[SC-CSTD] FW: New AFB Research on AI and Assistive Technology

Wed Aug 19 20:00:08 UTC 2026

From: American Foundation for the Blind <info at action.afb.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 11:00 AM
To: Frank Loza <floza58 at bellsouth.net>
Subject: New AFB Research on AI and Assistive Technology

Explore new findings on how people with and without disabilities are using AI-enabled assistive technologies.

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518401/641057414/459315156?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518402/641057415/459315156?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

Artificial intelligence can readily convert information from one modality to another, making it potentially well-suited for use as assistive technology. AI is already being incorporated into tools such as visual descriptions, captions, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

AFB's new report,  <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518404/641057417/459315156?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> Innovation for Access: AI and Its Use as Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities, examines the use of these AI-enabled assistive technologies, drawing on findings from a 2025 survey of 1,735 participants, including 1,070 people with disabilities and 665 people without disabilities.

Among the findings:

*	79% of blind and low-vision (BLV) participants in the full study used AI visual descriptions. Among BLV visual description users, 93% used the technology to read text, while 78% used it to describe photos and 78% to describe scenes.
*	54% of deaf/Deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) participants who used AI captions used them at least once a day, compared with 20% of hearing participants.
*	Users reported gaps between the actual and ideal accuracy of both AI visual descriptions and AI captions. Some participants also reported mistakes that had serious consequences.
*	Visual description users were more comfortable using AI to read sensitive information when the information stayed on their device rather than being shared with a technology company.
*	AAC users prioritized human-like voices, appropriate emotional inflection, and greater customization of their communication software.

The report also outlines recommendations for those developing AI for mainstream or assistive technology, including improving accuracy and customization, strengthening privacy and data security practices, and incorporating the needs and experiences of people with disabilities throughout product development.

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518406/641057419/459315156?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> Explore the full findings and recommendations on how AI is being used as assistive technology by people with and without disabilities.

Read the Report  <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518408/641057422/459315156?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

Arielle Silverman

Director of Research

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518411/641057423/1644789044?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518413/641057427/583219149?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518415/641057432/-1154486104?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/137518420/641057434/-1383658192?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMy8xLzcyODI3IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjliOTI5ZWE1LWRlOWItZjExMS05YjMzLTAwMGQzYTExZmEzMCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZmxvemE1OEBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=8sSrU5RzWf1PLrQW7clXl_ZmVnx68XmHPYzI5-aN0qs=&emci=f848c4af-1b9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi=9b929ea5-de9b-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&ceid=5278229> 

American Foundation for the Blind
2900 S Quincy St
#200
Arlington, VA 22206
United States    

If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive our emails, please unsubscribe.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/sc-cstd_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260819/3796a727/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: ~WRD0000.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 823 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/sc-cstd_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260819/3796a727/attachment.jpg>