The power of AI to increase access to good jobs for all

Business Case for Accessible Transportation. For 30% of US employees, access to employment includes travel as a part of their work. Accessible airline travel is good business. It connects disabled employees to a global economic workforce, bolsters productivity, and increases efficiency. This month, we worked with The Society for Human Resources Management Foundation (SHRM Foundation) to publish a new report on accessible air travel, A World of Work that Works for All: Accessible Airline Travel for People with Disabilities. The report provides insights into the business case for air travel and recommendations for how organizations can create more inclusive travel policies.

Accessible formats with AI. The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), United Kingdom, developed an AI-based solution to streamline and scale its accessible document service to convert complex documents into accessible formats such as braille, large print, and audio. Azure AI and Azure Neural Voice enhance these formats with natural-sounding, conversational audio for a more engaging and accessible experience. "It's a fundamental right to get information in a format you can access," says Aidan Forman, Director of Technology and Digital Transformation at RNIB. "Accessible information is genuinely life-changing for blind and partially sighted people to fully participate in society."

Skilling to accelerate accessibility. The Assistive Technology Experience Centre by Access Tech Innovation in Lagos, Nigeria provides information, demos, and consultations on assistive technologies. The center has welcomed over 1000 visitors and partnered with local and international organizations to expand its reach. An AI for Accessibility grantee, the center has extended e-learning to more than 130 blind or low vision individuals in multiple countries.