AI Assistive Technology Is Helping People with MS and other Disabilities at Work
Rethinking AI: Not a Threat — a Potential Lifeline
Lately, it feels like you can’t scroll through a news feed without someone predicting how artificial intelligence is going to change everything — and not always in a good way. Lost jobs. Deepfakes. A digital arms race. And it’s true — there’s plenty to be cautious about.
But lost in all that noise is something far more grounded and personal: for people living with disabilities — including those of us managing multiple sclerosis — AI isn’t a threat. It’s a lifeline.
For us, the real story isn’t about being replaced by machines. AI assistive technology for people with disabilities-It’s about staying in the game
Real-World Challenges, Practical AI Support
Over the years, I’ve quietly navigated a demanding career with MS. I know what it feels like to hit a cognitive wall during a meeting or to stare at a keyboard when your hands just won’t cooperate.
That’s where AI has started to make a real difference — not in some futuristic way, but in the here and now.
Examples of AI Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities in Action
1. Voice Dictation Tools like Dragon NaturallySpeaking (https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html) or built-in dictation in Google and Microsoft apps let you keep writing when typing isn’t an option.
2. AI-Powered Transcription tools like Otter.ai https://otter.ai can transcribe meetings or calls in real time, helping manage brain fog and capture what might otherwise slip away.
3. Smart Scheduling Assistants like Reclaim.ai https://reclaim.ai automatically block time for rest or recovery — no disclosure needed, just smart boundaries.
4. Reading and Focus Tools like Microsoft Immersive Reader https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/learning-tools adjust font, color, spacing, and pacing to help people with cognitive or visual challenges absorb content more easily.
5. Visual Interpretation Apps like Be My Eyes https://www.bemyeyes.com/, now powered by GPT-4, describe what blind and low-vision users point their phones at — from reading labels to navigating public spaces.
Workplace Examples Backed by Real Data
These tools aren’t experimental — they’re being used right now by companies and individuals alike:
• In a groundbreaking collaboration between Microsoft and EY, over 300 neurodivergent and disabled professionals across 17 companies explored how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot could support their daily work. The results were striking: 91% of participants found Copilot to be a valuable assistive
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/empowering-potential-ais-role-in-disability-inclusion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Parrots Inc. https://aimresearch.co/market-industry/5-ai-powered-assistive-technologies-for-people-with-disabilities-in-us developed an AI-enabled wheelchair device (Polly) that provides voice assistance, navigation, and remote care support.
• Salesforce https://www.inclusionhub.com/articles/how-ai-is-improving-accessibility-for-professionals-with-disabilities uses AI-powered platforms like Retain to simplify how professionals with disabilities access needed workplace accommodations.
What’s Ahead: The Future of Assistive AI
Some of the most promising developments in assistive AI are just beginning to reach the workplace:
• Emotionally Aware Interfaces like MIT’s Affectiva (https://www.smart-eye.com/affectiva) can detect signs of stress or fatigue and adjust digital environments accordingly.
• Cognitive Load Monitoring may soon help simplify layouts or content when users show signs of being overwhelmed — an enormous help for those managing cognitive symptoms of MS.
• Wearable Tech with Predictive Support may eventually detect fatigue spikes and prompt breaks before symptoms flare.
Why Employers Should Care
AI assistive tech isn’t just about meeting accessibility standards — it’s a business advantage. Companies that embrace these tools benefit from:
• Increased productivity and fewer missed days
• Improved retention and morale
• A more inclusive, future-ready culture
If you’re ready to start, PEAT’s resource hub (https://www.peatworks.org/) is a good place to begin.
Final Thoughts: A Personal Perspective
I’ve spent decades in corporate life while managing MS. I know what it’s like to push through a workday while navigating symptoms others can’t see. So when I talk about assistive AI, I’m not talking theory. I’m talking about tools that have helped me — and could help many more.
AI isn’t replacing us. It’s supporting us. It’s giving us options when our options feel limited.
So Here’s My Ask
If you’re an employer — learn what’s out there. Bring these tools into your workplace before someone has to ask.
If you’re an MS or disability advocate — keep the pressure on. Share what’s working. Make sure these tools reflect — and reach — the people who need them most.
AI is already reshaping the way we work. Let’s make sure it’s shaping a future that’s accessible.
About This Post
This article was created using the same technology it’s about. I drafted the concept and content direction based on my own experience as someone living with MS and working in corporate leadership. From there, I collaborated with ChatGPT — refining structure, optimizing SEO, and integrating real-world research and citations. It’s a small but meaningful example of how AI can extend capacity and amplify voices — not replace them.
While this post may lack some of the personality or storytelling style you’ve seen in earlier ones, that was intentional. The goal here was clarity, reach, and usefulness — especially for employers, advocates, and anyone trying to make real change happen. Still me behind the words. Just with a bit more structure — and a solid AI assist. If you’re looking for something with more of the story and texture, this piece about a visit to my primary care doctor is probably a better bet. https://balancingmslife.com/primary-care-physician/
