Using AI to Improve Accessibility

Accessible communications enable disabled people to have information at the same time as everyone else. Yet for many disabled people, everyday information is still hard to access.

At Whaikaha, work is underway to strengthen how all‑of‑government information is provided in alternate formats — including audio, Braille, Easy Read, large print and NZSL — so disabled people can access information independently and with dignity. Alongside this, Whaikaha is exploring how emerging technologies might help.

In this session, you’ll hear how AI is being piloted to improve document accessibility and support kaimahi to create clearer, plain‑language information. The presentation will share the Whaikaha AI journey so far, take a closer look at the document accessibility pilot, and reflect on key lessons learned — including what’s shown promise, what’s been challenging, and what others might take forward in their own work.

Speaker:
Jasmine Lindsay (she/her/NZSL name) is the Manager of Operations and Delivery at Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. Jasmine’s team coordinates the provision of all‑of‑government information in alternate formats, enabling disabled people to independently access information.