Accessibility at Microsoft

Accessibility is a business practice that is part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing efforts which focus on integrity and responsibility in our business practices. As responsible leaders, our commitment to developing innovative accessibility solutions started when the corporation was in its infancy. As we evolved to be a technology leader, our technologies have opened up new opportunities and added convenience and value in schools, offices, and homes.

Mission:

At Microsoft, our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. We have been striving to deliver on our promise to our customers by creating technology that is accessible to everyone—regardless of age or ability. Assistive technology is particularly helpful for individuals who experience visual difficulties, pain in the hands or arms, hearing loss, or cognitive challenges. In relation to computers, accessible technology is defined as:

• Accessibility options that let you personalize the computer display, mouse, keyboard, sound, and speech options in Windows and other Microsoft products.
• Assistive technology products 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.
• And, interoperability between assistive technology products, the operating system, and software programs. This is critical for assistive technology products to function properly.

Strategic Approach:

Microsoft takes a strategic approach to accessibility by focusing on integrating accessibility into product planning, research and development, product development, and testing. We actively promote this integrated approach as a best practice within the industry by:

• Continuing our longstanding commitment and leadership in accessibility research, awareness, and innovation.
• Making the computer easier to see, hear, and use by building accessibility features into Microsoft products.
• 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.

Key focus areas:

Our accessibility efforts are concentrated in four key areas:

• Accessibility in our products
• Leadership and awareness
• Research for Innovation
• Collaboration

Accessibility in our products: External Link

Accessibility is a fundamental consideration during product design, development, and testing. Microsoft builds accessibility options into products that enable everyone to personalize their PCs to make them more comfortable and easier to see, hear, and use. Many Microsoft products feature accessibility and personalization options; Windows is also compatible with a wide range of assistive technology products—such as screen readers, magnifiers, and specialty hardware—that meet the needs of computer users with all types of impairments.

Leadership and awareness

At Microsoft, our commitment to developing innovative accessibility solutions started more than two decades ago. Our longstanding commitment to accessibility research, awareness-building, innovation, and collaboration reflect our evolution to a global leader in the realm of accessibility.

Research for InnovationExternal Link

Microsoft facilitates the next generation of accessible technology and moves the industry forward with groundbreaking technologies. Microsoft also strives to lead the industry in approaching accessibility in new ways through accessibility-related research and development projects including large-scale nationwide studies, targeted usability, and one-on-one interviews.

Collaboration

Microsoft collaborates with a wide range of organizations to raise awareness of the importance of accessibility in meeting the technology needs of people with disabilities. We work with academic institutions, industry bodies, global standards bodies, and policymakers to achieve harmonization in worldwide accessibility standards and practices. Understanding the need for the industry to work together to bring about the much awaited change in the field of Assistive Technology, we have started working with industry leaders through our involvement in organizations such as the Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) and the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) to improve the ecosystem and interoperability across the industry.