17 Microsoft is also encouraging employers to welcome disabled talent by supplying U.S. Department of Labor grants to states and entities to help to transform their business and programme models to support those with disabilities. The Microsoft-led job site, Neurodiversity Career Connector, was set up in May 2022 to help put neurodivergent people in contact with companies that have dedicated hiring programmes. Additionally, Microsoft is using its solutions to help companies to develop accessible platforms for those in need. For instance, CityMaas, an organisation committed to connecting the disabled community, has developed a Mobility Map platform to provide localised accessibility information about businesses and places of interest for disabled communities. Projects such as these employ machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to provide real-time data to empower the disabled community. Microsoft is also collaborating with mental health organisations and charities such as Ksana, Ellipsis Health and Bipolar Buddy to support users with mental health diagnoses. Mental Health America in California, USA, is using AI and machine learning to power an SMS chat service that provides assistance to those who are isolated by offering pushed text messages throughout the day so that users can engage whenever they are ready to. Furthermore, Microsoft recently launched a well-being initiative with Retail Trust to develop and deploy a programme for retail staff that will offer digital tools and content to support retail employees’ physical, mental and financial health and promote happier careers in the sector. Using Teams, Dynamics 365, Azure, SharePoint and Power BI, the services will give retailers a view of their well-being performance and let them compare it with others. It is initiatives such as this which encourages better mental health in the workplace. “Technology has the power to empower,” said Lay-Flurry. “Our responsibility is to raise the bar for what is possible with technology for people with disabilities and deliver on the potential of inclusive design.” Microsoft has improved its accessibility features on Windows 11, including new natural voices for screen-reader users and voice access
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