Empowering Accessibility: AI Innovations at the Microsoft Ability Summit 2025

Today marked the 15th year of the Microsoft Ability Summit, a significant milestone attracting over 20,000 participants from 164 countries. This virtual gathering aimed to explore the intersection of AI and accessibility. Microsoft’s dedication to accessibility is not a new endeavor; it stretches back over 30 years, from the early days of Windows 95 to current innovations. Our efforts continue to accelerate with remarkable advances in both hardware and software driven by AI, and prominently guided by individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility not only supports people with disabilities but also enhances technology usability for everyone. This principle is evident in how Microsoft products are embraced globally. For instance, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is revolutionizing workplace productivity, over 10 million people utilize Edge’s Read Aloud feature monthly, and Immersive Reader has over a million users simplifying webpage interactions. Collaborations with partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics further highlight how AI is expanding reach to people with disabilities worldwide. These instances are just glimpses of what we discussed at today’s summit.

Here’s a snapshot of the new accessibility products, features, and initiatives revealed for 2025:

What’s New in 2025?

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick has been launched, available exclusively via the Microsoft Store. With a global community of over 429 million gamers with disabilities, we understand that each player might have unique preferences and requirements for gaming. This versatile, wired controller is specifically crafted for players with limited mobility, allowing seamless integration into their gaming experiences. This joystick joins our adaptive product lineup, which includes a mouse, pen, adaptive kit, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Interested in more details? Head over to Xbox Support.

Moreover, we’ve revolutionized our hardware packaging to ensure it’s both accessible and sustainable—no more pesky plastic clamshells. To assist others, our Packaging and Content Team presented an Accessible Packaging Design Guide at the summit, filled with practical guidelines, best practices, and strategies to develop accessible packaging and enhance customer trust.

During the summit, various Microsoft teams and partners demonstrated how they are leveraging technology to push the boundaries of accessibility:

Tobii Dynavox is integrating Microsoft Neural Voice—part of Azure AI Speech—into their assistive communication tools, offering personalized options for eye gaze users. These Neural Voices span over 50 languages in apps like TD Talk and TD Phone.

Microsoft Teams is set to improve for users who rely on Sign Language View. Later this year, the platform will recognize and highlight sign language users in meetings, facilitating better communication.

Copilot is breaking barriers for neurodiverse talent. A study by EY revealed that Copilot enhanced communication, memory, and focus for 76% of neurodiverse employees. Simple yet powerful features like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are creating a more inclusive work environment. At the summit, we heard inspiring stories from early adopters of Copilot in New York.

Narrator is also getting a boost with AI-enhanced rich image descriptions, available soon in the Windows Insider Preview. Meanwhile, the Azure AI Foundry team shared UI enhancements aimed at easing cognitive load.

Our Accessibility Skilling program has reached over 5 million learners globally, thanks to partners like Teach Access, Computacenter UK, and the City of New York. The training, which is free and online, incorporates the latest AI advancements and is accessible for organizational use.

Furthermore, the Speech Accessibility Project, helmed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has achieved a breakthrough with a 60% improvement in speech recognition for non-standard speech patterns. At the same time, Azure platform developers showcased how to use GitHub Copilot to write accessible code.

Special Olympics demonstrated how Copilot has transformed training for coaches and athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly for the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

All these strides are the result of dedicated creators who prioritize accessibility in their tech designs. It’s gratifying to see the profound impact of this dedication, as beautifully highlighted in a profile of Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors at Microsoft, where he discusses how accessible tech empowers his leadership journey.

Looking Ahead

Microsoft’s focus on accessibility spans decades, consistently making our tools and technologies more user-friendly and driving global innovation. From early breakthroughs like Sticky Keys and speech recognition to recent developments like Seeing AI, these advancements have anticipated and exceeded expectations. For instance, consider how universally essential closed captions have become in media consumption.

AI is poised to revolutionize every economic sector and societal facet. Our approach remains rooted in responsibility as we work to introduce cutting-edge technology to those who stand to gain the most.

Whether this is your first foray into the Ability Summit or your fifteenth, thank you for participating. We hope you’ve gained something valuable to enhance your technology experience, whether it’s a new feature, skill, or insight applicable to you or your organization. Rest assured, all content from the event will be available for viewing afterward.

Let’s step forward together.