More good news for accessibility in Windows 11

Have you ever opened a document or presentation and realised half the information is locked away in an image or graphic you can’t quite make sense of?

Maybe it’s a complicated chart, or a photo with crucial details, but no one thought to add a description.

Microsoft is working on something that could remove moments like that. Especially for people with accessibility needs.

It’s testing a new feature in Windows 11 called Describe Image, and it’s powered by local AI built right into your PC.

On Copilot+ PCs (the new generation of Windows devices that use AI directly on the computer), you’ll find Describe Image in the Click to Do menu. When you select it, your PC will instantly generate a detailed description of whatever image, chart, or graph you’re looking at.

The first time you try it; your computer sets up the AI models it needs. After that, the whole process runs locally, meaning no images or data are sent anywhere else. The descriptions stay private and secure on your own machine.

Right now, this is being rolled out to Windows Insiders on the Dev Channel who have Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. But Microsoft has said AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs will also get it soon.

On first thoughts this might not seem like a big deal. But imagine a team member with a visual impairment being able to understand a complex graph in seconds, without waiting for someone else to explain.

Or picture a busy employee quickly skimming through a report and getting an instant overview of what’s in a set of images, without having to open another app or hunt down the right person to ask.

Microsoft is making technology work better for everyone… removing barriers and helping people be more productive.

Accessibility features like this aren’t about compliance or ticking a box. They have the potential to make a real difference to people’s day-to-day work.

When your employees can access information easily, they can do their jobs better, collaborate more smoothly, and feel included. That’s good for them, and it’s great for your business too.

Windows 11 keeps quietly adding these thoughtful improvements. Describe Image is another step toward a world where technology fits around people, not the other way around.

If you’re already exploring Copilot+ PCs, this is one more reason to be excited about what’s coming next. And if you need help selecting new devices that are the right fit for your business, my team and I can help. Get in touch.   

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