This document discusses product innovation and inclusive design. It begins by introducing Solomon Romney, an accessibility program manager at Microsoft. It then discusses the evolution of game controllers and mismatches in interactions. The challenges of innovation include the diversity of human experiences and disabilities. Two billion people will need assistive technologies by 2030. The document advocates designing for one population, like those with disabilities, which can benefit many. It presents Microsoft's framework for inclusive design and reasons to invest in accessibility, like ethical responsibility. The document concludes by noting the importance of storytelling and data in influencing inclusive design.

1. Product Innovation Starts on the Edge
Solomon Romney

2. Who am I?
• Accessibility Program Manager for
Microsoft
• Started in Microsoft’s Physical Stores
• Run the Inclusive Tech Lab at Microsoft
• 6 Years as Accessibility SME
• Limb Different from birth
• Part of the team behind the Xbox
Adaptive Controller, Surface Adaptive Kit,
and Microsoft Adaptive Accessories
• 80s Arcade Brat
LinkedIn: /ssromney

3. Game Controller Evolution

4. Mismatches in Interaction in
our controllers

8. The
challenges of
innovation
• Diversity of human experience and
disabilities
• Assuming people with disabilities
know exactly what they need
• Biases and limited perspectives

9. Two billion people
in need by 2030
“Currently, an estimate of one billion
people around the world benefit
from an assistive technology. That
figure is expected to double by 2030
as the population ages,”
— Marco Aleman, Assistant Director
General, IP (Intellectual Property) and
Innovations Ecosystem Sector.

10. We will all be
disabled one day,
some of us just
beat you to it.

11. situational

12. Solving a problem for one population is an
opportunity for another population
CLOSED
CAPTIONING
VOICE
COMMANDS
TEXTING AUDIO BOOKS

13. microsoft.com/design/inclusive
Recognize exclusion
Exclusion happens when we
solve problems using our
own biases. As Microsoft
designers, we seek out those
exclusions, and use them as
opportunities to create new
ideas and inclusive designs.
Learn from diversity
Human beings are the real
experts in adapting to
diversity. Inclusive design
puts people in the center
from the very start of the
process, and those fresh,
diverse perspectives are the
key to true insight.
Solve for one, extend to many
Everyone has abilities, and
limits to those abilities.
Designing for people with
permanent disabilities actually
results in designs that benefit
people universally. Constraints
are a beautiful thing.

14. Inclusive
Design
framework
Image by: OCAD University

15. Design WITH
“The People who build our products should be
reflective of the people who use out products.”

16. Reasons to Invest
in Accessibility
• Ethical Responsibility
• Equitable Outcomes
• Return on Investment

17. Two Tools of Influence
Story Telling Data

20. Thank you!