Inside the Royal Society’s Focus on AI and Accessibility
A new report from the Royal Society sheds light on the urgent need for technology companies to address accessibility gaps as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into effect.
The study, published in June 2025, looks into how digital assistive technologies can support independent living for disabled people while warning companies of the challenges that await them as they look to comply with the new regulations.
The report says that, in today's society, disabled people face significant barriers in accessing technology, with smartphone ownership rates far lower amongst disabled demographics.
For the report, the Royal Society surveyed more than 800 disabled people based in the UK and found that 64% need digital technologies to access critical services.
Furthermore, over 50% of the respondents said they could not live their lives as they do without the assistance of such technologies.
Inside the EU requirements and AI's role
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), now applicable across all EU member states, sets mandatory requirements for making digital and physical products accessible to individuals with disabilities.
These include those with visual, hearing or mobility challenges.
As technology companies seek to comply with this act, emerging AI technologies present opportunities to innovate solutions that can help meet these standards.
The regulation covers various products and services such as websites, ATMs, mobile apps, banking services and transportation, each presenting unique challenges where AI can offer impactful solutions.
Companies must ensure they design accessible interfaces, provide options for sensory assistance and implement technologies that cater to broader demographics.
Industry executives acknowledge both the challenges and opportunities presented by this legislative push.
“The EAA isn't just about the 80 million EU citizens living with disabilities. It's about creating inclusive experiences for everyone,” says John Hayes, product marketing manager at Upland Software.
“Accessibility is global. It's good business – and it's the right thing to do.”
Bridging the gap with AI consultation
The Royal Society identifies a gap in the current accessibility expertise within the tech industry, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for AI-driven solutions to bridge it.
Proactively involving individuals with disabilities in the development of AI technologies is essential, as the report suggests, moving them from an afterthought to integral partners in innovation strategies.
“We shouldn’t be developing assistive technologies or policies without disabled people being front and centre of the process,” says Dr Hamied Haroon, member of the Royal Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s Disabled Scientists Subgroup.
Such engagement holds promise, coupled with potential job opportunities across Europe for accessibility specialists.
“I believe this will create fantastic job opportunities for accessibility specialists all over Europe,” explains Hasan Tayem, brand ambassador at NaviLens.
“Even more importantly, it's a chance for people with disabilities to step into these roles themselves.”
Recommendations from the report encourage buying into AI and data analytics not only to innovate but also to ensure services meet accessibility requirements:
- Collect more (and better) data on disabled demographics
- Recognise smartphones as assistive technologies
- Ensure disabled people are involved in the design of products and services
- Make assistive technologies more affordable
- Safeguard against digital exclusion
Overcoming barriers with AI
One of the core barriers to digital inclusion, as highlighted by the Royal Society, is the affordability of assistive technologies. AI can help create cost-effective solutions that make these technologies accessible.
With disabled households in the UK facing an average additional monthly cost of £1,000 (US$1,358) to maintain the same living standards as non-disabled households, more awareness and availability of digital assistive solutions could change this narrative.
58% of those who currently do not use digital assistive technologies indicated they would be more likely to engage with them if they were aware of their existence and benefits.
Adopting inclusive AI strategies aligned with the EAA sets a new benchmark. The UK and EU are poised to lead by example, transitioning from present gaps to inclusive futures.
“The UK and EU can lead the way but only if we act now,” says Tim Scannell, British Sign Language teacher at BSL First.
