The lack of machine learning datasets that include people with disabilities has proved to be a major roadblock for developing technological solutions customised to their needs. This is often referred to as'data desert'. It is a common practice for organisations building technology products and services to use data at an aggregate level, which leads to stereotyping and being exclusionary in the process. Earlier this week, Microsoft, in a lengthy blog, revealed its roadmap to deal with this data desert which has become a major hindrance in making artificial intelligence accessible to people with disability. The tech giant Microsoft has revealed its various collaborations to'shrink this data desert' as discussed below.

Last year, Microsoft took the wraps off its AI for Accessibility initiative, a $25 million, five-year program that focuses on leveraging the power of AI to help people with disabilities. Atlanta-based Zyrobotics became the first grantee for the program, gaining Microsoft's help in developing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) games and learning tools geared towards education of young children. And now, over a year later, Microsoft has announced 11 new AI for Accessibility grants, bringing the total number of grantees currently benefiting from AI for Accessibility up to 32. This news also aligns with the celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which carries on through the month of October. "The amount of potential that there is for software or hardware to better meet the needs of people with disabilities, and to raise the bar of what customers can come to expect of the role technology could play in their lives, is just an amazing opportunity."