AI in Accessibility: Complement or Competition?

By Blake Bertuccelli-Booth and Kevin Andrews

As web accessibility professionals, our primary mission is to ensure the internet is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. We believe that technology should empower people with disabilities, making digital spaces inclusive and usable for all. As the landscape of technology evolves, so too does our approach to web accessibility. Two emerging perspectives have begun to shape the discourse within our field: one that sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a revolutionary complement to existing accessibility tools, and another that views it as a potential competitor, challenging the effectiveness of time-tested methods.

AI as a Complement to Traditional Accessibility Tools

AI technology is transforming the digital landscape in many ways, providing new possibilities for people with disabilities to interact with content. Recent advancements in AI, such as Apple’s new AI tool, allow users to perform tasks through natural language processing without needing to see or touch a screen. This kind of technology offers an innovative solution for those who find traditional screen readers cumbersome or difficult to navigate. With AI, a blind user can quickly dictate and send an email or receive a summarized overview of a web page, bypassing the more verbose or intricate paths of traditional assistive technologies.

“AI offers new tools, but the expertise and oversight of accessibility professionals ensure these tools are used in ways that genuinely benefit users with disabilities.”

This is where we see AI's role as a valuable supplement to accessibility tools. AI can offer alternative ways for users to engage with content, enhancing their overall digital experience. For instance, AI-powered tools can read and summarize complex documents, identify and describe visual content, and provide contextual navigation cues. These features can complement traditional tools like screen readers, providing more dynamic and personalized user experiences. In this view, AI is not here to replace existing technologies but to augment them, offering additional options that can be particularly useful in environments where traditional methods fall short.

Concerns About AI as a Competitor in Accessibility

There are valid concerns about AI potentially undermining foundational accessibility practices. Traditional tools like screen readers and semantic HTML have been developed over decades, grounded in robust, community-driven standards. These technologies rely on the semantic structure of web pages—such as headings, lists, and landmarks—coded into the HTML to convey meaning and guide navigation. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which have been in place since 1999, are based on these principles and have proven effective in making web content accessible to a wide range of users.

AI tools, while promising, are not without their limitations. They often rely on machine-learning models that can be prone to errors and biases, particularly when interpreting complex language or images. An AI summarizing a webpage might miss critical context or provide inaccurate information, leading to confusion or an incomplete understanding for users who rely on precise and predictable outputs. Moreover, there is a concern that the growing reliance on AI could inadvertently lead developers to deprioritize proper coding practices, resulting in websites that are not well-structured or accessible to those using traditional assistive technologies.

In our work at Unlocked Freedom Access and Equalify, we have seen firsthand the importance of maintaining high standards for web accessibility. While AI has the potential to automate certain tasks and offer innovative solutions, it should not replace the fundamental practices that ensure digital spaces are navigable for all users. Overreliance on AI could result in a digital environment where accessibility is an afterthought, rather than a core principle embedded in the design and development process.

The Role of Accessibility Professionals in the Age of AI

As we navigate this evolving landscape, the role of accessibility professionals is more crucial than ever. Our work goes beyond just fact-checking AI outputs; it involves designing, testing, educating, and advocating for inclusive web practices. We help developers understand the importance of proper coding and guide them in implementing solutions that meet both current accessibility standards and future technological advancements. AI offers new tools, but the expertise and oversight of accessibility professionals ensure these tools are used in ways that genuinely benefit users with disabilities.

Furthermore, our advocacy must extend to the developers and companies creating these AI tools. We need to be in constant communication with AI developers, pushing for features and functionalities that prioritize accessibility. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our strategies for ensuring it supports, rather than undermines, the foundational accessibility practices we’ve spent decades refining.

A Balanced Approach to AI in Accessibility

The future of accessibility will indeed involve AI, but it will also require a balanced approach that respects both innovation and tradition. We must recognize AI's potential to enhance accessibility while remaining vigilant about its limitations and the importance of established practices. The goal is not to choose between AI and traditional tools but to integrate them in a way that maximizes the benefits of both.

AI can be a powerful complement to traditional accessibility tools, offering new opportunities for user interaction and engagement. However, it should not be seen as a one-size-fits-all solution that can replace the nuanced and intentional design required for true accessibility. As professionals dedicated to making the web accessible to all, we must continue to adapt, learn, and advocate for technologies that support an inclusive digital future.

By maintaining a thoughtful and balanced approach, we can ensure that the evolution of AI in accessibility serves to enhance, rather than detract from, the accessibility of the digital world.

About the Authors

Blake Bertuccelli-Booth is an outcome-oriented community builder and technologist with a strong passion for promoting equitable access to information. As the creator of the open-source project Equalify, Blake has significantly contributed to creating a more inclusive digital landscape for clients and customers. 

Kevin Andrews is a certified Web Accessibility expert who is passionate about leveraging technology to improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities. With a proven track record of success in the blind community, Kevin is deeply committed to going beyond mere compliance. He has a thorough understanding of internationally recognized digital accessibility standards and guidelines and is driven by a genuine belief in his mission. His enthusiastic and collaborative approach ensures that websites and mobile applications not only meet standards but also truly serve all users with both accessibility and usability in mind.

As the owner of Unlocked Freedom Access, Kevin emphasizes the importance of adopting the right approach and mindset in accessibility work. His background includes public speaking to diverse audiences, conducting thorough accessibility audits and producing detailed reports, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to tackle accessibility challenges, and delivering impactful accessibility training and workshops for groups ranging from 20 to 200 participants., both at home and abroad.