Sarahelizabeth Baguhn
Research Specialist
American Foundation for the Blind
Presentation Title:
Expanding the Evidence Base:
Expert Insights on AI and Disability
Presentation Summary:
Artificial Intelligence systems increasingly influence daily life—from hiring platforms to digital assistants—yet accessibility for people with disabilities is often reactive or overlooked. The American Foundation for the Blind will share a Delphi study of experts in AI and disability, focusing on key areas of concern and potential, and their policy implications. Additionally, this session will present a sneak peak of survey findings comparing perceptions and experiences of AI tools between people with and without disabilities.
This work highlights key disparities in usability, trust, and perceived fairness, offering organizations concrete direction for ethical and inclusive AI development. Attendees will gain early insights into how user-informed benchmarks can shape accessibility practices and mitigate future risk.
About | Sarahelizabeth Baguhn
Sarahelizabeth Baguhn, PhD, has worked itinerantly and in a residential school as a COMS, CATIS, and TVI. She is the Research Specialist for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), where her work informs data-driven decisions in policy and advocacy efforts in the blindness space through rigorous research.
Dr. Baguhn serves on the board of directors for ACVREP, the subject matter expert committee for Assistive Technology with ACVREP, and the advisory council for Audio Description. She has published in JVIB on topics including blindness statistics, guide dogs, echoidentification techniques, and assessment validation.
Her current work at AFB focuses on the prevalence and impact of accessibility barriers, AI and disability intersection, and developing technologies and policies to enhance community accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision.