AI in Higher Ed: Expanding Access or Creating New Barriers?

Higher education is currently at a critical juncture regarding the use of AI. While AI presents promising opportunities to enhance student success and create more accessible learning experiences, it also raises important questions about authenticity and assessment methods. In response, some educators are calling for a return to in-person exams and traditional blue book assessments. However, this shift raises significant considerations: What impact does this have on accessibility, and are there enough campus resources to support this change? 

Join an insightful discussion on the dual impact of AI on accessibility, exploring both the opportunities it presents and the challenges it poses.

Key takeaways:

• Better understand the challenges of meeting accessibility during in-person exams
• Real-world examples of how the University of Central Florida is championing new accessibility initiatives
• Tips to leverage AI tools, extensions and plugins to support inclusive learning environments
• How online proctoring supports accessible assessment environments

Additional resources:

• 2025 Survey of College and University Chief Academic Officers (Inside Higher Ed)
• “The Handwriting Revolution” (Inside Higher Ed)
• The Universal Design Online Content Inspection Tool (UDOIT) (The Center for Distributed Learning at the University of Central Florida)
• Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Evaluator (The Center for Distributed Learning at the University of Central Florida)
• “Creating Accessible Online Learning Experiences” (Honorlock)
• Where AI Meets Accessibility: Considerations for Higher Education (Every Learner Everywhere)
• “Digital accessibility in the era of artificial intelligence—Bibliometric analysis and systematic review” (NLM)
• The Future of AI and Web Accessibility (ADA Site Compliance)
• In Pursuit of Inclusive AI (Microsoft)