The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has issued guidance on using generative AI to assist people with disabilities in state governments. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI in addressing digital accessibility challenges, NASCIO emphasizes the need for caution due to inherent limitations and risks.
The paper highlights four key recommendations for state leaders:
- Involve all stakeholders, including those with disabilities, when procuring AI tools
- Develop datasets that represent people with disabilities
- Maintain transparency by questioning vendors and reporting bugs
- Recognize AI’s limitations, particularly in producing polished output
NASCIO advises using generative AI as a “first-draft” tool only, given its current shortcomings. Despite these limitations, the paper notes promising applications of AI in supporting people with disabilities, such as aiding communication for individuals with autism and improving accessibility of data visualizations.
This guidance is particularly relevant as the U.S. workforce sees an increase in the proportion of people with disabilities. By addressing the challenges and opportunities of AI in disability empowerment, state governments can work towards more inclusive and accessible digital services while navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology and regulations.
