Episode
AI + Accessibility: Cognitive Load, Em-Dashes, and Other Hidden Barriers
- Podcast
- The What And Who Of EDU
- Published
- Feb 11, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2032
- Processing state
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Summary
Can AI make learning more accessible … or is it just adding new barriers? In this debut episode of The What & Who of EDU's AI+ series, we sit down with Rachel Comerford, Senior Director of Accessibility at Macmillan Learning, to talk about what AI is getting wrong (and right) when it comes to accessibility. From the myth of the "fully accessible" AI tool to why Universal Design for Learning is more than a checklist, Rachel offers practical, honest, and human-centered advice for instructors navigating this new landscape. Whether you're AI-curious or still AI-cautious, this episode is packed with ways to use technology more intentionally, and with all learners in mind. Brought to you by Macmillan Learning Episode Breakdown + Timestamps 1:20 Welcome to the AI+ Series : Meet our guest and kick off our first AI+ conversation. 2:46 What Educators Can Get Wrong About AI and Accessibility : (Hint) It's not about screen readers alone. 5:15 Vetting AI Without Being an Expert : The questions instructors can ask, even without deep technical knowledge. 7:50 UDL as Mindset, Not Mandate : Why designing for flexibility supports every learner, not just some. 10:50 Students Are Already Using AI. Are We Helping Them Use It Well? What instructors should know about student AI habits (and how to respond). 014:28 AI vs traditional tools. What are the benefits and challenges for students? 15:53 What to Fix About AI Tools. Why instructors should start small, and what to look out for. 20:07 How to Start Small with Accessible AI. Low-risk, behind-the-scenes ways to test AI in your own practice. 24:42 AI Isn't Perfect. So Now What? Rachel's candid take on the next wave of tools, code, and compliance. 29:45 AI Won't Replace the Human Layer . Rachel's reminder that AI is a support, not a solution,…