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In the ever-evolving landscape of digital advancements, the collaboration between artificial intelligence-driven (AI-driven) technology and digital accessibility is fueling even faster progress. AI is being used to develop new technologies and to improve existing tools. With each innovation, the challenge arises: How do we ensure that everyone benefits from it and is included in the digital revolution? How do we ensure that the new technologies don’t create more barriers by virtue of how they work differently from what exists today? And, how can we be sure the technology doesn’t exclude the groups who need these advancements the most?
Technology fosters human connection and inclusion
Historically, technological breakthroughs have played a central role in connecting people and making essential resources more accessible. Innovations in information technology like the printing press and computers, along with innovations in transportation and manufacturing significantly increased accessibility to both information and resources, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.
The most significant leap in connectivity occurred with the advent of the internet. In today’s world, the internet is a global network connecting billions of people worldwide. In an enormous transformative leap forward, it revolutionized not just communication and information but also commerce.
However, not all these ground-breaking technologies benefited everyone. The internet also posed challenges in terms of inclusion. It took years of advocacy from individuals around the globe to bring these cutting-edge developments to a stage where everyone could reap the advantages. And we are still not there yet.
Advocacy opened doors for better inclusion
A growing recognition of the rights of individuals with diverse abilities drives advocacy for accessibility, both physical and digital. Governments worldwide have enacted legislation to ensure that public spaces, digital platforms, and information are accessible to everyone. In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses and institutions to provide accessible services and accommodations. Similarly, the European Accessibility Act mandates that products and services be made accessible to people with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive society.
Beyond legal frameworks, advocacy groups and individuals play a crucial role in promoting accessibility awareness and influencing businesses to prioritize inclusive design. The collective push for accessibility aligns with the fundamental principle that everyone, regardless of their abilities, should have equal access to opportunities and experiences. This concept is outlined in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Digital accessibility is a key element of inclusion in today’s technology
In the 21st century, the spotlight has fallen squarely on digital accessibility. As AI-driven technology advances, continuing to ensure that digital platforms are inclusive for everyone, including those with disabilities, is a critical consideration. Governments worldwide continue to enact legislation outlining what digital accessibility should look like. Nearly every country and its legislation refers to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as a measure of digital accessibility success. Testing of new technologies by a variety of groups with a diverse range of abilities remains key to maintaining a culture of inclusion as progress continues.
AI-driven technology as a catalyst for digital accessibility
Automated accessibility solutions
AI-driven technology has transformed the landscape of automated solutions in many fields, including digital accessibility. Machine learning algorithms are a game-changing contribution to how technology works and is developed. AI solutions can both speed up and multi-task to meet complex requirements while reducing manual efforts, making the building of applications and digital solutions more efficient and scalable.
Enhanced Personalization
AI has contributed to the creation of personalized experiences through adaptive learning. Now, digital interfaces can dynamically adjust to individual preferences and accessibility needs, providing a more tailored and user-friendly environment.
Improved user experience
The integration of AI-driven technology in digital accessibility leads to not just an improvement but a revolution in user experiences. Voice recognition, natural language processing, and gesture-based interfaces make digital platforms more intuitive, significantly benefiting individuals with diverse abilities and preferences and promoting inclusion. These innovations benefit not just people with disabilities but are quickly adopted by everyone who finds value in their functionality.
Innovative assistive technologies
From predictive text suggestions to context-aware navigation, AI fuels the ongoing development of innovative assistive technologies, offering new avenues for communication and interaction. These advancements empower users with disabilities in the digital space, further fostering an inclusive environment.
Challenges of AI in digital accessibility
AI, with its dynamic capabilities, facilitates faster and easier digital accessibility but is not without its challenges. AI solutions only work as they are trained to work using the data they are provided. A number of inclusion risks can arise unless inclusion and accessibility are top of mind in AI development.
Algorithmic Bias and Fairness Concerns
A significant challenge lies in the potential for algorithmic bias. AI solutions often use machine learning algorithms that learn by generalization. If the datasets used to train AI systems are not diverse and inclusive, the technology may unintentionally perpetuate existing biases, resulting in unequal accessibility experiences for different user groups. Including data from people with diverse abilities is critical to avoiding bias and ensuring that new technologies are accessible to everyone.
Ongoing technological evolution
The rapid pace of technological evolution introduces the challenge of keeping accessibility solutions both up-to-date and inclusive. As AI technologies continually advance, maintaining compatibility and addressing emerging accessibility needs pose ongoing challenges for developers and organizations. Again, testing with diverse individuals remains the best way to sustain accessibility as cutting-edge technologies emerge.
Responsible development fosters inclusion
AI has much to contribute to the future of automated solutions and digital accessibility. But while automatic solutions, personalized experiences, and creative assistive technologies showcase the transformative power of AI, issues like biased algorithms and complex implementation remind us to be responsible when developing it. Testing with real humans representing real-life experience, particularly people with disabilities, is critical to ongoing inclusion.
Finding the right balance between being innovative and making sure everyone is included is vital. We want the digital landscape to be a place where everyone, no matter their abilities, can participate and connect. As we move forward, prioritizing accessibility remains a fundamental step toward a fair and connected future. New technology is only “progress” if it helps and includes everyone in the global community.
Tammy Albee
Tammy Albee | Director of Marketing | Equidox Tammy joined Equidox after four years of experience working at the National Federation of the Blind. She firmly maintains that accessibility is about reaching everyone, regardless of ability, and boosting your market share in the process. "Nobody should be barred from accessing information. It's what drives our modern society."