AI & Accessibility
What AI can (and cannot) do for accessibility
· 5 min read · Johan Angel
AI tools can speed up accessibility work, but they don't replace human judgment, testing or qualified interpreters.
Artificial intelligence is changing how organizations approach digital accessibility. Tools can now draft image descriptions, generate captions and flag common issues in seconds. That's real progress, but it's only part of the picture.
Where AI helps
- Drafting alternative text for images, which a person then reviews
- Generating first-pass captions and transcripts for audio and video
- Detecting common technical issues, such as missing labels or low contrast
- Supporting multilingual communication and plain-language rewrites
Where people remain essential
Automated checkers detect only a portion of accessibility barriers. Whether a page actually makes sense with a screen reader, whether a form can be completed with a keyboard, or whether content is understandable, these require human review and, ideally, testing with people who use assistive technologies.
Automated sign language avatars are also not a substitute for qualified human interpreters. When sign language is needed, work with professionals.
A responsible approach
Use AI to accelerate the work, not to declare it finished. Start with an assessment, prioritize the barriers with the most impact, and build validation with real users into your process. Accessibility is an ongoing practice, not a one-time fix.