Microsoft Accessibility sessions slated for CSUN 2019

Microsoft Accessibility Team at CSUN Assistive Technology Conference.

Update: Resources for CSUN Attendees

Microsoft at CSUN 2019

The 34th annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference is March 11-15 at the Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim, California. At Microsoft, we are very excited to see our partners, customers and members of the community all come together.

As you plan your conference schedule, we invite you to join us at our sessions, listed below. Links are included to easily add sessions to your calendar, through iCal or Outlook.

Throughout the conference, our engineers, program managers, and researchers are presenting Microsoft’s commitment to, and progress in, accessibility, with sessions addressing:

  • New features for accessibility in Microsoft products and services.
  • How we’ve built and sustained an inclusive work environment and culture at Microsoft.
  • Cutting-edge work in Microsoft Research that is paving the way for the future in accessibility.
  • Developer, IT, and enterprise tools, tips, and best practices.
  • How we are prioritizing customer feedback and where to share your own questions, comments and concerns.

Session attendees have a chance to win cool prizes like Ninja Cat t-shirts, the Xbox Adaptive Controller, copies of Office 365 and more.

All sessions, unless otherwise noted, are in Platinum Ballroom 7-Microsoft, on the main floor of the Anaheim Marriott hotel. See you there!

Wednesday, March 13

9 a.m. Acc to the Future: Microsoft’s Vision for the Future of Accessibility

Technology has the power to change lives. Learn about Microsoft’s approach to accessibility, our vision for the future, and how AI is changing the game.

10 a.m. AI for Accessibility: Practical Guidance to Get Started

Microsoft’s AI for Accessibility program intends to accelerate the development of accessible intelligent solutions. We’ll share what we’ve learned, who we’ve funded, and what’s next.

11 a.m. Narrator 101: Introduction to Narrator Including Web, Email, Tips and More

During this session you will learn basic techniques for using Windows Narrator screenreader to perform daily tasks, such as email and browsing the web.

1:20 p.m. Empower Inclusive Learning with Microsoft 365 Education

Discover accessible and intelligent technologies to personalize learning for students with disabilities and create content that engages a diverse classroom audience.

2:20 p.m. Adventures with Soundscape

Learn how people who are blind are using Microsoft Soundscapes to take on new adventures, from kayaking to hiking to traveling the globe.

3:20 p.m. Magnifier and Low Vision Improvements in Windows 10

Learn about the latest updates to Windows Magnifier, text sizing, and other low vision experiences available today and new features not previously announced.

4:20 p.m. Engaging and Accessible Communication with Office 365

Make your communications and presentations engaging and accessible with Office 365. Communicate your message effectively with users of all abilities.

Thursday, March 14

8 a.m. Microsoft Search: Enabling Everyone to Find What Matters

Leveraging AI and inclusive design, learn how Microsoft Search enables everyone to be more efficient and to produce better results.

9 a.m. Privacy, Ethics and People with Disabilities in the Age of AI

AI has the potential to unlock solutions for people with disabilities. We have the responsibility to discuss the ethics of how to create inclusive AI.

10 a.m. Narrator 201: More Productive Email

This Advanced Session will demonstrate how Windows Narrator helps you be more productive with email. A guided tour through email account creation, reading, and editing.

11 a.m. Accessibility Insights: Quickly Find and Fix Accessibility Issues

We will demonstrate our newly open sourced accessibility tools and illustrate how we’re integrating accessibility throughout the product design and development life cycle.

1:20 p.m. What’s New in Office 365 Accessibility

Learn about built-in accessibility in Office 365 that empowers you to communicate, consume, and create content on all platforms that will boost productivity and inclusion.

2:20 p.m. Game Your Way with Xbox

Xbox is excited to share the latest in accessible gaming, including our approach to design, game development, and demos of Xbox Adaptive Controller, Copilot, and more.

3:20 p.m. Boost Productivity with Microsoft Apps on iOS and Android

Make your work and life more efficient with new Microsoft mobile experiences: Office for iOS, Android, Microsoft Launcher, Edge Mobile, Your Phone, and SwiftKey.

4:20 p.m. Eye Tracking for Apps

How to enable applications to work hands-free with eye tracking technology. For both people writing and commissioning applications.

Friday, March 15

8 a.m. Accessible Design and Development in Microsoft Office

The Microsoft Office team shares their methodology and practices that strive to incorporate accessibility early and often in design and development.

9 a.m. Windows 10 Accessibility – What’s New in 2019

Check out what’s new in Windows 10 for people with disabilities. Get sneak peek at features that are planned for the rest of 2019.

10 a.m. What’s New with Seeing AI: Talking Camera App for the Blind Community

Come meet the Seeing AI team, and hear about our latest work on leveraging Artificial Intelligence to empower the blind community.

11 a.m. Microsoft Teams: The One Place your Team Needs for Inclusive Communications

Microsoft Teams is the digital hub that brings conversations, content, and apps together in one place. Discover how it empowers everyone to collaborate inclusively.

1:20 p.m. Narrator in Windows – What’s New in 2019

Learn about the latest updates to Windows Narrator including Quickstart, improved keyboard layout, and other experiences available today and new features not previously announced.

2:20-4:00 p.m. Connecting with Microsoft

We want to meet you! Join us at Platinum Ballroom 7 for informal conversations, to ask questions, and to share feedback. Bring your device and work alongside the Microsoft team.

Visit the Microsoft Expo Booth in the Marquis Ballroom, Booth 609

Microsoft Accessibility team members will be in Booth 609 (Marquis Ballroom). Come by for product demonstrations, quick tips and tricks, or just to say hello.

Soundscape Scavenger Hunt

Microsoft Soundscape team will host a scavenger hunt with cool technology and fantastic prizes! You will use Soundscape to explore and discover new places in Anaheim. At the same time, you will sharpen your way-finding and tracking skills using the power of 3D audio.

Learn more at the Adventures with Soundscape session on Wednesday, March 13th, at 2:20pm at the Microsoft Showcase Suite.

Add Wednesday 2:20 p.m. session to calendar.

Send us your feedback and suggestions

We are only as good as the feedback we receive, and we want more of it! We know that accessibility is the foundation for building inclusive experiences, which enable everyone to create accessible content, develop diverse environments, and be more connected, independent, and productive.

CSUN attendees provide us with the crucial feedback that we need and use to improve the usability of our products and services. There are many ways to submit feedback:

Visit us online at Microsoft Accessibility, and we’ll see you at CSUN 2019!