Executive Summary
In partnership with Jisc, the University of Southampton is hosting a series of collaborative workshops on AI and Accessibility Skills during 2025-2027. These workshops bring together accessibility leaders, educators, researchers and practitioners from higher education, industry, policy, governance and research-intensive organisations across the UK to examine the evolving relationship between AI and accessibility professional practice.
AI-enabled tools promise scalable solutions for digital accessibility workflows including design, coding, captioning and testing. However, as UK and international regulations evolve and digital populations diversify, professionals require robust accessibility skills to ensure digital products are inclusive by default. This report documents the first workshop in a collaborative series examining the impact of AI on accessibility practice and professional development. Held in partnership between the University of Southampton and Jisc the workshop brought together 40 accessibility leaders, educators, researchers and practitioners to address critical questions about the future of accessibility work in an AI integrated landscape.
Key recommendations for policy and practice include:
- Human-centred AI: Embed accessibility throughout design processes to ensure AI complements rather than displaces human interactions in accessibility work.
- Shared practice and collaboration: Move from siloed institutional projects toward coordinated, transparent efforts across organisations and sectors.
- User-centred co-design: Involve disabled and Deaf communities directly in co-design, development and policy making processes.
- Regulatory frameworks and standards: Establish robust regulatory environments for ethical and responsible AI use in accessibility contexts.
- Professional AI competencies: Develop capabilities for critical evaluation of AI mediated accessibility work, including technical skills and ethical assessment capacity.
Authors:
Dr Sarah Lewthwaite, Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Research in Inclusion, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, UK.
Dr Andy Coverdale, Research Fellow, Centre for Research in Inclusion, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, UK.
