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Using AI Without Making Things Worse: A Practical Accessibility Approach

Scheduled at 11:45 in Penrose II on Wednesday, November 18.

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Speaker(s)

  • Rachel Comerford, Senior Director of Accessibility, Macmillan Learning
  • Crista Earl, Principal Accessibility Consultant, Tech for All, Inc

Session Details

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

Summary

Generative AI is already shaping how students learn. But like any new and powerful tool, it requires thoughtful use and without that, it can create new barriers. This session explores how to use AI as a practical tool for improving accessibility, not just efficiency. You’ll learn simple, low-risk ways to reduce cognitive load, support student choice, and align your teaching with ADA Title II without adding (too much) to your workload.

Abstract

AI is now a part of student’s lives, whether we plan for it or not. Because of that, the question isn’t if we should use it but how to use it in ways that actually support students. Without oversight, AI can just as easily increase confusion, cognitive overload, and inequity.

This session takes a practical, honest look at where AI can help, where it falls short, and gives suggestions on how to approach it through an accessibility lens. We’ll unpack some common myths like the idea that AI tools are automatically accessible and shift focus toward reducing unnecessary friction for learners. We’ll also discuss what’s changing from a policy perspective, including ADA Title II, in a way that’s relevant to AI in the classroom.

Throughout the session, you’ll see concrete, low-risk examples of how AI can support accessibility right now. This includes using AI to improve instructions, break down complex tasks, and give students more ways to engage with content (without requiring them to use AI themselves).

We’ll wrap up with simple starting points and next steps, so you leave with something you can actually try.

Keypoints

  1. AI is not inherently accessible; accessibility depends on intentional design and outcomes
  2. ADA Title II requires meaningful, human-centered integration of AI in learning environments
  3. Small, low-risk AI practices can significantly reduce barriers and improve student agency

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Artificial Intelligence, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Rachel Comerford

Rachel Comerford is the Senior Director of Accessibility at Macmillan Learning where she leads cross-functional efforts to ensure students of all abilities have access to their course materials. In 2020, BISG awarded Rachel the Industry Innovator award for her work helping Macmillan Learning to become the first Global Certified Accessible publisher by Benetech. Under her leadership, Macmillan was recognized by WIPO’s Accessible Book Consortium with the International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing in 2020 for their work towards providing educational materials that any student can use and as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index® for five consecutive years. She has presented at many conferences including Accessing Higher Ground, CSUN-ATC, and SXSW and actively participates in accessibility work at 1EdTech, PAAG, and BISG among others.

Crista Earl

Crista has 30-plus years of experience in design, development, and testing of accessible information and communication

technology. Previously, as Director of Web Operations at the American Foundation for the Blind, she oversaw a team of developers, database administrators,

content managers, and social media professionals to develop and expand several accessible websites and software applications.

With CrissCross Technologies, she created and distributed audio tutorials on Windows-based applications for users of screen-reading technology and developed and distributed games and educational software for people with visual impairments. As a senior member of the TFA consulting team she leads non-visual accessibility evaluation of software, website, mobile, and integrated hardware & software products.

As an instructor at the Baruch College Computer Center for Visually Impaired People, she taught several courses in using applications with screen readers and other assistive technology.