Artificial Intelligence: Problems and Possibilities for People with Disabilities
Date and Time: Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Central Time
What: Accessible Technology Webinar Series
Host: Sponsored by the Great Lakes ADA Center and the ADA National Network (ADANN). For help, contact Great Lakes ADA Center: 1-877-232-1990 (Voice/TTY) or email webinars@adaconferences.org.
Description:
Everywhere we turn, people are talking about artificial intelligence (AI). It’s either going to save us or destroy us, or maybe it’s just going to allow our refrigerator to tell us what we can cook for dinner. Many of us don’t really know what AI is, and it can be hard to cut through the hyperbole. But at its core, AI is just another powerful technology, and we know from experience that new technologies can yield both positive and negative outcomes depending on how they are used. People with disabilities have used technology for centuries to offset inaccessible environments, tasks, and social systems. AI could be an amazing assistive technology for people with disabilities, but what are the tradeoffs? In this presentation, we’ll provide a brief explanation of generative AI, then discuss how people with disabilities are using it to address access issues and how AI is currently causing harm. We’ll end with some recommendations for future design of AI systems that benefit and support disabled communities.
Real-time captioning via Zoom and Stream Text will be available.
Individuals may submit questions for the speakers’ consideration in advance during the registration process.
Continuing Education Credit Available: Certificate of Attendance: 1.5 Credit hours; ADA Coordinator Certification: 1.5 Credit hours.
Speakers:
- Mark Harniss, Professor, University of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Jennifer Mankoff, Professor, University of Washington
English