Top ten game-changing steps to embrace accessible Gen AI at the workplace

Ensuring accessibility in Gen AI is essential to creating inclusive digital experiences for all users. To build Gen AI applications designed to work well for the full spectrum of human diversity, we must consider the technical requirements to include people with disabilities.

So how do you get started making your AI applications inclusive and what does this include?

Ten steps to boosting your Gen AI applications’ accessibility

Here are ten actionable steps to enhance the accessibility of your Gen AI applications. Remember that no cookie-cutter approach may work, so adapt these according to your organizational requirements and constantly-changing regulatory mandates.

1. Source inclusively: Train against bias.

Ensure your AI models are trained using data that reflects inclusive and respectful language around disability. If your organization doesn't have its own disability-inclusive language policy yet, draw inspiration from global guidelines such as the following:

• UN Geneva’s Disability Inclusive Language Guidelines
• IPC Guide to Para and IPC Terminology
• Oxfam Inclusive Language Guide
• Regional examples:
  • People with Disabilities Australia Language Guide
  • Sensibler Sprachgebrauch (Austria)
  • Amnesty International Switzerland's Leitfaden zur inklusiven Sprache
  • Guía de lenguaje inclusivo – University of Salamanca (Spain)

2. Include accessibility and anti-discrimination policies in training.

Integrate relevant global, regional, and organizational accessibility standards and anti-discrimination laws into your AI training data. This helps Gen AI systems reflect both legal compliance and ethical responsibility.

3. Ensure full keyboard navigation.

Design your Gen AI application to be fully functional using keyboard navigation. This is crucial for users who don’t use a mouse, including screen reader users. Build in at least two modes of interaction: if the content can be seen, users should also be able to hear or touch it like assistive technologies such as braille displays.

4. Use descriptive titles.

Label all page regions, conversations, and applications sections with descriptive titles clearly. This improves navigation and context especially for users who rely on assistive technologies or switch between multiple open tabs.

5. Maintain a logical reading order.

Ensure your content is presented in a logical and predictable order that aligns with its visual order. This helps screen readers and keyboard users navigate the content effectively and comfortably.

6. Tag and label interactive elements properly.

All interactive elements, such as buttons and links should be labeled clearly with specific, action-oriented text and must be properly tagged with accessible markup. Avoid generic instructions like “click here, and use instead “review term and conditions”, “contact us” or “our products and services”.

7. Simplify language and tag it correctly.

Use plain, clear and simple language suitable for diverse audiences. Additionally, check that all content is tagged with the correct language attribute, so that screen readers can interpret and pronounce text accurately. Unlabeled or misidentified languages can make content incomprehensible for assistive tech users.

8. Follow WCAG’s color contrast standards.

Ensure text and interactive elements follow these guidelines for color contrast, lacking which users who are color blind, have low vision, or have age-related vision problems might not be able to read without a struggle. More importantly, never rely on color alone to convey information. Use icons, labels, or patterns to reinforce key messages visually.

9. Provide alt-text, captions and transcripts.

Wherever you use images and GIFs, always include descriptive alternative text (alt-text). When featuring videos, remember to add accurate captions and provide the entire transcript. For audio files, provide written transcripts for full accessibility.

This allows users with vision or hearing impairments to access multimedia content independently.

10. Test with real users with lived experiences.

No amount of simulation replaces a lived experience. Involve people with disabilities in your testing process to identify barriers and uncover insights that automated tools often miss. Incorporate their feedback into your design, development, and iteration processes.

The path ahead: Accessibility for all

By following these ten steps, you can significantly enhance the accessibility of your Gen AI applications, making them inclusive and user-friendly for everyone by design.

Start implementing these changes today to create a more accessible digital future!

>> Connect with me and let’s discuss how your organization’s Gen AI apps are making a collaborative and inclusive difference.

>> Read more about how Atos is prioritizing accessibility and inclusion for leading global organizations: Accessibility Services - Atos.

Posted on 15/09/25