Accessible Technology
Another in a series of Microsoft essays outlines the steps Microsoft and other companies are taking to ensure that people with disabilities can take full advantage of technology's benefits at home, work and school.
At a time when many sectors of the United States economy, including the technology industry, are facing worker shortages, an opportunity exists to tap into a huge pool of qualified individuals - the estimated 8.5 million people with disabilities who want to work but remain unemployed.
Last fall, Microsoft and the National Business & Disability Council created the Able to Work Consortium, a coalition of 22 leading companies, including AT&T, Bank of America, the Ford Motor Co., IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Lucent Technologies and Procter & Gamble.
The goal of Able to Work is to raise awareness about the value of recruiting and hiring people with disabilities - in all industries - and to provide concrete tools and information to help businesses understand and tap into this highly motivated work force.
At the same time, as technology plays an increasingly significant part in our lives - at work, home and school - it's vital that the estimated 54 million people in the United States, and millions more around the world living with disabilities, are able to take advantage of the same benefits technology offers to everyone else.
These advances include new learning opportunities, access to information, entertainment and e-commerce on the Internet, and, of course, the tools to be more productive in the workplace.
As a leader in the technology industry, Microsoft has long recognized that it has a responsibility to develop products and information technologies that are accessible to and usable by all people, including those with disabilities.
For over a decade, Microsoft has been making accessibility a consideration at every phase of the software development process. Today, Microsoft's Accessibility and Disabilities Group works closely with our product developers, as well as with disability advocates, to ensure that accessibility features are included in Microsoft products.
For years, a number of Microsoft's leading products have contained features designed specifically for people with disabilities. Windows 98, Office 2000, the Internet Explorer feature in Windows, and the soon-to-be-released Windows 2000 all contain features that make them usable by people with a variety of disabilities.
For example, Windows 98 includes an Accessibility Wizard for easier screen, keyboard and navigation customization. Microsoft Windows 2000 features several useful new accessibility tools, such as the Narrator, On-screen Keyboard and Magnifier to help people with disabilities who do not have full-featured accessibility aids available.
These accessibility features, along with a host of assistive technology developed by third parties, are another example of the way technology empowers people, and specifically how they can help reduce unemployment for many of the people with disabilities who want to work.
Studies have shown that once hired, people with disabilities have lower turnover rates and generally use no more sick leave than other employees. By overcoming challenges most people take for granted, people with disabilities also are naturally adept at out-of-the-box thinking, which often translates into unique perspectives and creative approaches to problem solving. In addition, employers can receive significant tax breaks and credits for hiring and accommodating people with disabilities.
Microsoft is proud of its work creating accessible technologies and a more accessible workplace. Last year, our company was recognized by WE Magazine, a lifestyle publication for people with disabilities, as one of 10 companies that go far beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to recruit and accommodate employees with disabilities.
As the 10th anniversary of the ADA approaches, in July 2000, Microsoft invites other companies to join our efforts to help create new resources and job opportunities to take advantage of the professional contributions and commitment people with disabilities have to offer.
