A Synergistic Alliance Between Accessibility and Artificial Intelligence

Jun 3, 2025

By Navya Agarwal, Senior Software Engineer, Accessibility Advocate, and W3C/ICC Member

I still remember the moment it all clicked. Years ago, while volunteering at a school for underprivileged youth, I watched a student struggle to navigate a digital worksheet on a clunky tablet. The issue wasn’t the student’s ability—it was the design of the software.That moment became a quiet turning point for me: a realization that accessibility isn’t a layer you add later. It’s a lens you wear from the very first design conversation—a commitment that should shape how we build, test, and ship.

Today, as a Senior Software Engineer at Adobe and an active member of both the W3C ARIA Working Group and the International Color Consortium (ICC), I’ve seen firsthand how accessibility and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of inclusive design.But this journey didn’t start with a degree or a title—it began with empathy, and a belief that technology should amplify possibility for everyone.

AI as an Enabler — If We Build It Right

We’re at a critical inflection point. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries at breakneck speed—and accessibility stands to be one of its most profound beneficiaries,When designed inclusively, AI can transform assistive technologies: think of visually impaired users navigating websites through real-time, AI-generated audio descriptions, or deaf users receiving instant, AI-translated captions in their preferred language during live events.

The promise is clear: AI can adapt digital experiences to individual needs. But there’s a caveat: bias in data leads to bias in outcomes—and people with disabilities are drastically underrepresented in most training datasets. If we don’t correct that now, we risk building systems that perpetuate or worsen exclusion.

Accessibility as a Competitive Edge — The ROI Is Real

Accessibility isn’t just a moral or legal imperative—it’s a business advantage. Inclusive design expands market reach, enhances user experience for all, and strengthens brand trust. Accessible products tap into an underserved market worth billions globally. They also perform better across the board: improved SEO, reduced user friction, and increased conversion rates.

Investing in accessibility also helps teams meet omnichannel goals and reduce long-term maintenance costs. It’s a win-win-win—for the user journey, business performance, and compliance risk mitigation. It helps future-proof your tech stack and ensures compliance with emerging regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA). It’s not just good ethics—it’s good business.

Inclusive Products Start with Inclusive Teams

To build systems that serve everyone, you need teams that reflect that diversity. That means hiring engineers familiar with assistive tech, designers who understand cognitive accessibility, and QA professionals who test beyond the "happy path."

By shifting accessibility left—embedding it from the earliest phases of product development—we prevent problems before they arise. This leads to better products, faster shipping cycles, and fewer costly retrofits. But it requires organizational commitment: leaders must prioritize accessibility education and invest in diverse, distributed talent.

The Opportunity Ahead

At a time when digital experiences shape everything from commerce to education, accessibility can’t be an afterthought. It’s a product advantage, a compliance necessity, and a gateway to more equitable innovation.The people building tomorrow’s AI systems are training them on today’s data—so the time to act is now.

Platforms like Torc are uniquely positioned to accelerate this transformation. By connecting companies with expert developers across the globe—including those with deep experience in AI and accessibility—Torc enables teams to build truly inclusive technology, faster.

For too long, accessibility has struggled to keep pace with innovation. But AI presents a rare opportunity to leap ahead. If we engage, influence, and build intentionally, we can shape a future where technology doesn’t just work for the majority—but for everyone.

About the author

Navya A is a visionary leader whose technical innovation and equity-first advocacy are reshaping how the world experiences the web. As a global accessibility speaker and senior engineer at Adobe, she is at the forefront of the movement for Digital Equality. Through her active involvement in the W3C and the International Color Consortium (ICC), she helps shape global accessibility standards that influence how inclusive design is implemented worldwide. Navya exemplifies the spirit of inclusive innovation, and her work stands out as a bold force driving meaningful change in how technology serves everyone.