The Windows Accessibility team is dedicated to transforming Windows 11 into the most inclusive operating system to date, fostering a digital landscape where every individual can thrive. This commitment is underscored by a continuous engagement with the disability community, ensuring that their insights and feedback shape the evolution of Windows. Significant advancements have been made in enhancing the performance of assistive technologies, including improvements to Narrator and Voice Access, as well as a steadfast focus on reliability and core functionality. As we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reflect on the meaningful progress achieved over the past year.
Nothing about us without us
At the heart of Microsoft’s Inclusive Design principles lies the belief that people should be central to the design process. By incorporating diverse perspectives, we gain invaluable insights that drive our innovations. The Windows Accessibility team embodies the guiding principle of the disability community: “nothing about us without us.” This philosophy emphasizes the importance of co-creation, working closely with advisory boards representing the blind, mobility, and hard of hearing communities to ensure our features resonate with the needs of our users.
Improved performance for Narrator and Voice Access
Our collaboration with advisory boards has not only deepened our understanding of user needs but has also led to significant updates in our assistive technologies. Recent enhancements include:
- Narrator scan mode now deactivates more swiftly when typing in an edit field, minimizing interruptions for a smoother typing experience.
- Narrator maintains consistent performance, even during prolonged use with a single application.
- Voice Access has expanded its language support to include French (France), French (Canada), German, Spanish (Spain), and Spanish (Mexico).
- Improvements in speech recognition accuracy enhance the speed and reliability of Voice Access for command execution and text authoring.
- Multi Monitor setup is now supported by Voice Access, offering users greater flexibility across multiple screens.
- Narrator and Voice Access can be utilized together, allowing users to issue Narrator commands through Voice Access, such as “Turn on Narrator” or “Read selection.”
Voice shortcuts with Voice Access
Voice Access now empowers users to create custom commands and voice shortcuts (currently available in English), tailoring their experience to meet individual needs. These shortcuts facilitate specific actions, such as opening a website or executing a series of tasks in sequence. For instance, a user can simply say, “Go to my news,” to access their favorite news site, or set up a command that launches a video conferencing app while muting the microphone. This feature not only enhances productivity but also personalizes the user experience.
For guidance on setting up and utilizing custom voice shortcuts, users can visit the Voice Access support page.
Keyboard shortcuts and enhanced image descriptions in Narrator
We have introduced new keyboard shortcuts in Narrator to improve usability and provide quicker access to essential information:
- Narrator key + Shift + B to hear battery and network status.
- Narrator key + Control + X to copy the last Narrator speech to the clipboard.
Additionally, the image description capabilities in Narrator have been refined to enhance accessibility:
- AI-generated image descriptions are now more detailed.
- A shortcut (Narrator key + Ctrl + D) allows users to request descriptions of images on demand, facilitating seamless navigation.
- Users can quickly navigate between graphics or images in Scan mode using “G” or “Shift + G” with the Narrator key + Spacebar.
Reliable experiences – a focus on fundamentals
Consistency and reliability are paramount for users who depend on assistive technologies. Therefore, we have prioritized addressing critical issues within tools like Voice Access and Narrator, ensuring their dependable performance in everyday tasks. Recent updates have resolved disruptions that could hinder workflows, allowing users to concentrate on their objectives without interruptions. These enhancements translate to fewer frustrations, smoother navigation, and increased confidence in the functionality of assistive technologies.
For detailed information on specific fixes and improvements, users can refer to the Appendix in the Narrator guide.
Improvement to Spellings & Corrections
We have enhanced the Spellings & Corrections experience, offering better suggestions and supporting a wider range of dictation commands for selection, deletion, and text navigation.
Join us on the journey
We extend our gratitude to all Windows customers for their contributions to improving accessibility experiences, particularly those who participate in our Windows Insider builds, providing valuable feedback early in the release process. We invite everyone to continue engaging with us by trying Windows 11 and sharing feedback (Windows logo key + F to launch the Feedback hub) to help us create better experiences for all. For customers with disabilities seeking technical assistance with Windows or any other Microsoft product, we encourage you to reach out to the Disability Answer Desk via phone, chat, or American Sign Language (via videophone).
