Microsoft celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Today, May 16, marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Microsoft has long been on a mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more, and the company is highlighting how it’s done just that by making Windows more accessible for everyone.

At the forefront of things are the ways in Which Windows can adapt for those who have disabilities, or unique work styles. Over the past few years, Microsoft has introduced features such as a magnifier, color filters, high contrast mode, narrator, and learning tools in Microsoft Edge. All of these tools and features have benefited many users, and one person in particular, who Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi mentions in today’s blog post.

This feature is invaluable to many of our customers, including Nori, who has had a visual impairment since birth. Narrator has helped her pursue her passion for Japanese culture and public speaking. She’s a fan of using it to prepare for Japanese oratory competitions (which she has won five years in a row!). We’re grateful to have Nori in our Windows Insider program—her insights help us continue to develop tools to reflect the diverse needs of our customers.

Fittingly, Microsoft also took the wraps off their customizable Xbox Adaptive controller today, designed to bring gaming to those with disabilities. It’s all just one small part of how Microsoft is empowering everyone. You can learn more by heading to your local Microsoft Store from May 29 to June 2 for Ability Week and see the latest Microsoft hearing, vision, mobility, and cognitive assistive technologies in action.