AI and Accessibility: How Technology Helps People with Disabilities

May 13

For many people, everyday tasks—reading a sign, climbing stairs, hearing a conversation—are things easily taken for granted. But for millions of people with disabilities, these tasks present challenges. Artificial intelligence is now opening new doors, helping to create a world that is more inclusive and accessible.

Seeing Through Technology

AI-powered apps can help people with visual impairments by describing their surroundings through a smartphone camera. Microsoft’s “Seeing AI” app, for instance, can read text aloud, identify objects, and even describe people’s facial expressions. This empowers users to navigate the world more independently.

Hearing Through AI

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, AI-driven captioning systems convert speech into text in real time. Video platforms like YouTube and conferencing tools such as Zoom now offer automatic captions powered by machine learning. While not perfect, these tools make communication more accessible than ever before.

Mobility and Independence

AI-powered exoskeletons and smart wheelchairs are helping people with mobility impairments regain independence. These devices use sensors and algorithms to adapt to the user’s movements, making navigation easier. Smart home assistants, meanwhile, allow voice-controlled lights, doors, and appliances—small conveniences that add up to greater autonomy.

The Digital Divide

Despite these advances, accessibility isn’t universal. Many AI tools are expensive or unavailable in certain regions. Digital literacy is also a barrier, particularly for older adults with disabilities who may struggle to adopt new technologies. True accessibility means not just inventing solutions but ensuring they are affordable, available, and easy to use.

Closing Thoughts: Building an Inclusive Future

AI has the power to level the playing field, giving people with disabilities greater freedom and opportunity. But technology alone isn’t enough—it must be designed with empathy, tested with real users, and supported by policies that prioritize inclusion. For both teens and elders, the lesson is clear: when we design for accessibility, we design for everyone.

Tanya Patel

Tanya Patel is a senior at The Pingry School with a strong academic focus on economics, business, finance, and accounting. She is the founder and president of Farming for GRACE, a student-led initiative that grows and donates culturally relevant produce. She also mentors children and provides health app support to elders at her temple and coaches youth soccer. Across all of her endeavors, Tanya is motivated by one throughline: ensuring systems—whether in food, technology, healthcare, or community—are built with equity, dignity, and inclusion at their core