How Artificial Intelligence Tools Assisting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Global South

Iftikhar Bhatti; Gnanesh Methari

doi:10.55524/ijircst.2025.13.6.16

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being considered an effective ally of Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and this may be extremely important to the Global South where structural inequality, meager resources, and endemic gaps in access remain limiting factors to full participation. The present paper discusses the ways AI-powered technologies can assist PWDs in developing countries in communication, mobility, education, access to healthcare, and economic involvement. The paper is based on a multidisciplinary framework, which is informed by the Social Model of Disability and the Capability Approach, in synthesizing the evidence obtained through case studies and reported implementations in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It is revealed in the analysis that AI-based computer vision, speech recognition, smart navigation, customized learning systems, and computerized job search tools can eliminate social obstacles and enhance autonomy. Meanwhile, the article notes that the persistent limitations include poor digital infrastructure, affordability, bias in algorithms due to underrepresented datasets, privacy concerns, and sustainability. Results indicate that AI has the most significant positive impact in case it is designed and implemented in the participatory and community-based models indicating the reflection of local realities, language diversity, and cultural context. Overall, the paper finds that AI has great potential to open up possibilities and human dignity to PWDs in the Global South yet a lasting growth will require deliberate policy frameworks, ethical management and long-term investment in accessible technologies that can fit the low-resource context.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence for Accessibility; Persons with Disabilities (PWDs); Global South; Inclusive Technology; Ethical and Participatory AI

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Cites this article as

I. Bhatti, G. Methari, "How Artificial Intelligence Tools Assisting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Global South", International Journal of Innovative Research in Computer Science and Technology (IJIRCST), Vol-13, Issue-6, Page No-151-158, 2025. Available from: https://doi.org/10.55524/ijircst.2025.13.6.16

Corresponding Author

Iftikhar Bhatti

Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandies University, Waltham, MA, United States

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