For students with visual impairments, Gen AI can provide voice-based assistance through screen readers, delivering detailed explanations, summarizing course materials, and converting text into audio. It can also describe images, graphs, and diagrams, making visual content more accessible.

For students with hearing impairments, Gen AI can offer text-based communication and explanations that allow for clear, written responses to auditory-based content, such as lectures or discussions. 

In cases of dyslexia, Gen AI can assist with reading and writing tasks by helping to clarify complex instructions, correct grammar, or rephrase difficult-to-read texts into simpler language.
​
For all students, Gen AI offers a non-judgmental space where they can repeatedly ask questions, practice writing, or clarify difficult concepts. It can also help students break down complex assignments into manageable steps and suggest study schedules or techniques tailored to their needs.

​How text-based Gen AI can help

• Reading Assistance: Students with dyslexia can use ChatGPT to rephrase complex texts.
• Audio Descriptions: For visually impaired students, ChatGPT can describe images and graphs.
• Summarization: Helps students with concentration issues by summarizing long texts.
• Voice-to-Text: Converts spoken ideas into written form for students with motor impairments.
• Custom Study Guides: Tailors guides based on learning needs and disabilities.
• Simplifying Language: Rewrites academic jargon into simpler terms for better understanding.
• Assignment Breakdowns: Guides students through large projects by organizing tasks.
• Study Plan Creation: Suggests study routines tailored to students’ schedules and challenges.

• Interactive Quizzes: Tests knowledge in a conversational way, ideal for various learning styles.
• Grammar and Spell Check: Helps students with dyslexia polish their writing.
• Accessible Research: Assists students in researching materials without needing to navigate complicated academic databases.
• Real-Time Q&A: Provides quick clarification on difficult concepts when students are stuck.
• Alternative Explanations: Offers different ways of explaining a concept if the first explanation isn’t clear.
• Note-Taking Assistance: Helps transcribe or generate notes from key points in lectures or readings.
• Collaboration Tool: Facilitates communication for group projects, especially for students with speech or hearing impairments.

​15 prompts for students with functional disabilities

1. Reading Course Material:
"Can you summarize this [chapter/article] from my course into key points, focusing on the main arguments?"

2. Clarifying Concepts:
"I don't fully understand the concept of [insert topic]. Can you explain it in simpler terms with an example?"

3. Watching Video Lectures (for hearing impairments):
"I watched a video lecture on [insert topic], but I missed some of the audio. Can you summarize the key points based on my notes?"

4. Taking Notes from Textbooks:
"Can you create a concise set of notes from this [textbook chapter] with bullet points for the main ideas?"

5. Writing Assignments:
"I need help organizing my essay on [insert topic]. Can you help me create an outline for it?"

6. Checking Grammar and Style:
"Can you check this paragraph for grammar, spelling, and clarity, especially for someone with dyslexia?"

7. Rewriting Complex Text:
"This article is hard for me to read. Can you rephrase this passage to make it easier to understand?"

8. Studying for Exams:
"I have an exam on [insert subject]. Can you quiz me on the most important concepts from this unit?"

9. Research Assistance:
"Can you help me find three key arguments for [insert topic] that I can use in my paper?"

10. Simplifying Academic Jargon:
"Can you simplify this academic text? I’m struggling with the terminology."

11. Reviewing Lecture Notes:
"I have notes from a lecture on [insert topic]. Can you help me identify the most important points to focus on for revision?"

12. Breaking Down Assignments:
"I have a large project on [insert topic]. Can you help me break it down into smaller, more manageable steps?"

13. Watching Educational Videos (for concentration issues):
"Can you summarize the key points from this educational video on [insert topic] so I can focus on the important parts?"

14. Creating Flashcards:
"Can you create a list of questions and answers from my notes that I can use as flashcards to study for my exam?"

15. Writing Reflections:
"I need to write a reflection on the material I learned today. Can you help me organize my thoughts and ideas into a structured format?"