Embracing the future of digital accessibility: AI-powered inclusivity for all
Quick summary: How businesses are leveraging AI to explore new horizons in digital accessibility for people with disabilities
In today’s digital age, equitable access to technology is a right everyone deserves. However, people with disabilities still face inaccessible websites and applications daily. As we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), it’s vital to highlight the significant impact technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), has in shaping accessibility within the digital landscape.
The present landscape of digital accessibility
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “an estimated 1.3 billion people—or 1 in 6—experience significant disability.” It is important now more than ever for businesses and organizations to put digital accessibility front and center.
Despite the progress over the years, there are many websites, apps, and digital services that remain inaccessible for people with disabilities. For example, screen reader software designed to aid blind and low-vision users by reading web content aloud often falters when dealing with intricate layouts and dynamic content. Additionally, those with motor disabilities struggle to navigate websites that are missing keyboard-only access.
Addressing these challenges and gaps in digital accessibility is essential to ensure digital inclusion and that no one is left behind in our evolving digital landscape.
Unleashing AI’s potential for greater digital accessibility
Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize digital accessibility, tackling existing challenges and bridging the gap between technology and users with disabilities. Here we explore four areas where AI can make a significant impact on digital accessibility:
Revolutionizing screen readers
AI-enhanced screen readers can analyze web content with greater precision, offering blind and low-vision users a more fluid experience. Harnessing the power of natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms, screen readers can better comprehend context and intent, leading to a more accurate and enjoyable user experience.
Superior automatic captioning and transcription
AI can significantly elevate the quality and speed of automatic captioning and transcription services for video and audio content. By employing speech recognition and NLP, AI can generate real-time captions and transcriptions that are not only more accurate but also contextually relevant. This advancement will aid users who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who need to access content in a language they are not fully proficient in.
Intuitive predictive text and voice recognition
AI can assist users with motor or cognitive disabilities in communicating more effectively through predictive text and voice recognition technologies. By learning from a user’s speech patterns and typing habits, AI can anticipate and suggest words, phrases, and sentences, simplifying the process of composing messages, emails, or social media posts.
Innovative image and object recognition
AI-powered image and object recognition can enrich the digital experience for blind and low-vision users by offering detailed descriptions of images, videos, and real-world objects. This innovative technology can more accurately identify and describe the content of images, making it increasingly accessible for users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies.
How businesses and industry professionals can support accessibility
As AI constantly advances, it is essential for businesses and industry professionals to prioritize digital accessibility as a fundamental value. In doing so, they can foster more inclusive experiences and unlock new opportunities for people with disabilities. To achieve this, businesses should:
Collaborate with the disability community
For genuinely accessible solutions, businesses should work closely with people with disabilities, disability advocates, and accessibility experts. By designing products and services with the needs of people with disabilities in mind and incorporating features like adjustable font sizes and screen readers, businesses can effectively meet their requirements.
Adopt inclusive design principles
Inclusive design is an approach that considers the diverse needs of users from the outset, ensuring that products and services are accessible and usable by everyone. By adopting inclusive design principles, businesses can create more accessible digital experiences while also benefiting from increased innovation and a broader user base.
Advocate for accessibility within the industry
Industry professionals should use their influence to promote digital accessibility as a priority across the sector. This can be done by sharing best practices, participating in accessibility-focused events like GAAD, and encouraging organizations to invest in accessibility initiatives.
Stay informed about advancements in AI and accessibility
Businesses and industry professionals should stay up to date with the latest advancements in AI and digital accessibility to leverage innovative technologies and improve their products and services continually.
The road ahead for AI in digital accessibility
Global Accessibility Awareness Day stands as a powerful reminder that fostering digital accessibility is essential in building a truly inclusive world. As AI forges ahead, its potential to revolutionize digital accessibility and improve the lives of people with disabilities grows exponentially. By placing accessibility at the forefront and harnessing AI’s capabilities, businesses and industry professionals can cultivate more inclusive digital experiences, guaranteeing that everyone can reap the rewards of the digital revolution.
Logic20/20 is proud to support Global Accessibility Awareness Day and is committed to driving advancements in digital accessibility. Working together, we can create a more accessible and inclusive digital landscape for everyone.
We’ve curated a collection of additional resources for you to explore. These articles, and customer success stories will provide further insights and examples of the importance of digital inclusion:
• Offering utility customers a better online experience
• Improving accessibility, improving UX
• Web accessibility: what it is and why it’s important for business
• Tracking accessibility analytics in the financial services industry
• Why web accessibility is no longer optional
Gabrielle Haber is a Senior Consultant in Logic20/20’s Strategy & Operations practice.
Logic20/20 is a Solution Provider member of Utility Analytics Institute. Check out UAI Communities and become a member to join the discussions at Utility Analytics Institute.
