Welcome to my Blog Series "Beyond Future-Gazing: A Now-ist Approach to Higher Ed Innovation". This will be a practical exploration of how higher education leaders can drive innovation by focusing on immediate action rather than distant possibilities. Join me Mondays and Thursdays in January and February.
One of its most impactful and promising applications of Artificial intelligence (AI) lies in assistive technology for accessibility. While conversations often focus on AI's role in teaching and administrative tasks, its potential to create more inclusive learning environments deserves our urgent attention. According to a recent Axios article, AI-powered tools are revolutionizing the way we approach disability support, breaking down barriers to education, and fostering inclusivity for students, faculty, and staff. But to fully realize the potential of AI in accessibility, higher education professionals must rethink their approach, moving beyond compliance to create truly equitable and empowering environments.
Beyond Traditional Accommodations
Traditional accessibility accommodations in higher education often relied on retrofitting solutions after the fact. In 2025, AI is enabling us to build universal design principles directly into the educational experience. For instance, at Pacific State University, AI-powered real-time transcription services automatically provide captions for all classroom discussions, benefiting not just deaf and hard-of-hearing students but also English language learners and those who process information better through text.
Accessibility in the AI Era
Accessibility in higher education has often been viewed through the lens of legal compliance—ensuring that websites, classrooms, and resources meet minimum standards. AI offers the opportunity to shift this paradigm. For instance, AI-powered transcription tools like Otter.ai and Rev have transformed how institutions provide real-time captioning for lectures and events, enabling students with hearing impairments to participate fully in academic activities.
Beyond transcription, tools like Microsoft’s Seeing AI help students with visual impairments navigate physical and digital spaces by describing their surroundings or reading printed text aloud. These advancements not only improve accessibility but also empower individuals to engage with their environment independently and confidently.
Personalized Learning Support
AI is revolutionizing how we support diverse learning needs. Adaptive learning platforms now adjust not just for pace and comprehension but also for different processing styles and accessibility requirements. AI-powered reading tools allows students with dyslexia for example to customize text presentation in real-time, while simultaneously offering text-to-speech options that maintain the natural flow of academic discourse.
Expanding the Scope: Neurodiversity and Cognitive Accessibility
AI is also making strides in supporting neurodiverse learners and those with cognitive disabilities. For example, platforms like Grammarly and Wordtune assist students with dyslexia or other learning challenges by providing grammar suggestions, rephrasing ideas for clarity, and enabling better written communication.
Virtual assistants powered by AI, such as Google Assistant or Siri, offer scheduling support and reminders tailored to individual needs, helping students with executive functioning challenges stay organized. By integrating these technologies into learning management systems and student support services, institutions can proactively meet the diverse needs of their communities.
Breaking Down Communication Barriers
Perhaps the most transformative impact is in communication support. AI-powered tools are helping students with speech differences or social communication challenges participate more fully in classroom discussions. Virtual discussion platforms with AI moderation can help pace conversations and ensure all voices are heard, while providing real-time communication support for students who might struggle with traditional class participation.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
While the potential of AI-powered assistive technology is immense, it is not without challenges. AI systems are only as effective as the data they are trained on, and biases in this data can lead to inequitable outcomes. For instance, speech-to-text tools often struggle with accents, dialects, or non-standard speech patterns, potentially marginalizing the very users they aim to support.
Higher education professionals must critically evaluate AI tools, ensuring they are tested with diverse populations and adapted to serve all users effectively. Additionally, privacy concerns around AI data collection need to be addressed transparently, particularly when working with sensitive student information.
Challenges and Considerations
As we embrace these technologies, several key considerations emerge:
Privacy and data security must remain paramount, especially regarding sensitive accommodation information
AI tools should complement, not replace, human support services
Regular assessment of AI systems for bias and accessibility is crucial
Training for students, faculty, and staff must attempt to keep pace with technological advances
Moving from Adoption to Innovation
Adopting existing AI tools is a crucial step, but higher education has the opportunity to lead in developing new solutions. Institutions can partner with tech companies to co-create tools designed specifically for academic settings. For example, an AI-driven note-taking app could integrate lecture-specific metadata, enabling students to revisit course material in accessible formats tailored to their preferences.
Institutions can also establish innovation hubs where students and faculty collaborate to design AI solutions that address accessibility challenges unique to their campus communities. Such initiatives not only improve inclusivity but also position higher education as a driver of technological and social progress.
A Call to Action
AI is reshaping the accessibility landscape, but its full potential will only be realized through intentional implementation and collaboration. Higher education professionals must advocate for the thoughtful use of AI, ensuring it enhances learning and support for everyone. By embracing assistive technology, fostering innovation, and addressing challenges head-on, institutions can build a more inclusive future—one where education is truly accessible to all.

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