Submissions:2025/When AI Meets Accessibility: Redesigning Wikipedia’s Interface for Blind and Visually Impaired Users
This submission has been noted and is pending review for WikiConference North America 2025.
Title:
- When AI Meets Accessibility: Redesigning Wikipedia’s Interface for Blind and Visually Impaired Users
Type of session:
- Lecture (15-30 min)
Session theme(s):
- Future of Wikipedia
Abstract:
Wikipedia has long been a vital source of free knowledge for diverse users around the world, yet Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) users still face significant challenges in accessing and navigating its content. This session explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to create a multimodal and more inclusive user interface, improving the overall user experience for BVI communities. Drawing from recent advancements in AI-driven accessibility tools, this presentation outlines a vision for redesigning Wikipedia to better support BVI users. The session will highlight common UX barriers and propose AI-informed solutions such as adaptive content structuring, real-time alt-text generation, semantic page summaries, and accessible editing workflows. Grounded in accessibility research and user-centered design, the talk will offer practical recommendations for developers, designers, and Wikimedians committed to inclusive design. Attendees will gain insight into how AI can support equitable information access, the ethical considerations in its implementation, and the collaborative role the Wikimedia community can play in co-creating accessible solutions. This session will also invite feedback and collaboration to inform future development and advocacy efforts.
Author name(s):
Wikimedia username(s):
- Omorodion1
Affiliated organization(s):
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Estimated length of session
- 15-30 minutes
Will you be presenting remotely?
- I will present in-person
Okay to livestream?
- Livestreaming is okay
Previously presented?
Special requests: