Making technology accessible for all with Windows 11 and Thriiver

Technology should be an enabler, giving individuals and businesses the power to achieve things that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. For those with a neurodiversity, disability, injuries, not technologically advanced, and more, the conventional ways of using IT may be more difficult.

That’s why Converge are proud of our 10-year partnership with Thriiver.

Thriiver is a leading provider of assistive technology, training, and workplace coaching. 

Every week their trainers deliver over 2,000 hours of assistive technology training, helping people get the most from the technology they use.

They also offer a range of other, unique services such as AccessAngel, a website accessibility toolbar which enables speech recognition, magnification and more to help users navigate websites effortlessly.

Closing the digital gap

The digital gap is usually thought of in terms of access to technology. For example, people in certain regions or demographics not being able to buy technology or access the internet as freely as others, but the digital gap is a far broader issue.

Think of how many people in the workplace find using technology difficult but may be uncomfortable asking for help or may not even realise they are at a disadvantage. Consider individuals who are neurodivergent, visually impaired, or have physical disabilities — these individuals may find everyday tasks, like reading or sending emails, to be challenging. With an estimated 1 in 7 people in the workplace being neurodivergent, yet only 25% of them disclosing their neurodiversity, many may be silently struggling in their work environment. Clearly, there’s a problem out there that often goes unrecognised.

Accessibility features in Windows 11

Fortunately, solutions are at hand, and they are far closer than we often realise. While accessibility features have been built into Windows operating systems for some time, Windows 11 takes things to a whole new level, adding new features for people with challenges including:

• The visually impaired – will benefit from an advanced screen reader called Narrator which uses AI enhancements, to help users navigate the operating system effortlessly.
• Those with limited mobility or dexterity – new voice typing and dictation capabilities makes content creation and communication more accessible than ever.
• Those with severe mobility issues – can now navigate the interface and control the mouse cursor using just their eyes, with eye-tracking devices enabling a level of interaction with Windows 11 that would be impossible otherwise.

We’ll be exploring the accessibility features in Windows 11 in future posts but for now it’s important for you and your teams to have access to them.

Upgrade to Windows 11

If you haven’t already, now is the time to upgrade to Windows 11. Not only will your users benefit from its accessibility features but you will also continue to benefit from ongoing support from Microsoft, which ends for Windows 10 in October 2025.

Converge offer a huge range of new and refurbished technology that will run Windows 11 and we’re the UK leaders in sustainable tech including kit that has been fully refurbished by our in-house experts.