Strategy
Accessibility is a business practice that is part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing efforts which focus on integrity and responsibility in our business practices. Microsoft takes a strategic approach to accessibility by focusing on integrating accessibility into product planning, research and development, product development, testing, and release.
Microsoft takes a strategic approach to accessibility 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 into Microsoft products
- Facilitating the next generation of accessible technology and moving the industry forward with groundbreaking technologies
Progress
At Microsoft, our commitment to developing innovative accessibility solutions began more than two decades ago and continues with each new product we develop. Our accessibility efforts are concentrated in four key areas:
Our accessibility efforts are concentrated in four key areas:
- Accessibility of our products
- Leadership and awareness
- Innovation
Accessibility of our products
Microsoft builds accessibility into our products that enable everyone to personalize their PCs to make them safer and easier to see, hear, and use. Accessibility is a fundamental consideration during product design, development, testing, and release. Many Microsoft products feature accessibility and personalization options. Specifically:
- Windows 7. Discover the Ease of Access Center, a centralized location where you can explore and manage accessibility options. Magnifier includes a lens mode and full-screen mode. On-Screen Keyboard now supports multi-language environments, can be resized to make it easier to see, and includes text prediction which speeds up typing. Speech Recognition allows hands-free use of the PC.
- Internet Explorer 9. Get the flexibility to use the browser in the way that best suits your needs and preferences. You can zoom in on webpages, change font size and colors, and use the keyboard to surf the Web. You can also customize Internet Explorer 9 to work better with a screen reader or voice recognition software. For further information on accessibility, see Internet Explorer 9 accessibility considerations for assistive technology users.
- Office 2010. The newest Office suite continues our dedication to making Microsoft Office products more available to people with disabilities, as well as helping all users create more accessible content. Office 2010 includes several new and updated accessibility features such as Accessibility Checker, a tool to check whether Word 2010, Excel 2010, and PowerPoint 2010 files are accessible to others. Office 2010 also helps you create accessible web portals with SharePoint Designer 2010; and lets you hear text read aloud with Mini Translator.
At Microsoft, our commitment to developing innovative accessibility solutions started more than two decades ago. We are proud of our accessibility accomplishments and global leadership, and will continue our commitment by focusing on:
- Research. Microsoft leads the industry through accessibility-related research and development projects including large-scale nationwide studies, targeted usability, and one-on-one interviews. We studied the market for accessible technology and discovered the demand for accessible technology is expanding as our population ages and as more individuals with mild to moderate impairments recognize the benefit of using accessible products and technology.
- Raising awareness. Microsoft raises awareness of accessible technology every day by publishing in-depth information about accessible technology for accessibility trainers, developers interested in accessibility, and other experts, and engaging in news activities.
- Information available worldwide. Microsoft Accessibility Website and Accessibility Update newsletter provide in-depth information about the accessibility of our products, including demos, tutorials, and guides. Accessibility and personalization information is available in 58 regions and 41 languages for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
- Accessibility centers provide computers and assistive technology products to show you how to use accessibility features and find the right assistive technology products. Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers are located across the United States. Microsoft’s Inclusive Innovation Showroom demonstrates accessibility features in Microsoft products and assistive technology solutions.
- Microsoft accessibility guides. Microsoft provides a series of guides to help individuals with disabilities find accessibility solutions and to help schools, businesses, and organizations integrate
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. For example:
- Development community. Microsoft is promoting innovation of accessible technology solutions through the Microsoft Accessibility Developer Center a portal for guidance, essential information, tools, and technologies for developing accessible applications and writing accessible code. Current training and resources are provided to help developers create technology that is more accessible to people with disabilities.
- Cloud computing and accessibility. Cloud computing represents the convergence of smart Internet-connected devices, software applications, and data storage and services hosted on the Internet. For people with disabilities, the key to accessing cloud services is accessible mainstream products that interoperate with operating systems and accessible applications. Accessibility is a fundamental consideration during design, development, and testing for Microsoft products, including cloud-based services. Learn more about accessibility in Office 365.
- Improving the ecosystem and interoperability across the industry. Microsoft works with leaders in the industry through involvement in organizations such as the Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) and the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA). Through these industry groups, Microsoft encourages technology innovation across platforms and devices to create the broadest ecosystem of solutions for people with disabilities and to drive down the cost and complexity of building accessible mainstream products. Microsoft participated in the CODE Accessibility Task Force, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and led by the Assistive Technology Industry Association, to consider ways to promote accessible design within the software and hardware.
