Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft, outlines the company’s significant strides to improve accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities. Microsoft’s approach encompasses advancements in technology, empowering people, strategic partnerships, and advocating for inclusive policies, all while adhering to their principles for responsible AI development: building accessibly, using inclusive data sets, and fostering innovation.
Key areas of focus and examples of products include:
- Technology: Enhancing accessibility across software, hardware, gaming, and the cloud. Notable advancements include:
– The Microsoft Pen with new grip designs and 3D-printed grips.
– The Seeing AI app for blind and low-vision users.
– Windows features like Narrator, Magnifier, and Speech Recognition.
– Accessibility features in the Office Suite, such as real-time captions in PowerPoint and an accessibility checker in Word and Excel.
– The Xbox Adaptive Controller for gamers with limited mobility.
– Azure AI tools and services that aid in building accessible applications. - People: Empowering disabled talent through hiring and training programs, including the Neurodiverse Career Connector and mandatory employee accessibility training.
- Partnership: Collaborating with customers, partners, NGOs, and non-profits to drive inclusive change. Partnerships include organizations like Shell, the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, and support for accessibility initiatives in Africa, such as launching 13 new African languages in Microsoft Translator.
- Policy: Advocating for inclusive policies and accessible transportation, highlighted by partnerships with advocacy groups like the American Association of People with Disabilities.
In this video, form Disability Summit 2023, Lay-Flurrie emphasizes Microsoft’s holistic approach, aiming to leverage AI responsibly and inclusively, recognizing the historical role of people with disabilities as early adopters of new technologies. This commitment drives continuous innovation to bridge the disability divide and create a more inclusive world.
Jenny Lay-Flurrie is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to reach their full potential. She leads initiatives to create inclusive products, services, and hiring practices. Her efforts include establishing the Disability Answer Desk, hosting the annual Microsoft Ability Summit, and supporting the Microsoft Ability Hackathon. Lay-Flurrie also contributes to projects like Soundscape and the book “The Ability Hacks.” Outside Microsoft, she serves as the board chair of Disability and was recognized as a ‘Disability Employment Champion of Change’ by the White House in 2014.