Microsoft Celebrates 15 Years Of Ability Summit
Read The Ability Summit 2025 Preview Transcript
The Ability Summit 2025 is set to be a major event once again, bringing together accessibility advocates, developers, and industry leaders for a free virtual experience. In this conversation, Steven Scott speaks with Jenny Lay-Flurrie, the Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft, about the history and growth of the summit, which started as a small gathering of 20 people and has now expanded to an anticipated audience of 20,000.
“We’re very proud of this thing, it started with the ERG and so again it’s got a dear place in my heart,” Jenny shares, recalling the early days of the summit. Over the years, the event has grown significantly, with major figures such as Satya Nadella lending their support.
This year, the summit will remain fully virtual, featuring a mix of live and recorded content, including keynotes and six breakout sessions. Accessibility remains a key focus, ensuring that the event is signed, interpreted, and available in multiple formats. Jenny highlights some of the major speakers, including Jeff Teeper, who oversees Microsoft Teams, and Roan Sones, who will be discussing accessibility in gaming. Additionally, Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, will be in conversation with Jessica Rafuse, offering insights into the company’s latest initiatives.
Artificial intelligence is set to be a major topic of discussion, with Jenny noting, “AI will be a top topic, we’ve got some great keynotes.” The event aims to foster conversations on emerging technologies and accessibility advancements, encouraging attendees to engage and share their perspectives.
The discussion also touches on a lighthearted tradition involving Jenny’s t-shirts, which have become a popular feature of the event. “I have this wild idea of just changing my t-shirt with every session,” she jokes, before teasing that new designs are in the works but keeping the details under wraps.
For more details about the Ability Summit 2025 and to register for the event, visit the official website: aka.ms/abilitysummit