Talk of artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now, but what does AI mean for accessibility and accommodations? The key take-aways are:
- AI tools are not all fully accessible. Laws and policies around accessibility and accommodations apply to AI too.
- Some people with disabilities have adopted various AI tools as additional assistive technology.
- AI can facilitate universal design and accessibility.
AI May Not Be Accessible
AI tools are changing constantly, and new AI tools appear regularly, so there is no consistent answer about whether and which AI tools are fully accessible. However, and unfortunately, previous tests have found multiple popular AI tools fall short of accessibility requirements.
If you're considering using an AI tool with your students, check its accessibility first:
- If you access the tool through a browser, run the WAVE toolbar on it.
- Conduct an 8-point accessibility check on the tool. (A few of the 8 steps probably won't apply.)
- Consult with the Universal Design Center about the accessibility of the tool you've chosen.
If you have a student receiving accommodations through Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) and/or NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, they may be able to provide further guidance.
AI As Assistive Technology
"Assistive technology (AT) is any ... software ... that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities." (Assistive Technology Industry Association)
AI and now generative AI expand the possibilities of assistive technologies. AI tools are affordable and convenient. You may already be using AI as assistive technology! People with disabilities are adopting AI for a variety of tasks.
- Automated captions on a video, webinar, or video call are AI-generated.
- Automatic language translation tools are AI too.
- AI can describe photographs and digital images.
- AI tools can support people with cognitive or learning disabilities (or language differences) with reading and writing.
AI and Reliability
A sighted person can look at picture next to its description; a hearing person can more readily compare spoken dialogue to a transcript. People with disabilities who want to use AI as assistive technology often have to trust the information returned by the tool without a convenient way to validate that information. They need their AI tool to be accurate and reliable.
AI and Accommodations
If you limit the use of AI in your course, but a student requests to use it as assistive technology, you or the student (or both) should consult with DRES and/or NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
AI As Universal Design
Universal design means design for everyone. Many of the assistive technology and other applications of AI can help everyone at CSUN make our digital course materials, communications, and technology accessible, and support us with other tasks.
- When students are assigned to conduct interviews, Zoom's live captions provide them with a transcript.
- AI image descriptions can expedite the creation of alt text, giving you a starting point to edit instead of a blank text box.
