‘In February 2026, the second ‘AI and Accessibility Skills’ workshop was attended by participants from higher education, industry, policy, governance and research organisations. Three presentations followed opening remarks by Dr Howard Leicester; Prof. Hannah Morgan examined how AI and digital accessibility practices are shaping disability futures; Henny Swan explored how AI is transforming accessibility work and outlined fundamental shifts affecting skills; Dr Louise Hickman focused on AI-mediated BSL and the importance of d/Deaf-led community engagement in development and governance. Participants then addressed questions in structured discussions:
(1) Can we interrogate the futures that AI is already building: are they compatible with disabled life as it is actually lived?
(2) How do we address AI velocity, scale, accountability, the limits of compliance and regulation, and other issues?
(3) How do we mitigate AI risks and harms, develop future standards, ensure disability rights, and engage user expertise?’
AI Update 