The Evolution of Assistive Technology in the AI-Era | February 2025
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking up the world of assistive technology, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and reimagining tools that once relied on human effort. It’s not just a trend — it’s a game-changer for accessibility!
In this episode, hosts Mark Miller, David Sloan, are joined by our special guest Ryan Jones from Freedom Scientific — creators of JAWS, the leading screen reader — as they explore the evolution of assistive technology, recent AI advancements, and the impact on accessibility standards and best practices in accessible design, development, and testing.
Next month, we’ll be coming to you live from Anaheim and the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference on March 13, 2025, at 1:30 PM EST! *Note the time change
Related Resources
JAWS Inspect and FSCompanion
As Ryan mentioned, a new addition to the JAWS screen reader family of testing tools is FSCompanion, an AI-powered assistant that helps both JAWS users and accessibility testers by providing real-time guidance and step-by-step instructions. Learn more about FSCompanion in the December 2024 JAWS Inspect update.
PictureSmart AI
PictureSmart AI is a groundbreaking feature integrated into JAWS screen readers, designed to provide detailed descriptions of images for users who are blind or have low vision. This empowers users to independently access and understand graphical information encountered in digital content. Ryan provides more in-depth information about using PictureSmart AI in this Freedom Scientific blog post.
Get a demo of PictureSmart AI in FSCast 242 on demand.
What AI Can Do For (and to) Existing Web Accessibility Tools
In this KnowledgeBase article, TPGi expert Ricky Onsman explores how AI can enhance accessibility but warns against over-reliance on solutions like overlays that may introduce new barriers. Read the full article to learn how to harness AI’s potential without compromising accessibility.
Putting AI to the (Accessibility) Test
In “Putting AI to the (Accessibility) Test,” TPGi’s Tj Squires explores how generative AI can enhance accessibility testing, especially for blind professionals. Squires shares personal experiences integrating AI tools like JAWS PictureSmart into workflows, highlighting how these technologies can analyze screenshots and reduce dependence on sighted assistance. Explore the article to understand privacy concerns and AI inaccuracies, offering strategies to navigate these issues effectively.
Want to meet Mark, David, Ryan, and Tj in person? Then join them at CSUN, you can attend their expert sessions and get real-time answers to your most pressing questions.