99 IN FOCUS: ACCESSIBILITY with TD Control, which allows users to control their computer using eye tracking and interact with emails, websites and applications naturally. Tobii Dynavox has also worked with Microsoft to integrate Microsoft Neural Voice, which is part of Azure AI Speech, into its solutions. This will provide people using its assistive communication devices with more personal speech options. “It’s very important that we have this open ecosystem and that there are always thirdparty options available as they can often build on our existing offerings and design for more specific use cases,” says Lay-Flurrie. “My team at Microsoft is very disability diverse, and the technology we use is vast and varied as everyone comes in with the solutions that works for them.” Developing accessible technology is only one piece of the puzzle, however. There are several other factors involved in creating a welcoming working environment for disabled people. Firstly, it is important the organisations developing this technology ensure it is affordable, easily available and fits in with the surrounding environment. “To be disabled is to be human,” says LayFlurrie. “People should be able to sit next to their peer and use a device that meets their needs, blends in with the technology around them and doesn’t make them feel othered.” Secondly, creating an environment where people are trained on inclusivity and provided with the right knowledge, language and etiquette is vital. “People should feel comfortable to ask for what they need wherever they are in their work career,” says Lay-Flurrie. “Employers should be able to listen, engage with and support their employees and do what they can to accommodate an individual’s needs. They shouldn’t be waiting around for the vital tools they need to be successful.” The long-term vision for Microsoft is to ultimately shift accessibility to the left and build inclusivity into product design from the moment development begins. “When designing a building nowadays, it’s become standard to include features such as ramps, elevators, hearing loop systems and braille signage from the very beginning,” says Lay-Flurrie. “Likewise, I want every piece of technology to be accessible from the get-go. “AI really is the catalyst here and it’s going to speed up development and help us to create a world where everything we build is accessible by design. This will not just meet the needs of disabled people but will create innovation for the world. We want to empower every person and every organisation to achieve more, and accessibility is at the core of that.” Interpreter view, live captioning and AI-powered meeting summaries are just a few of the accessibility tools available in Microsoft Teams Photo: Microsoft
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