Project supported in 2020-2022

Can AI assistents help students with disabilities?

Project Summary

The goal of this project was to explore the features and functions of AI-based virtual assistants and smartphone applications that can help postsecondary students with disabilities succeed in their academic work. To achieve this goal, we conducted extensive literature research and brought together stakeholders from various sectors by creating a 15-member advisory board. Based on this information, we created an accessible questionnaire on the use of AI-based virtual assistants and smartphone applications to obtain invaluable feedback from students.

Research Team

Project Leader

Catherine Fichten, Dr. Catherine Fichten, Dawson College and McGillUniversity (catherine.fichten@mcgill.ca)

Publications, presentations, resources

  • Adaptech Research Network. (2020, May). Canadian and international experts weigh in: An annotated list of AI-related resources for college and university students with and without disabilities. Montreal (DOCX)

  • Vo, C. (2021, January 28). Use of virtual assistants for schoolwork. Adaptech Research Network. (DOCX)

  • Martiniello, N., Asuncion, J., Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., Havel, A., Harvison, M., Legault, A., Lussier, A., & Vo, C. (2020). Artificial intelligence for students in postsecondary education: A world of opportunity. AI Matters, 6(3), 17-29 (PDF)

  • Fichten, C., & Vo, C. Coding Manual: What 237 Post-Secondary Students Said About Their Technologies for Schoolwork in 2019-2020. Adaptech Research Network. (XLSX)

  • Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., & Legault, A., in collaboration with Vo, C., Pickup, D., Martiniello, N., & Concordia’s CSLP Systematic Review Team. (2021, April 7). The intel on AI: Adaptech looks at post-secondary students with disabilities and artificial intelligence [Invited speakers]. CRISPESH Midi-Conférence, Montreal, QC, Canada (PPT EN, PPT FR)

  • Concordia’s CSLP Systematic Review Team. (2021). Systematic Review: How can virtual assistants and AI-based smartphone apps help post-secondary students with disabilities succeed in their studies (DOCX)

  • Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., Arcuri, R., Vo, C., Budd, J., Legault, A., & Havel, A. (2021, June 3). Are AI-based virtual assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant ready for college? [Virtual poster presentation]. 10th Annual SALTISE Conference, Montreal, QC, Canada. (PPT)

  • Fichten, C., & Jorgensen, M., in collaboration with Martiniello, N., & Vo, C. (2021, March 6-14). Are AI based apps smart enough for college students? [Conference presentation]. 36th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, Northridge, CA, United States. (PPT)

  • Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., Pickup, D., Schmid, R., & Libman, E. (2021, December 15). AI project objectives, goals, and accomplishments: How Can Virtual Assistants and AI-Based Smartphone Apps Help Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities Succeed in their Studies? [Invited speakers] Last meeting of the PIA community of practice “Training Projects,” Montreal, QC, Canada. (PPT)

  • Fichten, C., Pickup, D., Asuncion, J., Jorgensen, M., Vo, C., Legault, A., & Libman, E. (2021). Current state of the research on artificial intelligence based apps for post-secondary student with disabilities. Exceptionality Education International, 31(1), 62-76. (PDF)