> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# GDK accessibility overview

> Explore Microsoft Gaming Accessibility guidelines, GDK APIs, XAGs, and feature tags for building accessible XBOX games players can enjoy.

XBOX should be a place where everyone has fun. Inclusive and accessible games make it possible for more players to play. This section pulls the Microsoft Gaming Accessibility program together with the GDK APIs you use to ship it.

## Where to start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Learn">
    Start with the [Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals learning path](/build/game-principles/accessibility/gaf-info) and the [Gaming and Disability Player Experience Guide](/build/game-principles/accessibility/gadpeg) to understand player experiences.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Design">
    Use the [XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAGs)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines) — 23 best-practice guidelines built with the Gaming and Disability Community.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement">
    Use the GDK APIs and services in the table below, and honour system settings via [Speech accessibility user settings](/build/game-principles/accessibility/speech-accessibility).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate">
    Ship to the [XBOX Accessibility Insiders League (XAIL)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-resources) for community feedback.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Merchandise">
    Declare [Accessibility feature tags](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-feature-tags) in Partner Center so players can filter for the features they need.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Program resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="XBOX Accessibility Guidelines" icon="list-check" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines">
    XAG 101–123 — the best-practice catalog for accessible XBOX games.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gaming and Disability Player Experience Guide" icon="user-group" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/gadpeg">
    Barriers and design responses organized by disability type.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals" icon="graduation-cap" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/gaf-info">
    Free Microsoft Learn path — 5 modules with a completion badge.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Disability etiquette" icon="handshake" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/etiquette">
    Short training on productive interactions with the Gaming and Disability Community.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Accessibility feature tags" icon="tags" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-feature-tags">
    ESA Accessible Games Initiative tags + XBOX tags for Partner Center.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Accessibility of gaming AI" icon="microchip-ai" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-of-gaming-ai">
    Applying accessibility principles to AI-driven game frontends and backends.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workshop toolkit" icon="chalkboard-user" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-workshop-toolkit">
    Facilitator-ready materials for running inclusive-design workshops.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Developer resources" icon="folder-open" href="/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-resources">
    XAC, connecting with players, training, conferences, and talks.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Development APIs and services

| Area                                 | API / Service                                                   | Platforms      |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- |
| Subtitles, captions, text display    | `XAccessibility`                                                | Windows, XBOX  |
| High-contrast mode                   | `XAccessibility` (`XHighContrastMode`)                          | Windows, XBOX  |
| Real-time voice chat                 | [Azure PlayFab Party](/services/playfab/multiplayer/networking) | Cross-platform |
| Speech-to-text / text-to-speech chat | PlayFab Party STT/TTS                                           | Cross-platform |
| Screen narration                     | `SpeechAccessibility`                                           | Windows, XBOX  |

## Related API documentation

* [XAccessibility API reference](/reference/system/xaccessibility/xaccessibility_members) — closed captions, high-contrast mode, and speech-to-text overlay APIs.
* [Speech accessibility user settings](/build/game-principles/accessibility/speech-accessibility) — reading and honouring the platform speech-accessibility switch.

## See also

* [Inclusive Design toolkit (Microsoft)](https://www.microsoft.com/design/inclusive/)
* [XBOX Developer Programs](https://www.xbox.com/publish)
* Questions? Contact the [Gaming Accessibility Team](mailto:xaccess@microsoft.com).


## Related topics

- [XAccessibility](/reference/system/xaccessibility/xaccessibility_members.md)
- [Metadata overview](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/metadata-overview.md)
- [Accessibility metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/metadata-accessibility.md)
- [XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAG)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines.md)
- [Speech accessibility user settings](/build/game-principles/accessibility/speech-accessibility.md)