Title: How are Disability Services teams using AI to support students in higher education? | Genio URL Source: https://genio.co/blog/how-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education Published Time: 2026-07-31T09:41:00.000Z Markdown Content: [Skip to main menu](https://genio.co/blog/how-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education#main-menu)[Skip to footer](https://genio.co/blog/how-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education#footer) * [Sign in](https://app.genio.co/account/sign-in) * [Get started for free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free) * [Activate a licence](https://app.genio.co/notes/activate)(opens in a new tab) [](https://genio.co/) * For Institutions * For Students * For Assessors * Resources * About Genio [Watch a demo](https://genio.co/watch-demo) [Genio for Accommodations](https://genio.co/institutions/accommodations)Genio for Accommodations ![Image 1: Resellers 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[Blogs](https://genio.co/blog) 2. [Disability Services](https://genio.co/blog/tag/disability-services) # How are Disability Services teams using AI to support students in higher education? AI is moving faster than most higher education institutions can keep up with, and Disability Services teams are navigating that pressure every day. In a recent Genio panel, Disability professionals Scott McAfee, Rosie Ewert, and Hanna Lewis shared where AI is helping accessibility work and what role Disability Services teams should play in shaping institutional AI policy. ![Image 71: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) 4 min read ![Image 72: Calendar](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/calender.svg)Published: 31 Jul 2026 ![Image 73: Author](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/author.svg)Arpita Utham ![Image 74: How are Disability Services teams using AI to support students in higher education?](https://genio.co/hubfs/TECH%20BLOG_engineering%20principles%20THUMB.png) ![Image 75: To do list, robot and cube being dismantled](https://genio.co/hubfs/TECH%20BLOG_engineering%20principles%20HERO.png) **Key takeaways:** * **AI is transforming day-to-day disability services work:** From speeding up alternative media production to automating meeting summaries, teams are finding immediate time savings that free up space for higher-value work. * **The biggest barrier is the absence of policy:** Inconsistent approaches within a single campus are leaving students and staff in a grey area that can have serious consequences for academic outcomes. * **AI literacy is uneven across campus:** Students using tools they do not fully understand, and faculty assuming content is accessible without verifying it, are two sides of the same problem. * **Disability Services teams must be at the AI policy table:** Without a disability perspective in those conversations, tools get deployed without accounting for the students who need them most. * **AI done right builds access and independence:** When students know how to use AI as a tool rather than a substitute for thinking, it removes barriers without creating new ones. * * * AI is moving faster than most higher education institutions can keep up with. For Disability Services teams, that means balancing accommodation requests, accessible content, and helping students use AI to support learning In a recent [Genio webinar](https://genio.co/webinars/navigating-ai-in-higher-education-2026-live-panel), we were joined by three disability services professionals to talk through what is actually happening with AI adoption and disability services teams in higher education. **Scott McAfee**, Access Coordinator at College of the Canyons, **Rosie Ewert**, Tutorial Coordinator and Learning Specialist at Louisiana State University, and **Hanna Lewis**, Director of Student Disability Services at University of Denver, shared how they are using AI day to day, where institutional policy is falling short, and what disability professionals need to do to make sure their students are not left behind. ## How is AI being used effectively in Disability Services work day to day? Across the panel, three areas stood out where AI is making an immediate difference: * **Alternative media production:** Image descriptions, bulk PDF conversion, and making complex visual content accessible for students who are blind or have low vision are now significantly faster. Work that previously required back-and-forth between student, coordinator, and instructor can often be resolved by the student independently with the right prompting skills. * **Administrative automation:** A significant portion of repetitive front-end work can now be automated, freeing disability professionals to focus on the support that requires genuine human judgment, such as one-to-one student meetings and case management. * **Institutional applications:** At the University of Denver, AI is being explored for captioning, alt-text, file remediation, and a student support agent that connects students with the right resources around the clock. One emerging category is multimodal study resource tools that can turn a single source document into flashcards, infographics, or podcast audio. The University of Denver uses [Genio Notes](https://genio.co/notes) with students, faculty, and staff to capture meeting summaries and keep communication clear after student conversations. _"Genio Notes has been a huge support for both students, faculty, and staff, just to keep on top of things, be able to send summaries after conversations with students. It can be really helpful to just facilitate relationships." - Hanna Lewis, Director of Student Disability Services, University of Denver_ ## Are AI tools closing the gap for students or opening new ones? Depending on how they are used and who is using them, AI is closing a few gaps but also widening some new gaps for students. AI is opening up independence for students who previously depended on staff intermediaries to describe images, produce alt text, or translate technical content into accessible formats. The panel raised three specific gaps worth naming: * **Accessibility of AI tools themselves:** Not every AI tool is built with accessibility in mind. Disability services teams need to be requesting VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) before deploying any new tool. * **Equity and cost:** Students who can afford premium AI subscriptions have access to significantly more powerful tools than those on free tiers. * **The risk of over-reliance:** There is a fine line between enabling access and fostering dependency. A tool meant to provide agency can end up limiting a student's ability to master material independently. _"You really have to have the foundation of critical thinking and curiosity first so that you can really wield that tool before it ends up wielding you."_ _- Rosie Ewert, Tutorial Coordinator and Learning Specialist, LSU Academic Center for Student Athletes_ ## What are the biggest ethical questions Disability Services teams are facing? The most pressing ethical questions for Disability Services teams sit at the intersection of accommodation and academic freedom. Students are already requesting AI as an accommodation, even in courses where instructors have not permitted it. Without an overarching institutional policy, teams are navigating these situations case by case, working through interactive processes with individual faculty to determine what is appropriate within each course, major, and college. _"We are building the ship as it's sailing." - Hanna Lewis, Director of Student Disability Services, University of Denver_ Even when the legal case for an accommodation is clear, academic freedom can override it in practice. Proving a student is in the right takes time, and that timeline rarely works in the student's favor. The practical response many teams are adopting is to seek written guidance from instructors whenever AI sits in a grey area, so accountability sits where it belongs if a dispute arises. Part of the challenge is also helping faculty understand how wide the AI umbrella actually is. Blanket AI bans are often applied without that context, which creates barriers that were never intended. [**_Download Genio's free AI policy template_**](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights/ai-policy-template)**_to help your institution build a foundation before the semester begins._** ## What role should disability professionals play in shaping institutional AI policy? Disability professionals need to be in the room when AI decisions are being made. Not as observers, but as active voices in campus governance around the creation, adoption, and deployment of new tools. When those voices are absent, the assumption becomes that there are no problems. Products get built and deployed without accounting for the students who need them most, and the accessibility gaps only surface after the fact. _"We must be a voice in these decisions, if nothing else, to remind the decision makers that there is a population of students that may need these tools for basic access to content. We have to be there constantly cheerleading this and making sure we are considered and included." - Scott McAfee, Access Coordinator, College of the Canyons_ Getting a seat at that table often comes down to relationships built long before any AI decision lands on an agenda. The most effective Disability professionals are building networks across student affairs, IT, and academic departments . ## How does Genio Notes support disability services teams navigating AI? For Disability Services teams working out how to approach AI responsibly, [Genio Notes](https://genio.co/notes) is built to support independent learning rather than replace it. It gives disability professionals the transparency they need to introduce it with confidence. The University of Denver uses Genio Notes for students, faculty, and staff to stay on top of information, capture meeting summaries, and share notes after conversations with students and families. That practical utility, combined with [WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA compliance](https://genio.co/blog/genio-notes-and-genio-present-full-wcag-2.1-2.2-level-aa-compliance) and a commitment to never using student data to train AI models, means teams can answer every accountability question a faculty member or administrator might raise. * * * AI is not slowing down, and the institutions that will support students best are the ones that put accessibility at the center of AI adoption from the start. That means evaluating accessibility before new tools are introduced, asking for VPATs, teaching students to use AI as a learning companion rather than a replacement for independent thinking, and creating clear AI policies that give both faculty and students confidence. Most importantly, it means ensuring Disability Services has a seat at the table whenever decisions about educational technology are made. **_Want to see how disability services teams across higher education are using Genio Notes to support students and build institutional confidence in AI?_** [Book a free demo today](https://genio.co/watch-demo) ## Share this blog Facebook [![Image 76](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Fhow-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) LinkedIn [![Image 77](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/linkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Fhow-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) Twitter [![Image 78](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Fhow-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) Email [![Image 79](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/email.svg)](mailto:?subject=How+are+Disability+Services+teams+using+AI+to+support+students+in+higher+education%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Fhow-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) Copy [![Image 80](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/copy_link.svg)](https://genio.co/blog/how-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education) ![Image 81: Time for a simpler, smarter note taking accommodation?](https://genio.co/hubfs/cta_image.svg) ## **Time for a simpler, smarter note taking accommodation?** Genio Notes is the online note taking tool that makes compliance simple, reduces cost and admin burden, and improves student outcomes. [![Image 82: Learn More](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/24880982/edb6c600-e949-4a2c-983d-c7e2ecf6eec5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/24880982/edb6c600-e949-4a2c-983d-c7e2ecf6eec5) ## More from **Disability Services** [View All](https://genio.co/blog/tag/disability-services) [![Image 83: What are the emerging trends shaping student accessibility services in 2026?](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG_uni%20survival%20tips%20THUMB.png?width=450&name=BLOG_uni%20survival%20tips%20THUMB.png) ![Image 84: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) 5 min read ### What are the emerging trends shaping student accessibility services in 2026? Accessibility technology is moving faster than most institutions can keep up with. In our recent webinar with Bianca Hernandez, Alternative Media Technology Specialist at Las Positas College, we explored the biggest trends reshaping student accessibility services in 2026.](https://genio.co/blog/what-are-the-emerging-trends-shaping-student-accessibility-services-in-2026)[![Image 85: How can Disability Services teams navigate AI in higher education?](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG_quiz%20me%20enhancements%20THUMB.png?width=450&name=BLOG_quiz%20me%20enhancements%20THUMB.png) ![Image 86: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) 4 min read ### How can Disability Services teams navigate AI in higher education? AI is changing the landscape of disability support in higher education. We spoke to Tashania Garner, Director of the Office of Student Wellbeing and Support at College of Coastal Georgia, to explore how she approaches AI as an accessibility tool, develops practical AI policies, and works with faculty to encourage responsible adoption.](https://genio.co/blog/how-can-disability-services-teams-navigate-ai-in-higher-education)[![Image 87: How streamlined accommodations can improve student outcomes and reduce admin time for accessibility teams](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG_confidence%20academic%20performance%20THUMB.png?width=450&name=BLOG_confidence%20academic%20performance%20THUMB.png) ![Image 88: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) 5 min read ### How streamlined accommodations can improve student outcomes and reduce admin time for accessibility teams Read more about the insights from the 2026 Genio Learner Impact Report and how Genio Notes is supporting students across higher education, reducing admin time for accessibility teams, and helping institutions do more with less.](https://genio.co/blog/how-streamlined-accommodations-can-improve-student-outcomes) [View All](https://genio.co/blog/tag/disability-services) [Genio logo - home](https://genio.co/) * Products * [Genio Notes](https://genio.co/notes) * [Genio Notes app](https://genio.co/notes/notes-mobile) * [The Confident Notetaker's Masterclass](https://genio.co/the-confident-notetakers-masterclass) * [Genio Present](https://genio.co/present) * [Genio Admin](https://genio.co/notes/genio-admin) * Pricing and plans * [For institutions](https://genio.co/pricing/institutions) * [Institution Wide package](https://genio.co/pricing/institution-wide) * [Individual user quote](https://cc.genio.co/genio-individual-user-quote-request) * [ROI calculator](https://genio.co/resources/roi-calculator) * [For individuals](https://genio.co/pricing/individuals) * [Get Genio Notes for free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free) * Why choose Genio * [Genio for institutions](https://genio.co/solutions/institutions) * [Genio for students](https://genio.co/solutions/students) * [Recommend Genio](https://genio.co/resources/assessors-toolkit) * Resources * [Blog](https://genio.co/blog) * [Events and webinars](https://genio.co/resources/events-and-webinars) * [Case studies and user stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories) * [Product and feature guides](https://genio.co/resources/product-and-feature-guides) * [Research and insights](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights) * [Sign in](https://app.genio.co/account/sign-in) * About us * [About us](https://genio.co/about) * [Careers](https://genio.co/about/careers) * [Our Brand Story](https://genio.co/about/our-brand-story) * [Our history](https://genio.co/about/our-history) * [Research Accreditation Hub](https://genio.co/about/research-accreditation-hub) * [Media Kit](https://genio.co/about/media-kit) * Contact and support * [Get in touch](https://genio.co/contact) * [Help centre](https://help.genio.co/)Opens in a new tab * [Device compatibility](https://genio.co/specification) * [Service status](https://status.genio.co/)Opens in a new tab * [Visit us on our social](https://www.facebook.com/GenioLearn) * [Visit us on our social](https://www.instagram.com/geniolearn) * [Visit us on our social](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/geniolearn) * [Visit us on our social](https://www.youtube.com/@geniotools) * [Visit us on our social](https://www.tiktok.com/@geniolearn) * [![Image 89: Icon](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/website/vectors/Google_Play_Store_badge_EN.png?width=120&name=Google_Play_Store_badge_EN.png)Download app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.genio.notes) * [![Image 90: Icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917.svg)Download app](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/genio-notes/id6758772863) * [Privacy Notice](https://genio.co/privacy-notice) * [Service Agreement](https://genio.co/service-agreement) * [Accessibility Statement](https://genio.co/accessibility-statement) * [Data Security](https://genio.co/security) * [Third Party Licenses](https://genio.co/third-party-code-licenses) * [Cookie Preferences](https://genio.co/cookies) [](https://genio.co/blog/how-are-disability-services-teams-using-ai-to-support-students-in-higher-education)