Artificial Intelligence: A New Frontier for Inclusion
The rise of artificial intelligence has given me renewed hope for my son and millions of others like him. AI’s evolving capabilities offer unprecedented opportunities to bridge gaps, enhance accessibility, and foster true inclusion. Traditional approaches often require parents and advocates to fight for accommodations and support. However, AI can change this dynamic by providing autonomous inclusion, allowing individuals with special needs to navigate and participate in the world more independently.
Personal Journey with AI
Initial Exploration
My journey with AI began with my autistic, non-verbal son’s unusual sleeping habits. Despite trying various medical and alternative treatments, nothing worked until I started using technology. By analyzing his sleep patterns with algorithms, we could understand his needs better and improve his sleep quality. This success led me to explore other areas where AI could benefit children with special needs.
Expanding Horizons
As I started to see the role of artificial intelligence, I began working with special needs children and their parents. We used technology from aiding in potty training to social inclusion, including daily routines, chores, yoga, and many more. Tablets equipped with special apps helped families understand their child’s needs and challenges. By leveraging technology, we identified each child’s interests and abilities. Sharing this information with therapists, parents, and teachers helped create tailored learning and therapy plans.
From Insights to Product Development
Pandemic Response
When the pandemic hit in 2020, my son’s therapy sessions moved online. Using Google Classroom and forms, we set goals for therapists and monitored progress. This remote approach led to hiring more therapists and educators online, revealing patterns and insights through data analysis. Expanding this model, we now collaborate with schools and nonprofits in different countries.
Building the AI-Based Application
We are now developing an AI-based application to help children with special needs build foundational life skills. This application aims to identify each child’s interests and abilities and help them develop life skills for independent living. The program guides the child through different stages:
EXPLORE: Discovering their interests and abilities to build foundational life skills.
EVOLVE: Building functional life skills through what they’ve learned and using them in projects and other activities.
BELIEVE: Gaining confidence, maturing their projects, connecting with others, learning from peers, and team building.
ACHIEVE: Applying their skills in real-world settings to run their own small business or seek employment based on the skills they have acquired.
This progression helps children navigate their days independently, build confidence, and ultimately pursue opportunities in areas they are passionate about, whether through starting a small business or finding employment.
How AI Empowers People with Special Needs
As the AI revolution brings new advancements every day, it excites me to explore how we can incorporate these technologies to help people with special needs reach their highest potential. AI is revolutionizing the lives of people with disabilities in various impactful ways:
Communication and Interaction: Enabling non-verbal children to communicate more effectively.
Mobility and Independence: Autonomous vehicles allowing them to travel independently and smart home technology simplifying daily living.
Learning and Education: Customized learning experiences by creating individualized education plans.
Mental Health and Well-being: Virtual assistants offering emotional support and managing daily tasks, improving quality of life.
A Future of Inclusive AI
AI is a transformative technology that can create a more inclusive society. It helps individuals with special needs build essential skills, gain independence, and navigate their lives with greater ease. By leveraging AI technologies, people with special needs can participate equally with others, accessing opportunities without having to request inclusion. AI makes the world more accessible, ensuring that people with special needs can live in a world designed to be inclusive from the start. This new frontier in technology empowers them to live independently, engage in meaningful activities, and contribute to society in ways that were previously challenging. From personalized learning plans to assistive devices that enhance mobility, AI bridges the gap, allowing everyone to experience a world that is truly accessible and inclusive for all.
The Mission
My professional expertise and personal experiences have convinced me that AI is the key to a new era of inclusion for individuals with special needs. By developing AI applications that address the challenges faced by the special needs community, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Together, we can transform lives and create a more inclusive society.
