Press Releases

2008 Press Releases
2007 Press Releases
2006 Press Releases
2005 Press Releases
Additional Press Releases 1997-2004

2008 Press Releases

Inclusive Innovation Showroom Illustrates Value of Accessible Technology
Microsoft's Accessibility Business Unit opens new showroom featuring home and office technology to help people with disabilities and the aging enjoy a digital lifestyle.
(October 14, 2008)

Imagine Cup 2008: Web-based Screen Reader Wins Top Accessibility Prize
Student designs technology that makes any computer usable by people who are blind.
(June 18, 2008)

Microsoft, DAISY Make Reading Easier for People With Print Disabilities
Using Office Open XML files, users of Microsoft Office Word can now produce content in the world's most widely used assistive technology format.
(May 7, 2008)

Microsoft Announces New Accessibility Tools and Resources for Developers
New Web site and open-source accessibility testing tools will help developers meet the growing worldwide demand for accessible technology.
(March 13, 2008)

Microsoft Provides Accessibility Programming Model to Industry Group Devoted to Interoperability and Accessibility
Microsoft makes its accessibility model freely available to help improve access to technology for people with disabilities.
(January 17, 2008)

2007 Press Releases

Industry Alliance Aims to Increase Accessibility, Interoperability and Innovation
Leading technology companies join forces to improve access to technology.
(December 10, 2007)

Microsoft Users to "Save As DAISY"
Collaborative development project aims to transform millions of Open XML documents into the world's most widely used accessible format for people with print disabilities.
(November 13, 2007)

Microsoft and DAISY Help Enhance Reading Experience for People with Print Disabilities
A tool for Microsoft Word, to be released as a downloadable plug-in at no charge early next year, will enable the translation of millions of Open XML documents into DAISY XML, the lingua franca of the globally accepted standard for digital talking books.
(November 13, 2007)

Microsoft and Novell Celebrate Year of Interoperability, Expand Collaboration Agreement
Customers continue to embrace bridge between Windows and SUSE Linux Enterprise; technical collaboration expands to create cross-platform accessibility framework to improve the way disabled individuals interact with computers.
(November 7, 2007)

Microsoft, Miami Offer Seniors Free Computer Training, Customized PCs
New technology packages from Microsoft, tailored to seniors, complement training at neighborhood senior centers in Miami.
(October 29, 2007)

Microsoft and the City of Miami Help Seniors Get Connected
New eSeniors program enriches seniors' lives with computer training at no charge and PCs customized for seniors.
(October 29, 2007)

Accessible Technology Can Help People with Multiple Sclerosis, but Too Few Use It
Research shows accessible technology can offer people with MS a wider range of life choices, yet relatively few are using accessible technologies that could help them overcome many of the visual, dexterity, mobility and cognitive challenges brought on by the disease.
(October 26, 2007)

Microsoft and AT Vendors Usher In Next Wave of Technology for People With Disabilities
Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office release and assistive technology companies bring customers unprecedented ease of use.
(January 23, 2007)

2006 Press Releases

Vista from an accessible view
Seattle Times technology reporter Benjamin Romano reviews Microsoft Windows Vista with the help of Logan Olson who says the speech-recognition software she tried out at Microsoft would help in her work publishing a lifestyle magazine for young women with disabilities.
(August 30, 2006)

Making Technology Accessible to Everyone
Microsoft Windows Vista, and the new director of the Accessible Technology Group at Microsoft, Robert Sinclair, are making it easier for people to see, hear and use computers.
(June 5, 2006)

Assistive Technology Puts Wounded Veteran Back at the Drawing Board
A U.S. veteran who lost his hand and forearm in Iraq enlists assistive technology to make prosthetic devices better and more easily available worldwide. See also personal essay by Jonathan Kuniholm
(May 31, 2006)

2005 Press Releases

Microsoft Announces Winners of 2005 Start Something Amazing Awards
The program honors people who pursue what they are passionate about, using Microsoft Windows and related technology in simple, powerful ways.
(November 10, 2005)

Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers Empower People with Disabilities
Q&A: Accessibility options in Microsoft Windows, Office and Internet Explorer make it easier for anyone to use a computer.
(July 26, 2005)

Accessible Technology and Rehabilitation Medicine Provide Hope for 54 Million Americans With Disabilities Who Want to Compete in Today's Work Force
The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and Microsoft Corp. have teamed up to educate the medical community about the importance of incorporating accessible technology into the rehabilitation process to help patients with disabilities return to the work force and be more productive and competitive in their jobs.
(July 13, 2005)

Bill Gates Announces Expanded Efforts for Public and Private Sector Collaboration on Government Services and Digital Inclusion Initiatives
Government Leaders Forum brings together 200 political leaders from the Americas to discuss progress and innovation through the use of technology and education programs.
(April 27, 2005)

Remarks by Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corporation, at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum Americas
Washington, D.C.
(April 27, 2005)

Lifelong Learning Is Goal of Microsoft Commitment to Digital Inclusion
Through digital inclusion programs such as Partners in Learning and Unlimited Potential, Microsoft helps individuals and communities underserved by technology meet the "knowledge economy's" growing demand for highly educated, highly skilled workers.
(April 27, 2005)

Microsoft and Foundation Horizonti Partner to Provide Access to Technology for the Visually Impaired in Bulgaria
Europe's new i2010 strategy aims to make Europe's Information Society more competitive, in part by making it as inclusive and accessible as possible. To help make this vision a reality, Microsoft is working with community partners across Europe through the Unlimited Potential Program. Unlimited Potential helps people and communities to discover the benefits of technology in their daily lives and for achieving their dreams.
(March 10, 2005)