About
Michael Fairchild is an accessibility specialist in Microsoft Security, where he helps teams prevent and resolve accessibility issues across products and services. He is also the creator of the a11y-llm-eval project, an initiative focused on improving the accessibility of AI-generated code and advancing practical evaluation methods for emerging AI systems. With over a decade of experience as a full-stack engineer and more than seven years specializing in accessibility, Michael brings a unique combination of deep technical expertise and accessibility leadership. Before joining Microsoft, he worked at the University of Nebraska as a full-stack engineer and later held several leadership roles at Deque, including Lead Accessibility Coach and Manager of Accessibility Consulting. Michael is also the founder of a11ysupport.io and an active member of the W3C, where he contributes to the WCAG and ARIA-AT working groups. His work bridges standards, tooling, and real-world engineering practices to help create more inclusive digital experiences. Outside of work, Michael is a Dune enthusiast and enjoys space simulation games, interests that occasionally find their way into his conversations and analogies.