Building a Culture of Accessible AI in Higher Ed

Creating a culture that prioritizes accessibility in AI implementation requires more than policies and procedures—it demands visionary leadership that positions accessibility as central to institutional excellence. As higher education faces the AI revolution, leaders must champion approaches that ensure these powerful technologies enhance rather than hinder educational equity.

The challenge is substantial. Current AI tools often reflect the biases and assumptions of their creators, potentially reinforcing systemic inequities. Yet with intentional leadership, higher education institutions can become sites of innovation that push AI development toward greater accessibility and inclusion.

Here are five essential strategies for higher education leaders committed to building a culture of accessible AI:

1. Position Accessibility as Innovation, Not Compliance

Too often, accessibility is framed as a legal obligation rather than a catalyst for creativity and excellence. Effective leaders reframe this narrative by:

• Highlighting how accessibility considerations drive better design for all users

• Celebrating innovations that emerge from addressing disability-related challenges

• Recognizing accessibility expertise as valuable institutional knowledge

• Including accessibility metrics in innovation assessment frameworks

This reframing helps shift institutional culture from viewing accessibility as a burden to recognizing it as a source of competitive advantage and educational excellence.

2. Build Cross-Functional Accessibility Expertise

Accessible AI implementation requires collaboration across traditionally siloed units. Forward-thinking leaders:

• Create cross-functional AI accessibility committees that include disability services, IT, instructional design, and faculty representatives

• Develop accessibility champions in each department who receive specialized training

• Include students with disabilities in planning and assessment processes

• Partner with external accessibility experts to supplement internal knowledge

By distributing accessibility expertise throughout the institution, leaders create sustainable cultures where considerations for diverse users become standard practice rather than specialized knowledge.

3. Develop Robust AI Procurement and Assessment Processes

Institutional purchasing power can significantly influence vendor priorities. Strategic leaders leverage this power by:

• Creating comprehensive accessibility rubrics for AI tool evaluation

• Including accessibility requirements in RFPs and contracts

• Engaging vendors in ongoing accessibility improvement conversations

• Sharing assessment frameworks with peer institutions to amplify impact

A comprehensive accessibility rubric for evaluating AI tools should examine multiple dimensions including customizability of outputs, multimodal interaction options, compatibility with assistive technologies, and cognitive load management. Other essential criteria include keyboard-only navigation, error tolerance, privacy controls, flexible timing options, and inclusive defaults that respect and reflect disability identity.

4. Prioritize AI Literacy Development

Disparities in AI literacy create new equity gaps that affect vulnerable populations disproportionately. Visionary leaders address this by:

• Developing AI literacy programs that reach all campus constituencies

• Creating specialized resources for populations with lower technology adoption

• Incorporating accessibility considerations into all AI training materials

• Providing opportunities for experimentation in low-stakes environments

The Inside Higher Ed Student Voice Survey finding that 43% of adult learners lack awareness of appropriate AI use cases (compared to 28% of traditional-aged students) underscores the urgency of targeted literacy initiatives.

5. Model Ethical AI Use at the Institutional Level

Leaders must demonstrate the practices they wish to see throughout their organizations by:

• Being transparent about institutional AI use in student support, administration, and instruction

• Establishing clear ethical guidelines that prioritize equity and accessibility

• Creating accountability mechanisms for AI implementation

• Regularly assessing and reporting on accessibility outcomes of AI initiatives

By modeling ethical, accessible AI use, leaders set expectations and cultural norms that permeate the institution.

Case Study: Transforming Campus Culture

Consider a university or college that integrated these approaches when implementing an AI-powered student success platform.

Before adoption, they:

1. Conducted extensive accessibility testing with diverse student participants

2. Modified their procurement contract to require regular accessibility improvements

3. Developed comprehensive training emphasizing accessibility features

4. Created a feedback system specifically for accessibility concerns

5. Established an oversight committee including disability services representatives

The result may not just a more accessible tool, but an institutional culture that now routinely considers accessibility in all technology decisions.

The transformation toward accessible AI doesn't happen overnight. It requires sustained leadership commitment, resource allocation, and cultural change. However, institutions that embrace this challenge position themselves as leaders in leveraging AI's potential while mitigating its risks.

As higher education navigates the AI evolution, let's ensure our institutions become models of inclusive innovation—places where technological advancement and accessibility evolve together, creating educational environments that truly serve all learners.

Ready to move from promise to practice in your AI strategy?

Dr. Claire Brady offers “From Promise to Practice: AI’s Role in Higher Ed Accessibility,” that equips higher education leaders with the tools to design, implement, and evaluate AI technologies through an equity and accessibility lens. Whether you're a disability services professional, a senior leader exploring AI adoption, or a faculty champion for inclusive innovation—this training will challenge your thinking and sharpen your approach. Explore this session and other high-impact AI trainings at www.drclairebrady.com, or reach out directly to schedule a conversation.