Using AI for Alternate Media Creation and Automation

Scheduled at 11:15 am in Penrose 1 on Wednesday, November 13.

#39454

Speaker(s)

  • Susan Kelmer, Alternate Format Production Program Manager, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Sebastian Niles, Accessible Technology Specialist, University of California Davis
  • Stager Cath, Assistive Technology Specialist, Front Range Community College

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Artificial Intelligence (AI), for good or ill, is out there. How can we leverage some of power of AI technology in the creation of alternate media for students with print disabilities? We will discuss the available technology options and how they can automate, streamline, and assist in our creation of alternate format.

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a part of our lives. It is showing up everywhere from Meta/Facebook, to news reports, to being used to write technology documentation. If you've chatted online with a company, chances are you've encountered a "chat bot," an answering mechanism that can answer basic questions and provide resources without the input of a human worker. While there are places that AI doesn't belong, there is no reason we can't be using this powerful technology in our work in creating alternate format for print-disabled users. How we leverage those tools, in a way for good, could save us time and staffing, both of which are short in our offices these days.

We will cover a variety of products out there, including free, low cost and larger cost technologies, and how they can be used. We will also talk about when they should not be used. Despite AI's dubious reputation, sometimes a tool is just a tool - only as good as the person who wields it.

You will take away a better understanding of what AI can do, what it cannot, and how to use it as an everyday tool to "work smarter, not harder."

Keypoints

  1. Learn about Artificial Options as tools for creating quality alternate format.
  2. Understand what AI does well, and what it won't do well.
  3. Be able to integrate some AI tools into your workflow processes for alternate format.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Alternate Format, Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Susan Kelmer

Ms. Kelmer has been working with alternate format and accessible technology for more than 20 years in a higher education environment. Currently she works at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Alternate Format Production and Access Center, where alternate format materials for students with print disabilities are produced. She also consults with other departments on campus and other campuses about alternate format and how to produce materials effectively. She has presented at multiple AHG conferences in the last 20 years.

Sebastian Niles

Sebastian Niles is an accessible technology specialist for the student disability center at UC Davis. He holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Iowa State University and a Master's of in higher education from Central Washington University. Sebastian works to increase equitability for students with disabilities through the use of accessible technology, document remediation, and remedying technology concerns in the classroom.

Stager Cath

Cath has specialized in assistive technology, universal design, web accessibility and creating access to Academia and technology for over twenty-five years. She has worked with students, faculty and staff at Colorado State University and University of Colorado-Boulder and Front Range Community College. Cath has presented regionally and nationally on Universal Design, Accessibility, Assistive Technology and Disability Rights, Responsibilities & Accommodations within Higher Education for Students with Disabilities. Cath is one of the founding members of the Assistive Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN) (http://athenpro.org/). She is a Certified Usability Analyst and a lifelong learner. She is a long-time supporter, presenter, and planning committee member for the Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference.