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Empowering people with disabilities through digital accessibility and inclusion

“The real question that needs to be asked as well as answered is what is it that we can do that is unique, that is impactful?” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella asks on the Empowering us all website, where we feature compelling stories of people using technology to achieve more.

I believe Microsoft plays a unique and impactful role in helping federal, state and local governments implement accessible technologies so that citizens with disabilities can easily use public services, participate in civic employment and be part of an inclusive society that embraces equality. One way we do that is by helping the federal government meet its obligations to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the U.S. law specifying requirements for accessible electronic and information technology that each agency must follow, and its standards, which some state and local governments have adopted.

Man using audio device for accessibilityOur commitment to develop products and services that help provide an accessible user experience starts with a formal, internal Microsoft process, which follows U.S. Section 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The U.S. Access Board recently updated its Section 508 standards to include requiring federal agencies to make all their public-facing electronic content and “agency official communications” accessible. Microsoft is committed to helping government customers meet this new rule, grounded in our profound belief that technology is an important enabler for people with disabilities. The latest Office 365 PC, Mac desktop clients and Online applications include improved capabilities, such as built-in accessibility checkers and new accessible templates, which can help governments adhere to the update.

Through the efforts of our engineers, accessibility experts and a corporate mission of empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, we endeavor to meet or exceed the Access Board’s new accessibility requirements. For example, customers have told us that they need more information and transparency than what is provided in Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs), the standardized forms that show how our products and services meet key technical requirements of Section 508. We have started enhancing many of our product VPATs to include validation by external suppliers under the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Tester Program (please learn more at this recent blog). By incorporating accessibility and a renewed focus on usability into our designs, we demonstrate our commitment to enabling all U.S. citizens to participate in their government, take full advantage of technology and live life to the fullest, including people like:

Beginning in 1988 with the launch of Windows 2.0, we’re delighted that the broader community appreciates our long-standing commitment to accessibility. Just recently, Section508.gov acknowledged a Microsoft training event for their program managers, where we covered new accessibility capabilities built into Office 365 and Windows 10. “508 coordinators may see Windows 10 and Office 365 deployed faster than they expect,” said Allen Hoffman, deputy executive director, Office of Accessible Systems & Technology, Department of Homeland Security. “Section 508 requires that when the government develops, procures, maintains or uses electronic and information technology that we select the product which best meets the Section 508 provisions from those which meet business needs. Windows 10 and Office 365 both clearly meet more Section 508 provisions than previously released versions. I have Office 365 running at home and it just works in more accessible ways than earlier versions of Office.”

With governments increasingly challenged to do more with less, Microsoft is committed to helping our public-sector customers meet their digital inclusion goals. By demonstrating how our products and services comply with these standards, Microsoft is not only expanding inclusion for people with disabilities, we’re helping governments reduce their risk, increase inclusion and ensure accessibility in a cost-effective way. This is an ongoing journey that we are all on and we’re humbled by what we have learned so far, and look forward to partnering with you in the future.

To learn more about Microsoft’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please register for a free webcast on enhancing digital accessibility to comply with Section 508 and sign up for a free trial at the Office 365 U.S. Government site, and visit our new Microsoft accessibility website and other links listed below.