Microsoft: How AI can Support Disabled People at Work

Disabled people remain underrepresented in the tech workforce. In the UK, whilst 16% of the working population are disabled people, they make up just 11% of the tech industry.

With workplace demographics beginning to change and fresh faces joining the workforce, there is a palpable rise in the call for inclusivity.

The very tools the tech industry is creating, including artificial intelligence (AI), could be the ones to transform the industry.

The Microsoft 365 Copilot tool is an AI-driven assistant seamlessly woven into Microsoft's suite of productivity tools like Word, Teams, PowerPoint and Outlook.

The tool does not just support productivity, but also provides insights to aid users across various tasks.

Research by EY in collaboration with Microsoft shows that Microsoft 365 Copilot can enhance workplace functionality for employees with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent.

Across 17 diverse global organisations with more than 300 employees using this tool, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

“Business leaders should avoid treating Gen AI as a short-term experiment for the organisation and instead make it a long-term commitment to include and invest in their workforce," says Helen Bentley, EY Global Digital Strategy, Innovation and Experience Leader.

“With more than 1.3 billion people worldwide who have disabilities and/or are neurodivergent, Copilot represents a huge opportunity to empower more to thrive in the workplace with powerful Gen AI tools that can help level the playing field for all.”

The research shows Copilot can facilitate real-time assistance, diminish task-related anxiety while amplifying strength-focused outputs and boost overall productivity.

By reducing the time taken to complete menial tasks, it can also allow employees to focus on work they feel is meaningful.

Adjusting to the changing workforce

The study also highlights changing workforce demographics, particularly the rise in neurodiversity among younger generations.

This transformation isn’t just a trend, but a crucial part of corporate strategy to attract and retain talent.

An impressive 80% of survey respondents indicated they're more inclined to join organisations that are proactive about accommodating employees with varying needs due to disabilities or neurodivergence. 

Neil Barnett, Accessibility Inclusion Leader at Microsoft, says: “At Microsoft, we believe that technology should adapt to people, not the other way around. This research demonstrates that Copilot is breaking down barriers for people with disabilities, including neurodiversity and improving the workplace for everyone.

“As a tool that can enhance communication, memory recall, and focus, Copilot empowers employees to fully participate and thrive in their roles. This not only creates new opportunities for individual growth but also fosters a more inclusive and productive work environment.”

Enhancing workplace collaboration

The perks of Microsoft 365 Copilot go further than inclusivity. The tool is improving efficiency in the work space by enhancing the quality of content and streamlining routine tasks. 

Working alongside tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive, Copilot provides intelligent document assistance, offering real-time suggestions to improve content quality, grammar and readability.

This can benefit employees who struggle with written communication.

It also supports people to communicate and collaborate, no matter their physical location.

Moreover, Copilot's ability to analyse data and provide visualisations can help employees with disabilities or neurodivergence to better understand and present complex information. This feature can be particularly valuable in roles that require data analysis and presentation skills.

“While Copilot does not 'fix' inclusion in the wider workplace, it can empower accessibility and inclusion in significant ways. The individual stories we heard show the power of Gen AI in fostering a sense of inclusion,” Helen says.

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