AI is game change for students with disabilities

Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms, especially for students with disabilities, opening pathways to accessibility and inclusion never before possible. For The Right Path Education Consulting Inc., this development reflects an essential shift in education, where technology not only enhances learning but levels the playing field.​

AI’s Empowering Role in Accessibility

Students like 14-year-old Makenzie Gilkison, whose dyslexia once left her feeling “dumb,” now use AI-driven word prediction apps, text-to-speech software, and personalized chatbots to keep up with peers. Across the nation, schools are integrating similar tools for students with visual, auditory, language, and speech impairments. The U.S. Department of Education is supporting these changes by urging schools to supply adaptive technology and ensure accessibility across digital platforms.​

Balancing Innovation with Intentional Learning

Still, schools are mindful that while AI assists in organizing ideas or simplifying complex reading, it should complement, rather than replace, authentic skill development. Educational experts emphasize that if a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) aims to strengthen reading skills, technology must support rather than complete that process. As one learning specialist put it, AI isn’t “cheating” when it helps students express ideas more clearly—it’s “meeting them where they are.”​

The Future of Inclusive Education

From text readers that sound natural to adaptive tutoring avatars in Iowa’s schools, AI is driving a more equitable educational ecosystem. Institutions like the University at Buffalo’s National AI Institute for Exceptional Education are developing tools to better interpret children’s speech and handwriting, further expanding opportunity. For educators and administrators, this innovation calls for thoughtful adoption, ensuring every learner, regardless of ability, has access to tools that unlock their full potential.​

To read the full article: AI is a game-changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness it.