Assistive technology has always been about one thing: independence.

From Braille and screen readers to speech recognition and mobility devices, technology has helped millions of people participate more fully in education, work, and everyday life. But a new transformation is now underway.

Artificial intelligence is changing what assistive technology can do.

AI systems can describe the world through a camera, convert speech into text in real time, help people write and communicate, and interpret complex information in ways that were impossible only a few years ago. These tools are already reshaping how people with disabilities interact with technology and with the world around them.

But powerful technology raises difficult questions.

Who designs these systems?

Whose needs are prioritized?

And what happens when accessibility is treated as an afterthought?

Drawing on almost two decades of experience working in assistive technology in higher education, Ronald G. Leblanc explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of accessibility — from practical tools already changing daily life to the ethical challenges that will shape the next generation of assistive technology.

Beyond Accommodation is a thoughtful exploration of the past, present, and future of assistive technology — and a guide to understanding how AI may redefine independence, access, and participation for millions of people.