THE CASE: AI That Excludes
Priya's company deployed an AI-powered knowledge search tool. Great for most employees. But employees with visual impairments? Not screen-reader compatible. They're locked out of the knowledge base everyone else uses.
15% of population has disabilities, yet 85% of AI tools lack accessibility (Stanford). When AI ignores accessibility, you're excluding people—and potentially violating ADA/WCAG compliance. Lawsuits can cost ₹50L-1Cr per case.
The Evidence
15% have disabilities (WHO)
85% of AI tools lack accessibility (Stanford)
Inclusive design: 30% larger talent pool (Accenture)
AI Accessibility Checklist
For Every AI Tool, Ask:
- Screen reader compatible?
- Keyboard navigation supported?
- Accommodates visual, auditory, motor, cognitive disabilities?
- WCAG 2.1 compliant?
The Experiment
Include disability advocates in next AI pilot testing. Document accessibility findings and remediation needs.
Sources
- Stanford. AI Accessibility Study. 2023.
- Accenture. Inclusive Design and ROI. 2023.
Key Takeaways
- 85% of AI tools lack accessibility features
- Inaccessible AI excludes 15% of the population
- Include accessibility requirements in AI procurement