AI-powered Accessibility

By examining the experiences of individuals with disabilities, particularly in the workplace and educational settings, the chapter illuminates the need for and potential for AI-powered Assistive Technology that supports individuals with disabilities, enabling them to participate more fully in the workforce, learning environments, and beyond. However, the design and implementation of these AI tools must be informed by an understanding of the diverse needs and lived experiences of people with disabilities. Yeager argues that inclusive co-design and human-centered research that leverages the expertise of people with disabilities enables technologists to design inclusive AI-powered assistive technologies with the potential to redefine good design, reimagine disability, and enhance human capabilities. Involving disabled individuals in the design process is critical to ensure these tools meet their specific needs and empower them to participate fully in society. Through ethnographic research, accessibility advocates and disability researchers can gain insights into how these technologies shape the lived experiences, identities, and sense of belonging of assistive tech users. By advocating for accessibility as a fundamental principle of good design, we can work towards a future where technology is a tool for empowerment, not exclusion.