Empowering Every User with Windows 11 and Copilot

This philosophy is at the heart of Windows 11, which comes packed with accessibility features designed to help everyone stay productive and comfortable. From people with low vision to compatibility with ergonomic peripherals, Windows 11 offers a range of tools to ensure that technology is accessible to all.

Enhancing Visibility and Readability

For users with low vision, Windows 11 offers the Magnifier, which allows you to zoom in on text and images instantly. Coupled with High-Contrast Themes, it delivers much better visibility. If reading text is challenging, the Narrator can speak content aloud, making it easier to navigate documents, emails, and the web. If ever you have seen ‘alt-text’ appear in PowerPoint or when you have pasted an image in word, please fill this in! For people who rely on screen reading software, it can make all the difference. Alt-text is the text the screen reading software reads to a person with low/no vision, so they can still understand the image.

Microsoft’s Immersive Reader, integrated into Edge and applications like Outlook, Word, Teams, and OneNote, enhances readability. Users can change the layout, select page colours, and adjust how words are displayed. It also features a Read Aloud function, making content more accessible for everyone.

Customising Audio and Visual Settings

Users who have low hearing can customise Closed Captions with different colours and fonts, so subtitles stand out clearly. This feature works across all videos automatically in Windows 11. For people who prefer minimal visual clutter, Windows 11 has settings to enlarge icons and reduce complex animations. Focus Assist helps those who find excessive notifications distracting by blocking pop-ups at chosen times to help users stay on track.

Alternative Input Methods

If using a traditional keyboard or mouse is unsuitable, Windows 11 features plenty of helpful options. Voice Typing allows you to speak rather than type, while on-screen keyboards and Sticky Keys offer more flexible ways to interact. Microsoft also has a range of physical hardware designed by people with disabilities to make technology accessible to everyone.

Copilot: Aiding Accessibility for People with Dyslexia

In addition to the robust accessibility features in Windows 11, Microsoft Copilot can be a game-changer for people with dyslexia. Copilot can assist in several ways to ensure that writing is clear, coherent, and effectively communicates the intended message. Best of all, Microsoft Copilot is included in most M365 plans.

Writing can be tough without confidence in your spelling, grammar, and structure. Copilot can offer feedback, flag errors and suggest rephrasing to ensure that writing is clear, coherent and effectively communicates the intended message. This real-time feedback helps users refine their writing and build confidence. Additionally, Copilot can simplify complex messages by summarising long texts and highlighting key points, making it easier for users to understand and engage with the content. It also offers recommendations to improve clarity and readability by suggesting simpler words or phrases, reordering sentences for better flow, and highlighting areas needing further explanation. This helps users create accurate, engaging, and easy-to-understand content.

Practical Support

These accessibility tools aren’t just helpful features; they help every team member do their best work. If you need practical advice or training on any of these features, we can help you create an environment that supports all your users