Inclusive Tech Lab
We are committed to practicing inclusive design and strive to demonstrate what is possible when you intentionally include people with disabilities.
Inside the Inclusive Tech Lab
Join us for a quick tour through the Inclusive Tech Lab at Microsoft. In it we highlight the intentionally inclusive features of the facility.
Our vision and philosophy
Live, work, play, learn
The Inclusive Tech Lab is a Microsoft space dedicated to inclusive modern life and education, accessible productivity, and gaming for people with disabilities. Our facility is for people with disabilities, not about people with disabilities. Crafted to be an expression of Microsoft’s commitment to the disability community.
Our progress
We've hosted over 8,000 visitors and introduced them to our Microsoft Inclusive Design methods via informative tours, collaborative workshops, and inclusive design sprints. We strive to encourage designers and engineers to intentionally include people with disabilities in the products, services, and games they create.
Timeline
2017 | Launch
The Xbox Devices team launched the first Inclusive Tech Lab to demonstrate inclusive gaming, educate colleagues, and learn from the disability community.
2018 | Xbox Adaptive Controller launch
The Xbox Adaptive Controller launched providing a much-needed, simple and affordable solution for gamers with limited mobility.
2019 | Over 8,000 visitors
We hosted over 8,000 visitors from all walks of life, introducing them to unintentional exclusions and intentional inclusion through inclusive design.
2019 | Workshops & design sprints
We conducted many workshops and inclusive design sprints, bringing in the disabled to work with our colleagues, to inspire them to intentionally include people with disabilities.
2020 – 2021 | Construction and remote work
Construction starts on the new Inclusive Tech Lab, expanding our vision beyond gaming to include how people with disabilities live, work, play, and learn. Due to a global pandemic we moved to remote tours to continue our mission.
2022 | New expanded facility
With a new expanded facility, program, and charter we are excited to invite people to join us to learn about our customers with disabilities and Microsoft’s Inclusive Design methods.
Inside the Inclusive Tech Lab
Designing accessibility
The facility is crafted so people with disabilities can explore assistive and adaptive technologies, inclusively designed products, and sensory experiences.
Learn
The Inclusive Tech Lab is a space that is dedicated to fostering a learning environment that supports the spectrum of human diversity.
Play
When Everybody plays, We All Win. From our roots in inclusive gaming we continue to seek out ways to empower disabled gamers.
Work
Accessible technology facilitates the ability to participate, decreases the disability divide, and allows people with disabilities to thrive in today's world.
Partnerships
We rely on and value our partners as we strive to live up to the ideal of, “nothing about us, without us.”
Craig Hospital
Makers Making Change
Able Gamers
Special Effect
Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Warfighter Engaged
Additional Resources
Microsoft Adaptive Accessories
Explore the highly adaptable ecosystem that lets you 3D print through Shapeways, and customize your own mouse, keyboard inputs, and shortcuts.
Windows 11
Windows 11 was inclusively designed to support productivity, creativity, and ease of use for people with disabilities. With a robust set of built-in and third-party accessibility features, Windows adapts to you.
Designing for adaptability
Surface products are built to help people be creative, productive, and connected. Surface Adaptive Kit, created in partnership with people with disabilities, makes it easier to adapt, use, and navigate your compatible Surface PC and accessories.
Inclusive Design
Inclusive Design is a methodology, borne out of digital environments, that enables and draws on the full range of human diversity. Most importantly, this means including and learning from people with a range of perspectives.
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