How Microsoft is working with partners and policymakers to advance accessibility as a fundamental right through technology

Today, we are proud to celebrate Disability Pride Month and reaffirm our commitment to closing the disability divide through technology and policy. Disability Pride Month also coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is considered one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws for people with disabilities in the world.  

At Microsoft, we believe disability is a strength, and that empowering people with disabilities is essential for creating a more inclusive and accessible world. We are committed to closing the disability divide, which is the gap between the opportunities and outcomes of people with and without disabilities, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and civic participation. We recognize that closing the disability divide requires not only innovative technology, but also effective public policy that protects the rights and dignity of people with disabilities and full and equal participation in society.

Access to civic participation 

In this year of elections, over half of the world’s population is eligible to vote and the disabled vote is powerful! In the US, we’re partnering with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), AAPD’s REV UP, and the Center for Civic Design on the Accessible Voting Guide to provide resources and guidance for election officials, policymakers, advocates, and voters on how to make elections more accessible and inclusive. The Accessibility Voting Guide contains details on accessible voting in each US state, including early voting, voting in-person on Election Day, mail voting, and accessible vote-by-mail tools for people with disabilities. The site also shares information on accessible voting rights and ways to advocate for voters with disabilities. 

Access to economic equity 

In the US, we continue to support the elimination of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which allows employers to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages. Over 100,000 workers with disabilities in the US earn less than minimum wage, sometimes pennies per hour. Microsoft believes in wage equity. We pay our employees at least minimum wage and we expect our suppliers to pay their employees at least minimum wage. We are endorsing the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, a bipartisan bill that would end subminimum wages and provide grants and technical assistance to help employers transition to competitive, integrated employment for workers with disabilities.  

To learn more about our position, reference our comments during the Department of Labor’s 2024 Subminimum Wage Listening Sessions. 

There’s also an array of legislation, regulations and agreements happening around the world that impact the inclusion and protection of persons with disabilities, such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Web content and Mobile Applications regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At Microsoft, we see accessibility agreements as an opportunity for the world to be more inclusive, provide clarity, and accelerate accessibility.  

Responsible AI is Accessible AI 

Microsoft’s Responsible AI framework includes fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. Through the Responsible AI framework, Microsoft partners with companies around the world who are providing accessible products and services. Recent partnerships with Global Symbols and Cboard are examples of how AI is part of how we can address the disability divide through technology. 

Global Symbols‘ work on Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) aims to help individuals with severe speech, language, and literacy challenges customize symbols to facilitate communication. Currently, Global Symbols is creating a tool to automate symbol production using Stable Diffusion models and DALL-E 3 on Azure OpenAI. Their innovation has the potential to bring new possibilities through more culturally relevant AAC experiences in underrepresented communities around the world.  

Our partnerships also extend to technology that increases productivity and ease of access. For instance, the team behind Cboard is developing a new multi-platform application that leverages Azure OpenAI and is built in Azure AI Studio to assist people who use AAC in generating quick, accurate responses during conversations. Cboard’s AI-powered solution provides real-time suggestions to enhance communication, particularly for individuals who face challenges in verbal communication or processing conversational cues.  AI coupled with partnerships with organizations like Cboard and Global Symbols are necessary as we strive to bridge the disability divide together.   

As we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Pride Month, we’re reminded of the progress that has been made around the world since that summer of 1990 when the ADA was first passed. We are grateful to our partners in the disability movement for welcoming us to their events and engaging in critical conversations. This month and every month, we celebrate the talent, ingenuity, and commitment of the global disability community for accelerating accessibility.  

If you have questions or feedback on Accessibility at Microsoft, let us know at the Disability Answer Desk or try out the new Bing AI-powered Ask Microsoft Accessibility tool. And to learn more about disability inclusion and creating a more inclusive workplace, check out the Strengthening Teams: Foster Disability Inclusion learning path on LinkedIn Learning – available for free until August 22, 2024. 

Tags: Accessibility, equity, Responsible AI