Microsoft Windows And Office 365 Geared Towards Accessibility For 2017

The advent of the New Year also means new human-centric design innovations from Microsoft. With its plans to upgrade both software and hardware in terms of being more accessible to disabled users, the company seeks to be more oriented towards reaching out to marginalized demographics with its creators update.

Although Microsoft already has features that cater to some of their needs - such as text-to-speech function and screen readers - their accessibility blog has recently stated company plans to step up their game. Aside from improving existing features, they aim to add new ones such as tactile or Braille support and more dynamic audio features. According to Mspoweruser.com, different design functions are set to be released with this update.

Listed are some of the innovations that Microsoft has lined up for Windows 10 and Narrator for the New Year, some of which are already available in the early-access Insider builds:

Improved text to speech features: Microsoft is adding more than a dozen new default voices to their text to speech functions on Windows 10. Narrator will also be receiving additional and much-appreciated support for multilingual readings. The proposed updates will make it such that the software can keep up even with spontaneous language switching.

Quick-access Narrator: Launching Microsoft's flagship screen-reading software, Windows' Narrator, has never been easier. The quick keys to open up the application have been change by simultaneously pressing ctrl + win + enter. Users also have the option of using Cortana to open up Narrator.

Braille for Windows: 2017's Creators Update will provide Windows users with support for an upcoming Braille function Microsoft has planned. The beta includes displays braille from more than 40 different languages as well as a variety of braille variations. There are also 35 braille display manufacturers on board with Microsoft on this project.

Full-Narrator Installation: The Creators Update lets users install its files completely through Narrator. This includes everything from initial setup, customization and personalization, and even troubleshooting. These and a lot more are slated to be released with Windows' Creators Update this coming 2017.

More information can be found on Microsoft.com.