Overview of Windows 11 accessibility

Jeff Petty Windows Accessibility Leader

** This is based on the extraneous translation of "What's Coming in Windows 11 Accessibility" released on July 1, US time.

Today, I am glad to be able to provide more detailed information about Windows 11's accessibility initiatives.

Microsoft announced in April this year that it will further promote accessibility initiatives.In addition, we recently announced Windows 11.Early previews of Windows 11 are available on Windows Insider, and will be available in the latter half of this year.Here, I would like to share Microsoft's enthusiasm that people with disabilities can achieve more things on his Windows, and talk about the specific accessibility of Windows 11.It will be a little longer, but there are a lot of things I want to tell you, so please associate.

Increase the possibilities and efficiency and pursue comfort

Accessible technology is a basic component that can expand possibilities in all situations in society.A more accessible Windows experience will lead to the ability to confront the "disability disparity", which will increase educational opportunities and employment opportunities for people around the world with disabilities.

More than 1 billion people have already created, learned, and achieved something on Windows.Microsoft wants not only to make these things possible, but also to enjoy efficient, fun and comfortable experiences for each user with various obstacles.

Windows has a great chance.Microsoft's enthusiasm is formed by the user.There are many things that Microsoft should work on, and the following outline is just the beginning.If you ask us or need support for Windows, please contact us at the end of this post.

Windows 11, the most inclusive in Windows

Windows 11 was designed again with productivity, creativity, and ease of use. Many functions such as desktops, start menus, search, taskbar, and settings will make you feel uncomfortable with what you are used to. On the other hand, it pursues simplicity and has a modern, fresh and clean design. Accessibility has been considered since the beginning of the development, and an inclusive design review was conducted on new features and redesigned functions. In addition, in collaboration with people with disabilities to design and design for people with disabilities, it also adopts the conformity test, usability test, and other processes called Trusted Tester, and the release stage of this year. So we can guarantee that Windows 11 is accessible. On the other hand, we are waiting for new opinions from Windows Insider how to further improve the experience. If you are not participating in Windows Insider, please consider participating.

Windows 11 has familiar accessibility technologies such as narrator functions, magnifying mirrors, subtitles, and Windows voice recognition, supporting users with various disabilities.Windows 11 also supports the accessibility technologies built by our partners, among which screens leaders and enlargement functions used by many people, CART (communication access real -time transmission) service, speech.It contains things that can be experienced in various ways, such as commands.

Windows 11 has many improvements.

It is a new sound scheme that all users, including those with visual disabilities, can enjoy it.Windows 11 has a different sound, including the start sound of Windows, and has different sounds with accessible light themes and dark themes.For those who are sensitive to light or those who work for a long time, enjoy beautiful color themes such as new dark themes and reconstructed high contrast themes.The new contrast theme includes beautiful appearance and customizable colors that make it easier to see apps and content.

If you have hearing disabilities, those who are learning language, or in a noisy environment or quiet environment, use the newly designed closed caption theme.It is easier to read than before, and it is also more customizable.

Also, many users can enjoy Windows Voice Typing.This is a function that uses the state -of -the -art artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize the audio, transcribes text, and automatically hit punctuation.Everyone with a variety of motor disorders, such as severe arthritis, repetitive stress injury, cerebral palsy, people with learning disabilities such as severe spell disorders, people who are learning language, and people who like audio input.You can use this Voice Typing.

Ultimately, everyone will be able to enjoy the simple design and user experience of Windows.Windows is modern, fresh, clean and beautiful.

Windows accessibility function that is easier to find and easier to use

It is more important than improving existing accessibility functions, in addition to new features, and compatible with Windows 11 with your favorite accessibility technology. It is easy to find accessibility functions and make it easier to use. Microsoft listened to the voice and changed to Windows settings, as there was a feedback that "Easy Operation" settings and the purpose of the icon were not clear. The "Easy Operation" setting has been changed to "Accessibility" and the "person" icon has been adopted for the new accessibility. The accessibility setting was redesigned to make it easier to use. Of course, the accessibility function is available from the beginning, and can be used from login and lock screens. This allows users to set and use their devices on their own using a narrator function, for example.

So that Windows accessibility can be used in various situations

Windows 11 is an important step for the future. The future is a world where accessibility works normally, even if there is no expensive plug -in or IT administrator for a long time. In Windows 10, Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) allows you to execute support technology with safe applications such as Word. In Windows 11, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) allows Microsoft and partner support technology to be performed in Outlooks and other applications that are hosted in the cloud. For example, in Windows 11, you can access Office with Rail (Remote Application Integrated Locally) using a narrator function. I think many people feel like they are lined up, but their influence is very large. Even those with visual disabilities will be able to access applications such as Office on Azure as needed.

In Windows 11, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) supports Linux GUI apps such as Gedit on devices that meet the system requirements of the app.This also realized accessibility.For example, even if you have a visual impairment, Windows can be used in the WSL using a screens leader to be supported.In some cases, the experience of support technology becomes seamless.For example, a color filter works normally.The important thing is that the WSL team gave priority to accessibility from the beginning and achieved accessibility experiences at the public stage.The WSL team shares detailed information with his Insider members and wants to improve the usability of the experience by receiving feedback.

In June, we have announced that the Android app will be introduced to Windows in a partnership with Amazon, and I would like to continue to share the details of these new experiences.

Modern accessibility platform ideal for ecosystem of support technology

Finally, we will tell you that Microsoft has cooperated closely with the leader companies in the accessibility industry and have jointly developed a "modern accessibility platform".Windows 11 provides a platform that realizes a highly response experience and agile development, and can access application data without any change to Windows.

Microsoft has received feedback from an industry partner that it is necessary to make accessibility technology a more responsive design.We also accepted that there are design restrictions to enable local support technologies like narrators to be able to operate normally in collaboration with applications hosted in the cloud via a network.In order to achieve these two points, we have jointly developed new APIs, improved support technology such as narrators and applications such as Outlooks, and greatly improved the narrator's response in some cases.As a result, the narrator's response has increased, and it has become possible to cooperate with the applications hosted in the cloud on the network.

Microsoft has also received feedback from industry partners, saying that increasing the speed of improving innovation and user experience needs to increase accessibility and agility for application developers. For this, application developers such as Microsoft Office can publish data in programs without updating Windows. In Windows 11, application developers will be able to implement her UI Automation custom extension. Custom extensions include what is used in support technology, such as custom properties, patterns, and annotations. From a user point of view, Microsoft is developing usability and various improvements according to the application speed.

Please try Windows 11 and send the feedback

Windows 11 early preview builds are currently provided to Windows Insider.In the latter half of this year, Windows 11 will start providing general.The feedback from everyone to build a better experience is welcome, both positive or constructive.Whether you are using an Insider building or a general version, Windows 10 and Windows 11 can easily share your opinions and proposals.Press the Windows logo key and F at the same time to get the feedback hub.We would appreciate your opinion from there.

Finally, if a customer with a disability needs technical support, please contact Disability Answer Desk (800-936-5900) or chat.In addition, for customers who are inhabited in the United States, it also supports US sign language (phone number +1 503-427-1234), so please feel free to contact us.

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All contents of this page are as of the date of creation and may be changed without notice.If you need a formal internal approval or a contract with each company, it will not be confirmed until then.Also, depending on the various reasons and backgrounds, some or all may be difficult to change, cancel, or realize.Please understand in advance.

Tags: Accessibility, Diversity, Windows