{"id":116751,"date":"2020-08-14T10:56:47","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T10:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/?p=438746"},"modified":"2020-08-14T10:56:47","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T10:56:47","slug":"microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2020\/08\/14\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft\u2019s accessibility guideposts, from A to Z"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8451 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z.png\" alt=\"A is for Autism at Work. A Microsoft employee with autism draws graphs on a whiteboard.\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>A is for the Autism @ Work Playbook.<\/strong> This resource was developed for employers who are interested in beginning or expanding their inclusive hiring journey. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/disabilityin.org\/resource\/autism-work-playbook\/\">download it here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8452 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-10.png\" alt=\"B is for Braille. A woman who is blind teaches a student of the Carroll Kids program\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>B is for Louis Braille<\/strong>, the 12-year-old boy who invented a way for people who are blind to read. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=u4C3l_7ZXK8\">Watch Microsoft President Brad Smith explore how Braille\u2019s spirit is still alive today<\/a> with the innovators focusing on accessibility.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8453 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-11.png\" alt=\"C is for Captions, Man wearing a hoodie reads captions on his computer screen. D\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>C is for captions and subtitles<\/strong>, supporting people with disabilities to follow along in meetings and PowerPoint presentations. Live captioning is one of the accessibility features <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2dt-cmBSkx0\">the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk can help set up<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8454 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-12.png\" alt=\"D stands for Disability Answer Desk. A woman who is blind uses a braille keyboard with a Surface device.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>D is for the Disability Answer Desk Playbook<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/sharing-our-top-5-learnings-setting-up-disability-answer-neil-barnett\/?trackingId=KETQn1ouQ9%2BQgTpf3tG%2FOg%3D%3D\">Click here to find out Microsoft\u2019s top learnings on setting up a Disability Answer Desk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8455 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-13.png\" alt=\": E stands for ease of access to low-vision tools.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>E is for ease of access<\/strong>, and how you can make Windows 10 work better for you. Whether it\u2019s increasing font size or adjusting the color contrast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=guABbS6hMHE&amp;feature=youtu.be\">there is a range of ease-of-access settings you can personalize<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8456 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-14.png\" alt=\"F is for font size. Screen showing how to make your font size bigger in settings,\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>F is for font size<\/strong>, which can be adjusted for readability across a range of our products. It\u2019s one of <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/office\/make-your-outlook-email-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-71ce71f4-7b15-4b7a-a2e3-cf91721bbacb\">a number of tweaks available to help people who are blind or have low vision<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8457 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-15.png\" alt=\"Top left: Dr Omid Kavehei showing a non-surgical device that would provide advance warning of a seizure for people living with epilepsy. Top right: G is for Grantees. Bottom left: A teacher showing Counting Zoo, an immersive eReader, to a child. Bottom right: A person using the Seeing AI app on their smartphone.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>G is for grantees.<\/strong> Microsoft funds projects and research around the world that use AI-powered technology to help make the world more inclusive. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/ai\/ai-for-accessibility-projects?activetab=pivot1:primaryr2\">Check out some of our AI for Accessibility projects here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8473 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-16.png\" alt=\"H is for hiring. Fathi Mohamed from the Supported Employment Program waves from the Microsoft Connector bus.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>H is for hiring,<\/strong> inclusive hiring and how Microsoft ensures opportunities for everyone through <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.microsoft.com\/on-the-issues\/2019\/07\/12\/the-power-of-inclusion-extending-our-learnings-from-the-supported-employment-program\/\">employment programs focused on the untapped talent of people with disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8459 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-17.png\" alt=\"I is for inclusive design. Various doodles of work life including cars, buildings and avatars.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>I is for inclusive design<\/strong>, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion is at the core of products. It\u2019s about drawing on the full range of human diversity, and reflecting different perspectives in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/design\/inclusive\/\">what we create<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8460 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-18.png\" alt=\"J is for Jenny Lay-Flurrie. Jenny smiles.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>J is for Jenny Lay-Flurrie,<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/stories\/people\/jenny-lay-flurrie.html\">our Chief Accessibility Officer<\/a>. She unites us all as accessibility advocates, making sure accessibility and inclusion are implemented throughout the company\u2019s culture and within the product development process.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8461 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-19.png\" alt=\"K is for keyboard-only users. Overhead view of two students using assistive technology to learn programming at vocational school for the blind.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>K is for keyboard-only users<\/strong>, making a straightforward user experience for people not using a computer mouse. Microsoft products include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=REaMDacgWUE&amp;list=PLtSVUgxIo6KqBBGqNdPQG64f-hTs1YxFM&amp;index=17\">a range of options and shortcuts to customize your keyboard and make navigation quick and easy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8462 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-20.png\" alt=\"L is for learning tools. A young boy sitting at a table using a computer tablet.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>L is for learning tools.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/products\/learning-tools\">Our free features enables students to improve reading, writing and comprehension<\/a>, whatever their level, such as Immersive Reader, designed to help people with learning disabilities build confidence and ability.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8463 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-21.png\" alt=\"M is for Moovit. A Moovit user waiting for their train.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>M is for Moovit,<\/strong> the urban mobility app that <a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/transform\/moovit-helps-people-disabilities-ride-transit-confidence\/\">has been optimized for accessibility<\/a>. Now, accessible routes can be plotted around unfamiliar cities, and people who are blind or with low vision can use screen readers to navigate.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8476 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-22.png\" alt=\"N is for Narrator Avatar woman wearing headphones uses Narrator on her computer. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>N is for Narrator,<\/strong> the free screen reader built within Windows 10. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=c0yDNQYRzRY&amp;list=PLtSVUgxIo6KqBBGqNdPQG64f-hTs1YxFM&amp;index=18\">Our new and improved screen reader has a comprehensive walkthrough guide,<\/a> so you can start using Narrator on apps, for browsing the web and more.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8477 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-23.png\" alt=\"O is for Outlook Accessibility. Bernardo Villarreal, a man who has low vision, looks closely at a laptop screen as he reads text in big font. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>O is for Outlook Accessibility<\/strong>. It is crucial to be inclusive through daily email, and Outlook makes accessibility easy with features like the Accessibility Checker and Alt Text. <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/office\/make-your-outlook-email-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities-71ce71f4-7b15-4b7a-a2e3-cf91721bbacb\">Find out how you can create accessible email content here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8478 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-24.png\" alt=\"P is for PowerPoint. Person works on their PowerPoint presentation in a caf\u00e9. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>P is for PowerPoint<\/strong> and AI-powered automatic live captions. Real-time captions and subtitles mean <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365\/blog\/2018\/12\/03\/present-more-inclusively-with-live-captions-and-subtitles-in-powerpoint\/\">everyone can follow and participate in presentations,<\/a> and they may be particularly useful for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, as well as non-native speakers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8479 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-25.png\" alt=\"Q is for questions\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Q is for questions.<\/strong> Our <a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/on-the-issues\/2019\/06\/13\/disability-answer-desk\/\">Disability Answer Desk<\/a> provides support on all our assistive technology and allows customers to give direct feedback to drive greater accessibility across our products and services.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8480 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-26.png\" alt=\"R is for research enable group. Members of the research enable group project work on their products. A man and woman look at a laptop, multiple members adjust a drum set and measure sound.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>R is for Research Enable Group<\/strong> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/group\/enable\/#!projects\">ongoing work on new accessibility products<\/a>. These include the Hands-Free Sound Machine, which allows people to create compositions with their eyes, and eye-controlled wheelchairs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8465 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-27.png\" alt=\"S is for Seeing AI. A person using the Seeing AI app to read a mailed letter.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>S is for Seeing AI,<\/strong> a free app that narrates the world around you. Available in multiple languages, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/ai\/seeing-ai\">it describes everything from text and products, to people, scenes and currency<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8481 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-28.png\" alt=\"T is for Text Alternatives. Pratyush Nalam, a man who uses a wheelchair, types on a laptop.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>T is for text alternatives<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=peTuJm_8HtM&amp;list=PLtSVUgxIo6KqBBGqNdPQG64f-hTs1YxFM&amp;index=20&amp;t=0s\">descriptions of images on websites and applications for screen readers to translate for customers<\/a>. They need to accurately describe what is being shown, without too much information.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8467 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-29.png\" alt=\"U is for user interface automation. Image shows an introduction to UI Automation\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>U is for user interface automation<\/strong> (UIA), allowing assistive technologies to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5m4g3_-R_-s&amp;list=PLtSVUgxIo6KqBBGqNdPQG64f-hTs1YxFM&amp;index=25\">let customers know everything they need to about your UI<\/a>. This means everyone can access the full functionality and enjoy a high-quality experience.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8468 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-30.png\" alt=\"Top right: V is for vision. Cory Joseph, a man who is blind, types on a braille keyboard while also working through a mobile phone. Bottom left: A tech worker with visual impairment uses assistive technology while visiting the Microsoft office in Singapore. Bottom right: Anne Taylor, a woman who is blind, works on a Surface device with a braille keyboard sitting on the side. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>V is for vision.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LixsMlekVBY&amp;list=PLtSVUgxIo6KqBBGqNdPQG64f-hTs1YxFM&amp;index=7\">Here\u2019s our best practice guide for interviewing candidates who are blind or with low vision.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8469 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-31.png\" alt=\"W is for webinar. Chris Schlechty, a man who uses a wheelchair, sits in front of his desk and shows his straw device that he uses to control his computer. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>W is for webinar.<\/strong> We\u2019ve launched a series of accessibility webinars for customers and businesses who want to learn more about accessibility features such as Narrator and Magnifier. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLtSVUgxIo6KpRN7i2QKqRYlqkA0Z_q3WC\">the demos from our engineering teams here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8470 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-32.png\" alt=\"X is for Xbox adaptive controller. Photo of the Xbox adaptive controller and its PDP one-handed joystick. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>X is for the Xbox Adaptive Controller<\/strong>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/stories\/xbox-adaptive-controller\/\">groundbreaking controller that connects devices to help make gaming more accessible and inclusive<\/a> so that everyone can play.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8471 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-33.png\" alt=\"Y is for you: Avatars of a female with red hair, freckles and glasses wearing white earrings and white shirt, a male with short black hair and purple shirt, a female with black hair, orange beanie, yellow headphones, and black shirt, and a female with blue hair and bangs, yellow sunglasses, pink earrings, and white shirt.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Y is for you<\/strong> \u2026 the person at the center of it all. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/on-the-issues\/2019\/09\/25\/accessibility-supportability-anne-taylor\/\">We build with inclusion in mind and work with the direct involvement of the disability community<\/a> \u2013 \u201cNothing about us without us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8472 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/microsofts-accessibility-guideposts-from-a-to-z-34.png\" alt=\": Z is for zero. Image of a large zero.\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Z is \u2026<\/strong> hoping that the number of people who feel like they don\u2019t have access to free assistive technology tools to complete everyday tasks is zero. Today, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/assistive-technology\">only one in 10 people have access to assistive products<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>For more on Microsoft accessibility tools, visit<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/ai-for-accessibility?rtc=1\">AI for accessibility<\/a><em>. And follow <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MSFTIssues\">@MSFTIssues<\/a> on Twitter.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A is for the Autism @ Work Playbook. This resource was developed for employers who are interested in beginning or expanding their inclusive hiring journey. You can download it here. B is for Louis Braille, the 12-year-old boy who invented a way for people who are blind to read. Watch Microsoft President Brad Smith explore [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":116752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[63,50],"class_list":["post-116751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-microsoft-news","tag-accessibility","tag-recent-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}