Can AI make learning more accessible … or is it just adding new barriers? In this debut episode of The What & Who of EDU's AI+ series, we sit down with Rachel Comerford, Senior Director of Accessibility at Macmillan Learning, to talk about what AI is getting wrong (and right) when it comes to accessibility.
From the myth of the "fully accessible" AI tool to why Universal Design for Learning is more than a checklist, Rachel offers practical, honest, and human-centered advice for instructors navigating this new landscape. Whether you're AI-curious or still AI-cautious, this episode is packed with ways to use technology more intentionally, and with all learners in mind.
Brought to you by Macmillan Learning
Episode Breakdown + Timestamps
1:20 Welcome to the AI+ Series: Meet our guest and kick off our first AI+ conversation.
2:46 What Educators Can Get Wrong About AI and Accessibility: (Hint) It's not about screen readers alone.
5:15 Vetting AI Without Being an Expert: The questions instructors can ask, even without deep technical knowledge.
7:50 UDL as Mindset, Not Mandate: Why designing for flexibility supports every learner, not just some.
10:50 Students Are Already Using AI. Are We Helping Them Use It Well? What instructors should know about student AI habits (and how to respond).
014:28 AI vs traditional tools. What are the benefits and challenges for students?
15:53 What to Fix About AI Tools. Why instructors should start small, and what to look out for.
20:07 How to Start Small with Accessible AI. Low-risk, behind-the-scenes ways to test AI in your own practice.
24:42 AI Isn't Perfect. So Now What? Rachel's candid take on the next wave of tools, code, and compliance.
29:45 AI Won't Replace the Human Layer. Rachel's reminder that AI is a support, not a solution, and humans are still essential.
31:54 What We Learned Today. Accessibility isn't a checkbox, it's a human experience.
Featured Guest
Rachel Comerford is the Senior Director of Accessibility Outreach and Communication at Macmillan Learning where she leads cross-functional efforts to ensure students of all abilities have access to their course materials. In 2020, BISG awarded Rachel the Industry Innovator award for her work helping Macmillan Learning to become the first Global Certified Accessible publisher by Benetech. Under her leadership, Macmillan Learning was recognized by WIPO's Accessible Book Consortium with the International Excellence award Award for Accessible Publishing for their work towards providing educational materials that any student can use. Rachel has over a decade of experience in the print and digital publishing world.
Required Reading
Title 2 Resource Page: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/our-story/accessibility/titleII
Universal Design and Accessibility: https://www.section508.gov/develop/universal-design/
Benetech Global Certified Accessible Program: https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/global-certified-accessible/
Call to Action
If this episode gave you a new way to think about AI, accessibility, or Universal Design for Learning, follow The What & Who of EDU, leave us a quick rating, or share it with a colleague who's navigating the same challenges.
Got an idea for an AI+ topic or a question you want us to explore? Email us at TheWhatAndWhoOfEDU@macmillan.com, we love hearing from you.
