You are here: Home » Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Artificial Intelligence, Captioning/Transcription, Faculty Development & Support, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access » Leveraging AI for Accessibility: Wins, Warnings, and What’s Next

Leveraging AI for Accessibility: Wins, Warnings, and What’s Next

Handouts

Scheduled at 3:00 pm in Penrose 2 on Wednesday, November 19.

#41104

Speaker(s)

  • Terisa ODowd, Instructional Accessibility Designer, Texas Woman's University

Session Details

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

Summary

Discover how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool—and a potential risk—for digital accessibility. This session explores the accessibility benefits, pitfalls, and practical strategies for using AI tools like ChatGPT, Khanmigo, and more to support diverse student needs across disabilities. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas to enhance accessibility and avoid common missteps.

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming education—but how does it impact accessibility? In this session, we dive deep into the dual-sided nature of AI’s influence on digital inclusion.

Participants will explore both the "wins"—ways AI improves course accessibility for students with cognitive, visual, mobility, and hearing disabilities—and the "warnings"—biases, gaps, and risks that could unintentionally create new barriers.

Through demonstrations of tools like ChatGPT, Khanmigo, and others, we will show how AI can:

  • Generate accessible learning materials efficiently (e.g., auto-captioning, alt-text creation).
  • Provide real-time support tools for students with cognitive disabilities.
  • Enhance navigation and interaction for students with mobility challenges.

However, we will also highlight key concerns:

  • Inaccurate or biased outputs impacting accessibility.
  • Over-reliance on automated tools without human validation.
  • Accessibility gaps in AI interfaces themselves (keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, etc.).

Attendees will leave the session equipped with:

  • Practical strategies for matching AI tools to different types of disabilities.
  • A framework for evaluating the accessibility and ethical implications of AI tools.
  • Action steps for incorporating AI into course design while maintaining accessibility standards.

The session will include live tool demonstrations, interactive polling, and hands-on scenario-based problem-solving activities, ensuring participants are actively engaged and prepared to apply the insights immediately in their educational settings.

Keypoints

  1. AI can enhance accessibility but must be applied thoughtfully to avoid creating new barriers.
  2. Different AI tools can address specific disability needs, from cognitive supports to mobility aids.
  3. Faculty must critically evaluate AI outputs for accessibility, bias, and usability.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Artificial Intelligence, Captioning/Transcription, Faculty Development & Support, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Terisa ODowd

Terisa O'Dowd is an instructional accessibility designer at Texas Woman’s University, where she coaches faculty on embedding accessibility into online and hybrid course design. She frequently speaks at national conferences on accessibility and artificial intelligence in education. Terisa holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Tech University and is an IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies.

Handout(s)