Artificial intelligence is changing the way the world operates. Technology now affects education, healthcare, employment, and how people interact with society. For persons with disabilities, innovation offers both life-changing opportunities and serious risks. Policymakers, developers, and the private sector must ensure no one is left behind in this transformation.
The Scope of Disability Worldwide
Disability affects a significant portion of the global population. Data from the World Health Organization shows that 1.3 billion people experience substantial disability. That accounts for about 16% of the world’s population. Among them are nearly 240 million children. In the European Union alone, 101 million people over the age of 16 had some form of disability in 2023. This represented 27% of the EU population in that age group. Data also indicated that women with disabilities outnumbered men in all EU member states.
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Assistive technologies play a critical role in improving quality of life. However, access remains limited. In 2022, the World Health Organization and UNICEF reported that more than 2.5 billion people needed at least one assistive product. This includes wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication-support apps. Yet, nearly one billion people—especially in low- and middle-income countries—still do not have access to these tools.
How Innovation and AI Can Drive Inclusion
Experts believe technology can reduce barriers for people with disabilities. Innovation has the power to promote inclusion through better access to information, education, and jobs. AI-enabled systems can tailor experiences to meet individual needs and expand opportunities for independent living.
Gerard Quinn, former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, addressed these possibilities in his report on AI and disability rights. He explained that AI can improve assistive technologies in ways that enhance mobility and accessibility. For example, AI can help identify accessible routes in public spaces. This enables people with physical disabilities to navigate cities more independently.
AI is also making communication more accessible. Tools like eye-tracking software, voice recognition programs, and speech-to-text applications are helping persons with disabilities interact more easily. Automatically generated captions and image descriptions help users access digital content. Sign language avatars make more platforms accessible for people who are deaf. AI-driven prosthetic limbs and mental health support tools are further examples of how innovation is changing lives.
Why AI Also Poses Risks for Disability Inclusion
Despite these advancements, AI introduces serious challenges. Gerard Quinn’s report warned that AI can create new barriers for persons with disabilities, especially when used by governments or large organizations. Automated decision-making systems may become central in processes like hiring or accessing services. This raises the risk of discrimination if AI tools are not designed inclusively.
Bias in algorithms can exclude candidates during recruitment processes. AI may misinterpret different communication styles or body language. For example, people with autism often express themselves differently. AI systems may draw incorrect conclusions from these differences, leading to unfair treatment. Facial recognition technologies may also misinterpret the features of persons with facial disfigurements, further compounding bias.
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Chatbots present another challenge. Many are inaccessible to users who rely on screen readers. This limits access to services and creates frustration for persons with disabilities. AI tools often lack the flexibility to handle human diversity because they depend on pre-programmed behavior patterns. As a result, algorithms frequently operate based on statistical averages. People who fall outside these norms—including many persons with disabilities—can face exclusion.
The Problem of Algorithmic Transparency
Another risk lies in the lack of transparency behind AI systems. Discriminatory decisions made by algorithms are often difficult to detect. Developers usually do not include persons with disabilities in testing phases. This means systems are rarely evaluated for accessibility before they are deployed.
The Belgian Equality Body UNIA has pointed out that AI can reinforce intersectional risks. Some AI tools make decisions based on a combination of protected characteristics like gender, race, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and disability. This combination can make people even more vulnerable to discrimination. AI systems typically do not explain which characteristics influenced a decision, adding to the problem of opacity.
The Role of Regulations in Protecting Disability Rights
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities asks the states to avoid discrimination even in such spheres as technology. The fact that this is a legal requirement implies that governments will be forced to control the development of AI in the private sector in the interest of human rights.
UN Secretary-General Ant23 This is a committee that makes suggestions on international governance of AI. The aim is to ensure that AI development is in line with human rights and that all people reach equity, including persons with disabilities.
During the Summit of the Future in September 2024, the rest of the world made a significant step. World leaders endorsed the Pact of the Future, which consists of a Global Digital Compact. The goal of this agreement is to establish a facilitating environment in which human rights are respectful, secure, and fostered with the help of the digital environment. It particularly refers to the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Significant regulatory progress has also occurred at the European level. The European Artificial Intelligence Act, known as the AI Act, became law on August 1, 2024. Most of its rules will begin applying in August 2026. The AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive regulation of artificial intelligence. It ensures the responsible development and deployment of AI across the European Union.
The law is especially applicable to disabled persons. It aims at avoidance of discrimination, unfair treatment and violation of privacy. Being a signatory to UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the EU has legal responsibility to safeguard persons with disabilities within the digital spaces. The AI Act support that accountability through encouraging safer and more equitable AI systems.
Building a More Inclusive AI Future
The current UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Heba Hagrass, outlined the urgency of accessible innovation. She observed that initially, computers and the internet proved to be an unintentional blockade to disabled people. These issues were resolved in over ten years. Hagrass says that one cannot succeed in repeating the same mistakes with AI.
She stressed the importance of convincing tech developers to prioritize accessibility from the start. Waiting until after products launch to fix accessibility issues disadvantages people with disabilities.
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Experts agree that inclusive design must be part of AI development. This means involving persons with disabilities throughout the process—from concept to deployment. Developers should assess how AI systems affect people with a wide range of needs. An intersectional approach is also necessary. People with disabilities may belong to other marginalized groups, increasing their risk of exclusion.
FAQs
How many people globally live with a disability?
According to the World Health Organization, about 1.3 billion people—roughly 16% of the global population—experience significant disabilities. This includes nearly 240 million children.
How can artificial intelligence help persons with disabilities?
AI can improve accessibility by enhancing assistive technologies. Examples include speech-to-text software, eye-tracking communication tools, AI-powered prosthetics, and route navigation systems that help identify accessible paths.
What are the risks of AI for persons with disabilities?
AI systems may reinforce bias and create new barriers. Algorithms often fail to recognize diverse communication styles or physical differences, leading to potential discrimination in hiring, services, and daily interactions.
What regulations exist to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in AI development?
The United Nations and the European Union have introduced guidelines and laws, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the European AI Act, to ensure AI is developed in ways that prevent discrimination and promote inclusion.
Why is inclusive AI development important?
Inclusive AI ensures that persons with disabilities are not left behind as technology advances. Involving people with disabilities in AI design helps create systems that reflect real-world diversity and prevent unintended harm.
