Key points:
AI has tremendous potential to enhance accessibility and support for students–particularly for students with disability, according to a new report from CoSN and CAST.
The report is a comprehensive guide for educators, district leaders, and policymakers as it offers insights into the benefits and challenges of AI in education and offers practical strategies for effective and ethical AI implementation, with a focus on enabling accessibility.
As AI technologies like generative AI and assistive tools become increasingly prevalent in learning environments, it is crucial that educators understand both their benefits and limitations.
Key findings in the report include:
1. Potential of AI for accessibility
- AI tools can significantly improve personalized learning by tailoring educational content to meet the unique needs and preferences of each student, especially those with disabilities. For example, text-to-speech software, speech recognition systems, and AI-integrated augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools enhance the learning experience for students with diverse needs.
- AI can alleviate teacher burnout by automating administrative tasks such as grading and attendance tracking, allowing educators to focus more on direct student interaction and support.
2. Use cases and examples
- Case studies from various educational settings illustrate the practical applications of AI in enhancing accessibility. For instance, AI tools have been used to create learning materials, facilitate communication for students with speech disabilities, and develop accessible math assessments for blind students.
3. Challenges and risks
- Despite its potential, AI implementation in education comes with challenges such as data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and limitations in personalized learning. AI systems must be created by diverse people and to avoid inaccuracies and ensure true representation, particularly for students with disabilities.
- Ensuring that AI tools are designed and implemented with accessibility in mind is crucial to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.
4. Policy and frameworks
- This report highlights the importance of policy frameworks and guidelines to ensure the safe and ethical use of AI in education. Key policies include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to Title II (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services, 2024), which require state and local government entities to provide fully accessible digital resources.
- The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework provides a guiding principle for creating inclusive educational environments that cater to all students’ needs, interests, and preferences.
Recommendations
The report proposes a three-level solution for safe generative AI implementation, focusing on short-term actions like professional development, medium-term actions such as ensuring accessibility for special education students, and long-term goals of universal access to AI tools. It also urges ongoing collaboration to ensure effective and intentional AI implementation.
