New accessibility goodness in July Microsoft Teams Update!
New #accessibility features in Microsoft Teams in July with a wave of new features designed to support deaf, hard of hearing, and neurodiverse users. Quick run down:
- Interpreter (speech-to-speech): Live interpretation available in nine languages for multilingual meetings.
- Sign Language Mode: Detects signing to ensure equal visibility for deaf and hard of hearing participants vs hearing colleagues. Read article on the design process from Chris Sano and Toby F. : Centering Sign Language in AI and design - Microsoft Design
- Notification Size Options: Choose between “compact” and “comfy” views. You can also stop notifications for focus by connecting Teams to Windows “Do Not Disturb”.
- Copilot for Everyone: No license needed. Copilot is already pinned at the top of the Teams chat list.
- Automatic Note-Taking with Mobile App + Facilitator Agent: Teams can capture notes in live, in-person meetings. Watch video walk-through by Michael Goad (1:59): (103) Take Notes Automatically in In-Person Meetings with Microsoft Teams Mobile App & Facilitator Agent - YouTube and step-by-step instructions: Take Notes Automatically in In-Person Meetings with Microsoft Teams Mobile App & Facilitator Agent | Microsoft Community Hub
- Real-Time Text (RTT): Now available on Teams Phone devices. Text 'live' during phone calls. The text appears instantly, without waiting to hit send.
- Transcription Defaults: Transcription is now “on by default” in new tenants. No need to request admin access to turn it on.
- Copilot in Teams Calls Without Recording: A top request to the Disability Answer Desk—users can activate Copilot during calls without retaining audio or transcripts. Important for sensitive conversations.
For (much) more, read July Teams update from Kerry Perez Hefferman : What’s New in Microsoft Teams | July 2025 | Microsoft Community Hub
Sonja Brown
🙌 Automatic note taking!
Maybe now I'll look forward to meetings I can follow !
Innovation isn’t just about adding features—it’s about embedding accessibility into the DNA of every release. Tools like these don't just enhance usability. They validate what operational accessibility looks like when it’s built in, not bolted on. From real-time text to sign language detection, these capabilities aren't extras—they're expectations. Kudos to Jenny Lay-Flurrie and the teams making accessibility an integral part of the product lifecycle. You're not just improving software—you’re expanding what's possible for everyone.