Today, as we observe Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we are reminded of the transformative power of technology in creating a more accessible world. This year, we also celebrate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, a milestone that underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation. An integral component of this milestone is our dedication to supporting accessibility transformation for and with our partners and customers.
The evolution of AI for accessibility
Our dedication to accessibility is a cornerstone of our mission. The evolution of AI for accessibility has empowered us to break barriers faster than ever before, providing accessible technology options for individuals with disabilities and supporting the global neurodiverse community.
As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared in his 50th Anniversary keynote: “Today, it’s not just about the past 50 years, it’s about the next 50.” He added, “Our future will not be defined by what we have built, but what we empower others to build.” 2025 also marks 30 years of our company-wide accessibility policy at Microsoft.
This is also a great opportunity to recognize and thank our partners for their commitment to embracing innovation and accessibility paths with Microsoft, providing access for their workforce and customers, and encouraging others to achieve the same. We are humbled by and proud of our journey together.
Key moments in our accessibility journey
Over the past year, Microsoft has committed to changing our accessibility journey and joined our partners to evolve accessible technology with Microsoft AI solutions. Learn how the disability community drives innovation that benefits us all. We also encourage you to let Microsoft AI guide your curiosity with Ask Microsoft Accessibility, our Bing AI-powered accessibility discoverability tool.
At Ignite in November, I had the opportunity to join a discussion with Jenny Lay-Flurrie and Ignite attendees to explore how AI can positively impact individuals with disabilities. In our session, we highlighted our commitment to using AI to create a more accessible world with:
- Enhanced accessibility features
- Personalized accessibility solutions
- Automated business practices
- Innovation for the future
We believe that responsibly built AI solutions will lead to positive change in how our customers, employees with disabilities, and individuals with disabilities use technology to do more. Our partner ecosystem is uniquely positioned to scale accessibility.
To support our customers in their commitment to accessibility, we take a Three Horizon approach: adopt, build, and innovate. Together with partners, we can accelerate accessibility across all three. Let’s take a moment to highlight a few Microsoft partners and customers who represent these values across the Microsoft Accessibility Horizons: Vodafone, ServiceNow, and the Zammo.ai and Clark College collaboration.
Vodafone's investment in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Vodafone has extended its technology adoption to roll out Copilot to 68,000 employees across multiple countries. This innovation is especially beneficial for their neurodiverse employees because it helps reduce stress associated with document and email writing.
“At Vodafone, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every employee can thrive. For our neurodiverse community, including members of VodAbility, tools like Copilot have been transformative. By simplifying tasks, tracking actions, and preventing information overload, Copilot significantly boosts productivity and performance, especially during challenging times.”
— Silvia Neumann, Digital Experience Manager, Vodafone
“Copilot has been a lifesaver during brain fog. What used to take me 30 minutes to rewrite meeting notes now takes just 2 minutes with Copilot's help.”
— Kate Sampey, Journey Owner – Chapter Lead, Vodafone
ServiceNow's commitment to accessibility
ServiceNow is a pioneer in providing accessibility offerings to their customers. By leveraging Microsoft solutions, ServiceNow has enhanced their voice driven accessibility features and provides a seamless experience for their customers.
“Building accessible software isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. Prioritizing usability for people with disabilities helps ensure everyone can use what we build. Since most of us will experience a disability at some point, including diverse perspectives in the product development lifecycle is a powerful way to future-proof our market position.”
— Eamon McEarlean, VP and Global Head of Accessibility, ServiceNow
Read about how ServiceNow worked with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to ensure a smooth adoption of their ServiceNow AI Platform.
Clark College empowers inclusion with Zammo.ai
Clark College, located in Vancouver, Washington, is committed to using technology to enhance learning environments, with accessibility as a key focus. Clark College implemented a public-facing AI agent to make campus resources more accessible to all students. Inspired by Clark’s commitment to accessibility, the Clark team led a collaboration between Microsoft AI for Accessibility and Zammo.ai—a Microsoft partner whose solution is built entirely on Azure.
This collaboration included a third-party audit of the Zammo software user interface and resulted in enhancements such as optimized screen reader functionality for people with vision disabilities and improved color contrast for better readability. Clark College’s leadership and domain expertise in accessibility exemplifies how technology can continuously evolve, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Moving into the future
We remain committed to advancing accessible solutions for all with and through our partners. Our mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more, and accessibility is at the heart of this mission.
Together with our partners and customers, we will continue to innovate and create a more accessible world for everyone.
More information and resources
- Accessibility fundamentals downloadable course package: Designed for Learning and Development Professionals or anyone involved in organizational learning decisions, this introductory course focuses on creating and evaluating accessible content, understanding accessibility principles and guidelines, identifying common barriers and solutions for various disabilities, and building accessible AI experiences.
- Accessibility Academy: Explore how levels of conformance impact accessible design and development.
- Accessibility training and resources (for customers): Deepen accessibility knowledge with these helpful videos and both live and pre-recorded training sessions.
- Disability Answer Desk (for customers): Get support on accessibility features in Microsoft Office, Windows, and Xbox.