Inclusive Oversight: Empowering Disabled Voices in Shaping AI Accessibility Standards
Gayathri GopalanTable of Contents
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The hot word of this era.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems have become increasingly popular, developers must ensure that they develop these technologies in an inclusive and accessible manner, AI Accessibility Standards particularly for persons with disabilities. According to the WHO, by 2030, over 2.5 billion disabled individuals will require one or more assistive technologies.
Shockingly, nearly a billion of them cannot obtain these essential products. In globalization, this equates to depriving an entire community of equal access to services others take for granted.
The rapid advancement of AI has raised significant ethical and legal questions about the impact of these technologies on vulnerable populations. This article explores the need for a responsible and human-centric approach to AI development, prioritizing the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Harnessing AI as the ‘Voice of the Disabled’
Today, our world is tech-driven. Most tech-based innovations aim to simplify people’s lives and make work more accessible and productive.
However, have we ever considered making AI accessible to people with disabilities? Making AI accessible to disabled and marginalized people holds immense promise for inclusivity. Let’s look at some examples.
1. Addressing Employment Disparities :
Despite advancements, individuals with disabilities still face disparities in employment. However, AI offers a way to close this disparity gap. By embracing AI-driven accessibility solutions, businesses can create a more inclusive workplace environment, enabling individuals with disabilities to contribute meaningfully and thrive professionally.
For instance, a team at EY has developed an AI sign language translator app to reduce disability-based disparities in the employment sector. The app converts sign language into spoken word and spoken word into sign, enabling seamless communication among team members. This solution narrows the communication gap, making it easier for individuals with hearing impairments to interact and contribute effectively in the workplace.
2. Powering Accessibility with AI Accessibility Standards:
Google’s Project Euphonia leverages AI to enhance accessibility to speech recognition technology. In turn, this effort supports individuals with speech and hearing-based disabilities. Similarly, Microsoft’s collaboration with Be My Eyes showcases how AI-powered digital assistants facilitate customer service accessibility for visually impaired individuals, improving efficiency and satisfaction.
3. Recognizing Excellence in AI Innovation
Initiatives like Intel AI Innovation for Accessibility Awards highlight groundbreaking projects leveraging AI to address accessibility challenges. From eye-tracking communication systems to AI-enabled navigation aids for individuals with dementia, these projects show the transformative potential of AI Accessibility Standards in enhancing accessibility and independence.
Here are some more novel AI-powered ideas aimed at helping people with disabilities:
- Facilitating Communication: AI-based voice technologies like Siri and Alexa bridge communication gaps for impaired individuals. They provide text and image descriptions for the visually impaired and facilitate speech-to-text for those with speech impediments.
- Enabling Learning Opportunities: AI technology enables accessible AI Accessibility Standards in education and skill development. For instance, AI-driven braille tutors ensure that employees with disabilities have equal access to continuous learning and growth opportunities. AI-driven braille tutors are digital tools that use AI to aid visually impaired individuals in learning braille. They offer personalized tutoring, practice, and skill reinforcement. These tutors benefit students who lack access to specialist teachers or need extra support. They promote braille literacy and enhance reading habits, education, and job opportunities for the visually impaired.
- Promoting Independence: AI assists disabled employees by streamlining workflows and promoting independent lifestyles. For instance, many virtual assistants and chatbots help with scheduling, task automation, and information retrieval. This allows users to navigate work-related tasks efficiently.
- Enhancing Connectivity: AI technology fosters connections in an increasingly interconnected world. Virtual assistants aid in device navigation for the visually impaired, while transcription services facilitate group communication for those with hearing impairments.
Fundamental Rights and the Foundations of Trustworthy AI
Having seen the potential of AI as the ‘voice of the disabled,’ let’s now discuss the ethical and responsible deployment of AI. Before learning about these issues, we must understand the term ‘trustworthy AI.’
What is Trustworthy AI?
Trustworthy AI refers to artificial intelligence systems with three key characteristics: lawfulness, ethical behavior, and robustness. These AI Accessibility Standards components should operate harmoniously and align with foundational values, such as respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Trustworthy AI systems should adhere to various guideline requirements, including human agency and oversight, technical robustness and safety, privacy and data governance, transparency, diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, societal and environmental well-being, and accountability. Trustworthy AI aims to ensure that AI systems promote a democratic, flourishing, and fair society while upholding fundamental rights and ethical principles.
The fundamental rights and values enshrined in international and regional human rights frameworks are at the heart of the ‘trustworthy AI’ concept. The European Commission’s Ethics Guidelines for trustworthy artificial intelligence stipulate that AI development operates with respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Specifically, these guidelines emphasize that AI systems must uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals, focusing particularly on protecting vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.
Bridging the Accessibility Gap: Obstacles and Opportunities
Despite the legal protections and ethical principles surrounding the development of AI, there is a stark reality that is lurking beneath. Persons with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing assistive technologies and AI-powered solutions.
The data presented by Joemets and Chochia (2021) paints a troubling picture, with the vast majority of disabled and marginalized people lacking access to essential assistive products and services.
In particular, the data explores the underlying reasons for this accessibility gap, highlighting the interplay between economic, social, and AI Accessibility Standards technological factors. It examines how the high costs of assistive technologies, coupled with the often fragmented and inadequate policy and regulatory frameworks, have limited the availability and affordability of these solutions for persons with disabilities.
Okay! So? Why is this important now?
Great question!
We will explore why following a responsible and human-specific approach is crucial for developing AI frameworks that are inclusive and demographically unconstrained.
Imagine a world where millions of people with disabilities lack access to the assistive products they need for daily living. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this reality is closer than we think. As said before, by 2030, over 2 billion individuals AI Accessibility Standards will require at least one assistive product, yet many will need access. This staggering gap highlights a pressing need for innovative solutions.
This is where AI-based assistive technologies are of massive help. These cutting-edge tools provide a glimmer of hope for individuals with disabilities. From intelligent spoons to voice indicators, spectacles, and hearing aids, AI has the potential to revolutionize accessibility and independence for millions worldwide.
However, developers must guide AI systems by the principles of trustworthy AI. This means ensuring that these technologies operate lawfully, ethically, and AI Accessibility Standards robustly. The goal is to harness AI’s power for good without perpetuating social inequality. Yet, achieving this goal comes with challenges, particularly in navigating economic and social rights.
With the participation of governments, these aspects are feasible. Transparent policies and funding allocation are essential to promoting access to AI-based assistive technologies. Without funding allocations, it is difficult to create AI-based technologies that are of greater use to humanity.
Likewise, with transparent policies, one can expect an equitable distribution of resources and fair access to AI-based assistive technologies. Moreover, in these AI Accessibility Standards policies, ethical considerations must always be at the forefront, ensuring that these technologies respect fundamental rights and contribute positively to society.
Responsible AI Frameworks and the Inclusion of Disabled Voices
In response to these challenges, we must learn to positively examine the emergence of responsible AI frameworks, such as the European Commission’s Ethics Guidelines. These frameworks emphasize the importance of incorporating ethical principles and human rights considerations into developing and deploying AI systems.
Responsible AI frameworks guide how AI technologies develop and operate responsibly. These frameworks give us rules and values to follow, ensuring that AI Accessibility Standards systems are fair, lawful, and respectful of people’s rights and values. When making AI inclusive, it’s crucial to hear from individuals with disabilities. They bring unique perspectives that can help us create AI that everyone can use efficiently.
When we involve individuals with disabilities in designing AI frameworks, we benefit from diverse perspectives that help uncover biases that were unintentionally missed. By listening to disabled persons’ perspectives, we learn about their challenges and can create AI systems that better meet their needs. This collaboration sparks new ideas and ensures any AI-based technology is designed with everyone in mind.
Navigating the Legal and Regulatory Landscape
Protecting everyone’s rights, especially in AI, involves a multifaceted approach that includes legal frameworks and their enforcement. This approach has three dimensions.
First Dimension
We know laws and regulations are essential for guaranteeing access to AI technologies for people with disabilities. These laws provide a foundation for ensuring that AI Accessibility Standards individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to benefit from AI advancements.
They may encompass various aspects, including accessibility standards for AI technologies, provisions for funding or subsidies to make these technologies more affordable, and mandates for incorporating accessibility features into AI systems from their design phase.
Second Dimension
However, enacting laws is just the beginning; enforcing them is equally crucial. This is where the role of the courts becomes significant. Courts play a vital role in upholding and interpreting laws related to AI accessibility. They ensure that governments and other entities comply with legal requirements regarding access to AI technologies for people with disabilities.
Through legal proceedings, courts can hold accountable those who fail to fulfill their obligations under the law, compelling them to take corrective actions, allocate necessary resources, or revise policies to ensure inclusivity.
Third Dimension
Enforcing laws related to inclusive AI is more than just the court’s responsibility. It also involves regulatory bodies, government agencies, and other stakeholders overseeing compliance with these laws. These entities monitor the implementation of legal requirements, investigate complaints or violations, and take action to address any shortcomings or barriers to accessibility. Inclusive AI isn’t merely a moral imperative; it’s a legal mandate.
By enacting and enforcing laws that promote accessibility and inclusivity in AI technologies, societies ensure that everyone, regardless of disability, can fully participate in and benefit from technological advancements. This not only upholds the principles of equality and non-discrimination but also develops innovation and social progress by leveraging the talents and contributions of all individuals. Ultimately, by prioritizing inclusive AI, societies move closer to realizing their aspirations for a more equitable world.
Our Two Cents
The Inclusive AI (TIA) prioritizes inclusivity in AI development, advocating for regulatory frameworks to guarantee access to AI technologies for people with disabilities. We must include the voices of individuals with disabilities to address their unique needs. We emphasize incorporating ethical principles and human rights considerations into AI systems to ensure this collaboration.
Prioritizing the accessibility and usability of AI-powered technologies will provide policymakers, developers, and disability advocates an opportunity to unlock the transformative potential of these tools while mitigating the risks of exclusion and discrimination. Together, we can achieve the vision of a future where AI enhances the lives and independence of people with disabilities.
By promoting accessibility and usability in AI, TIA aims to mitigate exclusion and discrimination, offering services like Policy Advocacy and Application Reviews to promote diversity and inclusivity in the AI landscape. Ultimately, TIA envisions a future where AI enhances the well-being and empowerment of all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Who Are We?
As an innovator in AI inclusivity, The Inclusive AI (TIA) is leading the charge for diversity and inclusion within the AI realm. Our dedication spans across Policy Advocacy, Literacy Training, and Application Reviews, ensuring that AI fosters inclusivity. Our mission is clear: to forge a path toward a more accessible and fair AI future, catalyze positive transformations, and establish Artificial Intelligence as a global agent for inclusivity.
At TIA, we aim to become a premier global influencer in shaping an AI environment that prioritizes ethical conduct, accessibility, and universal benefits for all individuals and communities. Leveraging TIA’s services, organizations can guarantee an AI-neutral workplace and contribute to advancing a more inclusive and equitable society.
References
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European Commission. (2019). HIGH-LEVEL EXPERT GROUP ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. In aepd.es. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.aepd.es/sites/default/files/2019-12/ai-ethics-guidelines.pdf
Joamets, K., & Chochia, A. (2021). Access to Artificial Intelligence for Persons with Disabilities: Legal and Ethical Questions Concerning the Application of Trustworthy AI. Acta Baltica Historiae Et Philosophiae Scientiarum, 9(1), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.11590/abhps.2021.1.04
McCarthy, T., Rosenblum, L. P., Johnson, B. G., Dittel, J. S., & Kearns, D. M. (2016). An Artificial intelligence tutor: a supplementary tool for teaching and practicing braille. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 110(5), 309–322. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482×1611000503
Project Euphonia. (n.d.). https://sites.research.google/euphonia/about/
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