Last year, we shared Forrester research on the growing role of assistive technology in the United States. Today, we’re excited to make these insights available globally across seven regions. One of the clearest takeaways: assistive technology isn’t niche. It’s becoming mainstream. Who doesn’t zoom in on their devices, use dark mode, or captioning? So many of us do! More than 70% of consumers say assistive technology is essential to their daily work, whether or not they have a disability. As technology evolves, expectations do too. Technology must work for everyone. This doesn’t happen by default. It happens by design. When we design with and for people with disabilities, we create better technology for everyone. Explore what this means for your market. Links to the seven regional studies are included at the end of this global report. Review the latest research: https://lnkd.in/ghKmkXvQ
Microsoft Accessibility
Technology, Information and Internet
Redmond, WA 1,946 followers
Making accessibility easier for everyone. Responsible Innovation. Built-In Accountability. Collective Impact.
About us
Our goal is to make accessibility easier for everyone. We are committed to driving responsible innovation and advancing shared progress so that accessible, trusted AI benefits everyone.
- Website
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https://microsoft.com/accessibility
External link for Microsoft Accessibility
- Industry
- Technology, Information and Internet
- Company size
- 10,001+ employees
- Headquarters
- Redmond, WA
- Specialties
- Accessible Technology, Accessibility Training, and Inclusive Innovation
Updates
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A year ago at Ability Summit 2025, we shared our Accessible Packaging Design Guide and made it free for anyone to use. What’s happened since is bigger than anything we could have built alone. Watch what happens when an industry moves together 👇 Amazon. Google. The Coca-Cola Company. ArtCenter College of Design. Tilt Beauty. Designers, engineers, and brands who are often competitors are now at the same table, sharing what works, and raising the bar for every customer who opens a box. This is the power of partnership. We can’t do this alone, and we shouldn’t. When we design for accessibility, outcomes improve for everyone. Grateful to every partner, advocate, and disability-led voice shaping this work. The momentum is real, and we’re just getting started. #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #AbilitySummit #AccessiblePackaging Neil Barnett https://lnkd.in/gusZRn_s
When we shared our accessible packaging guidelines, we made them free for anyone to use. What happened next exceeded expectations: companies across industries took that foundation and pushed it further, proving that progress accelerates when we build together. Inclusive design isn’t a feature; it’s better design for everyone.
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When barriers come down, people can show up fully and do their best work. Scope shows what inclusive innovation looks like in practice. https://lnkd.in/gT4u5uqz
Organizations like Scope show how technology can make workplaces more inclusive. Microsoft 365 Copilot helps automate administrative tasks, giving staff—especially those with disabilities—more time to focus on meaningful work and collaboration. The impact is clear: staff can contribute fully and equally. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/e9Za-C2Q
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That’s a wrap on #AbilitySummit. Thank you for being part of it! The energy, ideas, and partnership were incredible. Miss something? Want to go deeper? Session resources are now available. 👉Keep learning. Keep building, Keep pushing accessibility forward.
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Grateful to everyone who joined us for the 16th annual Microsoft Ability Summit this morning. Your voices, ideas, and partnership continue to push this work forward. As we head into GAAD, I’m excited, AI is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make accessibility truly foundational. But it won’t happen by default. It happens because of this community showing up and building together. Proud to share what we announced and where we’re headed next. Microsoft Accessibility, Microsoft Learning, Xbox, Team Gleason Foundation, Tobii Dynavox®, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™, OneCourt, GitHub, American Council of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, Special Olympics, Teach Access, World Blind Union, DAISY Consortium, Cboard, Disability:IN, Microsoft Copilot #accessibility #AI #GAAD #MicrosoftAbilitySummit
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Join the Ability Summit LIVE!
Have you registered? Join Neil Barnett, Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer and friends at the Mainstage Opening Session on May 19 from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM PT. They will be showcasing how accessibility‑first, AI‑powered innovation is driving real impact—advancing skills in education, unlocking employment opportunities, boosting productivity, and fueling business transformation for organizations of every size. Register today for the LinkedIn Live event! #AbilitySummit
Microsoft Ability Summit
www.linkedin.com
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Have you registered? Join Neil Barnett, Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer and friends at the Mainstage Opening Session on May 19 from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM PT. They will be showcasing how accessibility‑first, AI‑powered innovation is driving real impact—advancing skills in education, unlocking employment opportunities, boosting productivity, and fueling business transformation for organizations of every size. Register today for the LinkedIn Live event! #AbilitySummit
Microsoft Ability Summit
www.linkedin.com
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🚨 Going live in 1 hour. #AbilitySummit kicks off at 9:00 AM PT—and you don’t want to miss this. See how AI is driving accessibility forward and creating new possibilities. 👉 Tune in live: https://lnkd.in/eYz-Bbvq
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Don't miss Kurt Iobst, CPACC and others at the Ability Summit tomorrow. It all starts at 9:00 AM PT. Register today: https://lnkd.in/ezVajh8a
⏰ 1 week out—be a part of what's next in accessibility! Be there live for the Ability Summit Mainstage Opening Session on May 19, 2026, 9:00 AM–10:30 AM PT. Get ready to explore how agentic AI empowers people with disabilities and accelerates transformation—plus the accessibility solutions built into Microsoft products and services. 👉 Register for the LinkedIn Live event https://lnkd.in/ezVajh8a
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We are so excited to welcome David Dame to the Ability Summit stage tomorrow! Make sure you're registered; the event starts May 19 at 9:00 AM PT https://lnkd.in/ezVajh8a
Have you registered? Join Neil Barnett, Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer and friends at the Mainstage Opening Session on May 19 from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM PT. They will be showcasing how accessibility‑first, AI‑powered innovation is driving real impact—advancing skills in education, unlocking employment opportunities, boosting productivity, and fueling business transformation for organizations of every size. Register today for the LinkedIn Live event! #AbilitySummit
Microsoft Ability Summit
www.linkedin.com