million gamers with disabilities globally, we recognize that each player has unique needs and gaming preferences. This joystick, designed for players with limited mobility, integrates effortlessly into existing gaming setups. Developed in collaboration with the Gaming and Disability community, the joystick expands our adaptive accessory lineup, complementing the mouse, pen, adaptive kit, and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For more information, visit Xbox Support.

Our commitment to accessibility extends to packaging as well—say goodbye to plastic clamshells! Today, the Packaging and Content Team at Microsoft launched the Accessible Packaging Design Guide at the Summit, offering practical guidelines and best practices to create accessible and sustainable packaging solutions that enhance customer trust.

During the Summit, our teams and partners highlighted several ways they are pushing accessibility forward through technology:

Tobii Dynavox is incorporating Microsoft Neural Voice, a feature of Azure AI Speech, into their communication tools. This technology offers users personalized voice options in over 50 languages using eye gaze within their TD Talk and TD Phone apps.
Later this year, Microsoft Teams will enhance its Sign Language View. The platform will automatically identify sign language users, spotlighting them as prominent speakers during meetings. These enhancements are part of our continuous efforts to deliver smooth and accessible communication for everyone.
Copilot is emerging as a powerful tool for neurodiverse employees. An EY study showed that 76% of neurodiverse team members saw improved performance at work through better communication, memory, and focus. At the Summit, we showcased how simple features like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are transforming how people work. Early adopters in New York shared their success stories.
AI enhancements are also heading to Narrator, bringing rich image descriptions and reducing cognitive load through new UI improvements announced by Azure AI Foundry.
Our Accessibility Skilling program has educated over 5 million learners globally, thanks to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York. This free, virtual training, spotlighting the latest in AI, is available for integration into organizational learning systems.
The Speech Accessibility Project, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has achieved a significant leap in accuracy for non-standard speech recognition, enhancing outcomes by up to 60%. Azure’s platform team demonstrated how developers can use GitHub Copilot to write more accessible code.
For the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, Copilot is revolutionizing how coaches and athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities prepare, serving as an invaluable training ally.

This progress is possible thanks to the dedication of those who design technology with accessibility at its core. These efforts not only foster greater productivity and efficiency but also ensure technology benefits everyone. It was inspiring to hear from Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors at Microsoft, about how accessible technology empowers him as a leader.

Onward

For more than three decades, Microsoft has woven accessibility into the fabric of our offerings, making our tools user-friendly and driving global innovation. From launching Sticky Keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to unveiling Seeing AI in 2016, our innovations have touched lives in expected and surprising ways. Just think about how closed captions have become essential for everyone on videos and calls.

AI holds transformative potential across various sectors of the economy and society. We remain committed to a responsible and grounded approach as we deploy cutting-edge technology to those who stand to gain the most.

Whether this summit marks your first participation or your fifteenth, thank you for joining us. We hope you discovered new features or skills to enhance how you, your organization, or your community can leverage technology. All summit content will be available for viewing post-event.

Let’s continue this journey forward together.