Accessibility Mission, Strategy, and Progress

Mission

Accessibility makes it easier for anyone to see, hear, and use a computer, and to customize their computing environment according to their own preferences, needs, and abilities. For many people, accessibility is what makes computer use possible.

At Microsoft, our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. We consider our mission statement a promise to our customers. We deliver on that promise by striving to create technology that is accessible to everyone—including people who experience the world in different ways because of impairments and disabilities.

Strategy

Our accessibility strategy focuses on integrating accessibility into product planning, research and development, product development, and testing. We strive to ensure Microsoft Windows remains an outstanding platform of choice that other companies can use to develop innovative accessible and assistive technologies.

Accessibility is a business practice that is part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing efforts. Around all of the Trustworthy Computing efforts is a focus on integrity and responsibility in our business practices, both internal and external. Microsoft recognizes that trust in computer technology is directly related to trust in the technology industry. As a global leader, Microsoft gets particularly close scrutiny.

Microsoft takes a strategic approach to accessibility by:

Making the computer easier to see, hear, and use by building accessibility features into Microsoft products.
Continuing our longstanding commitment and leadership in accessibility research, awareness, and innovation.
Ensuring that Windows is the best platform for accessibility innovation for assistive technology manufacturers, and
Building strong, collaborative relationships with key government agencies and organizations that advocate on behalf of people with disabilities.

Progress

At Microsoft, our commitment to developing innovative accessibility solutions started more than two decades ago. Today, we are committed to enabling our customers to achieve their goals, regardless of impairments or difficulties.

Our accessibility efforts are concentrated in four key areas:

Building accessibility into our products
Leadership and awareness
Research and technology innovation and,
lndustry collaboration

Building accessibility into our products

Microsoft builds accessibility options right into our products to enable everyone to personalize their PC to make it easier and more comfortable to see, hear, and use. Accessibility options are particularly useful for computer users with vision or hearing loss, discomfort in hands or arms, or learning impairments. We also work to ensure Microsoft Windows is compatible with assistive technology products, which are specialty software and hardware products (such as screen readers and specialty keyboards) that provide essential computer access to individuals with significant vision, hearing, dexterity, language, or learning needs.

Many Microsoft products feature accessibility and personalization options. Specifically:

Windows Vista and Windows 7 include the Ease of Access Center, a centralized location where you can get quick access to explore and manage accessibility options. Windows 7 introduces significant improvements to Magnifier, On-Screen Keyboard, and adjusting fonts (through DPI). Magnifier now includes a lens mode and full-screen mode. On-Screen Keyboard can be resized to make it easier to see and includes text prediction to help speed up typing. Learn more about accessibility options in Windows.
Internet Explorer provides flexibility to use the browser in the way that best suits your needs and preferences. Customize text, styles, and colors, enjoy complete keyboard accessibility, and zoom in on Web pages. Learn more about accessibility options in Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8.
2007 Office system is more accessible than ever, making it easier for everyone to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with rich content. Finding commands you need is easier with the new user interface. SmartArt™ graphics tools make it possible to create complex graphics and diagrams without a mouse. The Zoom tool makes resizing your work area faster and easier.

Leadership and awareness

People in every walk of life and business pursuit use accessibility solutions every day to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. As business leaders, we recognize our responsibility to hire a diverse workforce that includes employees with disabilities, and to help other businesses learn how to integrate accessible technology into their businesses.

Microsoft raises awareness of accessible technology every day by publishing in-depth information about accessible technology, empowering accessibility trainers and experts, and engaging in press activities. Our efforts include:

Publishing the Microsoft Accessibility Web site and Accessibility Update newsletter, which provide in-depth information about the accessibility of our products, including product demos, easy-to-use tutorials, and resource guides.
Creating the Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center network throughout the United States to provide low-cost accessibility consultation to businesses, schools, and individuals looking for accessible technology solutions.
Helping schools integrate students with disabilities and develop more inclusive classrooms by offering information and resources, including the guide "Using Accessible Technology: A Guide for Educators" free to schools worldwide.
Providing guidance for businesses with aging workforces and employees with disabilities. Microsoft offers accessibility technology solutions to help businesses provide technology for employees and customers who have accessibility needs. Learn how to integrate accessible technology into your businesses technology plans and how to identify the right assistive technology solutions.
Hosting roundtable discussions with industry leaders in Washington D.C and in Brussels that highlight accessible technology innovations and trends of interest to accessible technology policymakers from governments as well as advocacy and consumer organizations.

Research and technology innovation

As a longtime leader in both the global software industry and the accessible technology market, we recognize our responsibility to raise the accessible technology standard for the entire industry through research and technology innovation. Specific research and innovation projects include:

Funding accessibility research to better understand the demand for accessible technology and how it is being used. We shared the study results to help foster collaboration and innovation throughout the industry. In addition, we invest in many ongoing research and development projects aimed at making computers more accessible and easier to use. Microsoft conducts computer science and software engineering research with the goals of enhancing the computing experience and inventing new computing technologies.
Hosting the Microsoft Accessibility Developer Center, a portal and community for developers to go for guidance, essential information, and tools and technologies for developing accessible applications and writing accessible code.
Working closely with assistive technology manufacturers to ensure our products are compatible with assistive technology software and hardware. Assistive technology products are specialty products designed to provide additional accessibility to individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities. Windows is compatible with a wide variety of assistive technology products—such as screen readers, magnifiers, and specialty hardware.
Developing Microsoft UI Automation which addresses the needs of assistive technology products and automated test frameworks by providing programmatic access to information about the user interface. In addition, UI Automation enables control and application developers to make their products accessible.

Industry Collaboration

Microsoft strives to build strong relationships worldwide with key government agencies and nongovernmental organizations that advocate on behalf of people with disabilities. Contributions include:

Participating in the Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA). The Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) brings companies together to collaborate on the design and delivery of solutions to long-standing accessible technology/information technology interoperability challenges. The Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) is an engineering working group dedicated to enabling developers to more easily create accessible software, hardware and Web products.
Collaborating with Novell. An expansion of technical collaboration to create a cross-platform accessibility framework to improve the way individuals with disabilities interact with computers.
Participating in the Multiple Sclerosis Technology Collaborative. This landmark alliance of organizations is passionate about helping people with multiple sclerosis (MS) maximize their abilities. The alliance brings together leaders from the pharmaceutical, technology, and patient advocacy sectors, including Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Microsoft's Accessibility Business Unit, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Supporting Digital Inclusion. Through our Unlimited Potential program, Microsoft works with governments and NGOs to provide technology access and skills training to disadvantaged people—including many people with disabilities—in community-based technology learning centers worldwide.
Making Reading Easier for People with Print Disabilities. People with print disabilities, such as blindness or dyslexia can now access the information contained within the billions of existing Word documents at the same time as their sighted peers—free of charge—as a result of collaboration between Microsoft Corporation, Sonata Software Ltd., and the DAISY Consortium.
Working Closely with Advocacy Groups and Member Associations. This work includes working closely with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). One outcome of this alliance is the federal internship program, designed and funded by Microsoft and managed by AAPD, which places talented young people with disabilities in competitive summer internships at government agencies in Washington, D.C.