TL;DR
- Summarise everything: Copilot lightens the mental load with real-time summaries.
- Write with confidence: Assistive writing tools help everyone communicate clearly.
- Support different styles: Adaptive features tailor support to individual needs.
- Check accessibility: Built-in tools flag non-inclusive content before it goes live.
- Empower independence: Staff can self-serve confidently with Copilot in SharePoint.
Inclusion Starts with the Tools You Already Have
Inclusion isn’t just a policy or a statement on your website. It’s the way your team works every day.
For disability service providers and NDIS organisations, that means thinking beyond physical access and looking at how technology can help everyone contribute, communicate, and thrive.
The good news? You already have the tools to assist in your journey. Microsoft 365, and in particular, Copilot and SharePoint, are packed with accessibility and inclusivity features that often fly under the radar.
Here are five simple ways to use them to build a more inclusive digital workplace.
1. Real-Time Summarisation: Less Cognitive Load, More Clarity
Not everyone loves reading long documents or catching up on meeting notes.
Copilot can instantly summarise emails, meetings, and documents, helping staff who prefer clear, concise information to stay up to date.
Try it for: NDIS policy updates, client notes, or internal memos in SharePoint.
2. Assistive Writing Tools: Say It Right, Stress Less
Written communication isn’t everyone’s strong suit, and that’s okay.
Copilot helps draft clear, confident emails, reports, and case notes so when tools are used appropriately voice comes through professionally and respectfully.
Try it for: Support plans, client updates, or that tricky “just following up” email to your manager.
3. Adaptive Support: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Every person processes information differently. Copilot learns how you like to work, whether that’s bullet points, visual summaries, or detailed steps. And adapts its suggestions to suit your style.
Try it for: Personalised task lists, onboarding guides, or reminders in SharePoint.
4. Accessibility Checks: Spot the Gaps Before They Hurt
Ever published something and realised later it wasn’t accessible?
SharePoint, Word, and PowerPoint include built-in accessibility checkers, and Copilot can help flag non-inclusive language or missing alt text before content goes live.
Try it for: Intranet pages, client-facing documents, or training materials that need to reach everyone.
5. Empowering Self-Service: Independence Supports Inclusion
Needing to ask for help can be a real barrier, especially if someone’s worried about standing out.
Copilot makes it easier for staff to find information, generate content, and complete everyday tasks independently. It’s a simple way to boost confidence and autonomy across your team.
Try it for: Finding HR forms, policies, or learning resources in SharePoint.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: the disability sector exists to support inclusion, but there’s still a gap when it comes to who’s working inside it.
- While the disability sector is built around inclusion, only 4% of staff identify as having a disability, highlighting an opportunity to bring more lived experience into the workforce.
- Only 30.6% of disability service boards include members with lived experience. Representation at leadership level means better decisions, deeper empathy, and more relevant services.
While these numbers show room for growth, many organisations are actively working to improve representation through inclusive hiring practices, workplace adjustments, and leadership development. These numbers are also a reminder that inclusion isn’t automatic. It takes design, intention, and the right tools.
That’s where universal design comes in, building digital spaces that are accessible and usable for everyone, right from the start.
And that’s where Microsoft 365 comes in. The features you already have can help reduce barriers, improve communication, and make inclusion a natural part of everyday work.
Inclusion by Design, Not by Default
Creating more inclusive workplaces isn’t about ticking a box. It’s about making sure every person has the tools and confidence to contribute.
Its possible that by integrating technology like Microsoft Copilot into SharePoint and your wider digital environment, you’re streamlining operations and supporting your team in ways that recognise different needs and working styles.
It’s important to acknowledge that technology alone isn’t a complete solution. True inclusion also requires thoughtful leadership, inclusive culture, and ongoing human oversight. Automated features can help reduce barriers, but they work best when paired with training, governance, and lived experience. Many organisations are actively working to improve representation and accessibility, and these tools can support, but not replace, that effort
Let’s build workplaces where lived experience is valued, communication is clear, and inclusion is woven into every click and collaboration.