Inclusive product testing for students with disabilities in higher education
Product tests of AI-supported laptops for students with disabilities in higher education reveal strong potential of AI tools like Copilot to reduce barriers in academic work, but also clear areas for improvement.
Client: Microsoft
Need: To test the accessibility and real-life usability of AI-powered Surface laptops with Copilot features among students with disabilities.
Approach: We coordinated a two-week in-context product test with six students with different disability forms (neurodivergent, psychological, sensory, and chronic conditions). Participants used Microsoft Surface devices in their daily university routines. Feedback was collected on usability, barriers, and the practical value of Copilot, supported by in-depth analysis of their needs and improvement suggestions.
Outcome: The product test revealed strong potential for AI tools like Copilot to reduce barriers in academic work (e.g. through summarisation, distraction reduction.) It also uncovered clear areas for improvement, including the need for disability-specific user modes, clearer onboarding tutorials, and small hardware adjustments. The project not only delivered actionable accessibility insights but also supported Microsoft’s marketing and product development teams directly.
«The project directly supported our product development.»
– Lead Marketing Planning, Microsoft