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

Today marked a milestone with our 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, as over 20,000 passionate individuals from 164 countries gathered virtually to explore the crossroads of AI and accessibility. Microsoft’s been championing accessibility for over 30 years, from the early days of Windows 95 to today’s AI-driven innovations. It’s with the insight and leadership of people with disabilities that we’re pushing the boundaries faster than ever.

Accessibility isn’t just about inclusion; it simplifies technology for all users. This is evident in how people globally utilize Microsoft tools. With features like Copilot for Microsoft 365 boosting workplace productivity, over 10 million users engaging with Edge’s Read Aloud each month, and the remarkable 1 million individuals employing Immersive Reader for easier web reading, the impact is clear. Companies like Tobii Dynavox and events like the Special Olympics showcase AI’s role in empowering individuals with disabilities worldwide.

Here’s a sneak peek into the groundbreaking accessibility announcements from the 2025 Ability Summit.

What’s new in 2025?

We’re thrilled to announce that the Xbox Adaptive Joystick is now available exclusively at Microsoft Store. With a diverse gaming community of over 429 million players with disabilities, we understand every player’s unique preferences. This wired, single-purpose controller is tailored for gamers with limited mobility, effortlessly fitting into various gaming setups. Developed in close collaboration with the Gaming and Disability community, it adds to our range of adaptive accessories, joining the likes of the mouse, pen, adaptive kit, and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For more info, check out Xbox Support.

Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond products; it’s in our packaging too. We’ve ditched those pesky plastic clamshells for eco-friendly alternatives. At today’s Summit, the Packaging and Content Team released their Accessible Packaging Design Guide, providing essential strategies to help create packaging that’s both accessible and sustainable.

During the Summit, Microsoft teams and partners showcased their faith in advancing accessibility through technology:

• Tobii Dynavox is leveraging Microsoft Neural Voice, part of Azure AI Speech, within their assistive tech. This integration offers more personalized speech options for eye gaze communication devices users. With over 50 languages supported in their applications TD Talk and TD Phone, the possibilities are vast.
• Microsoft Teams is advancing with enhancements for Sign Language View. By year-end, it will identify when someone uses sign language, ensuring their visibility as a speaker. This is part of our ongoing effort to enable efficient and clear communication.
• Copilot shines for neurodiverse talent. A recent EY study revealed that Copilot enhanced performance for 76% of neurodiverse employees by boosting communication and focus. At the Summit, we highlighted innovations like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer, which are transforming how people work. Early adopters in New York shared their invaluable experiences with Copilot.

Further developments were shared, such as:

• AI-driven image descriptions coming to Narrator in Windows Insider Preview this spring, and Azure AI Foundry announcing UI changes to minimize cognitive strain.
• Over 5 million global learners have engaged with our Accessibility Skilling program, and thanks to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York, this free, virtual training focusing on AI is now available in learning management systems.
• A 60% boost in speech recognition accuracy, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Speech Accessibility Project, heralded a new era for non-standard speech accuracy. The Azure team also demonstrated using GitHub Copilot to write more accessible code.
• The Special Olympics illustrated how Copilot serves as a transformative training tool for their coaches and athletes, particularly for the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

It’s the dedication of technologists focused on accessibility that drives these advancements, benefiting us all. This journey is captured beautifully in the profile of Dave Dame, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors, as he shares how such technology empowers his leadership.

Onward

Microsoft’s three-decade journey with accessibility continues to transform how we design products, making life easier not just for some, but for all. From early innovations like Sticky Keys and speech recognition, to modern breakthroughs like Seeing AI, we’ve seen accessibility evolve in unexpected and essential ways. Closed captions, once a niche feature, are now crucial for video consumption everywhere.

As AI unlocks new potential across every field, we remain committed to delivering responsible, cutting-edge technology to those who need it most.

Whether this year marks your first or fifteenth Ability Summit, thank you for joining us. It’s our hope you discovered a feature or insight that enriches you, your community, or your organization. Don’t worry if you missed anything; all the event’s content will be available for replay.

Let’s embrace the future together.