Project supported in 2020-2022

Can AI assistents help students with disabilities?

Project Summary

The interdisciplinary team will examine how the functions of AI-powered smartphone virtual assistants (Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby, etc.) and applications (Seeing AI, Office Lens, Microsoft Translator, etc.) can support the academic success of postsecondary students with disabilities: visual, hearing or speech impediments, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, or other mental or physical disabilities. After selecting the most useful assistants and applications, the team will develop tools designed to train students, facilitators, accessibility practitioners and educational technologists in their use.

Research Team

Project Leader

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