Molly Sunak of CIDNY testifies on assistive technology and disability exemptions

Awesome.

Thank you so much.

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Molly Sunak.

I am testifying today on behalf of the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York.

I am their education and employment community organizer.

Advancements in digital technology have provided critical access for people with disabilities to spaces that were previously far less accessible.

However, the recently released guidance on AI and screen time clearly acknowledges the risks associated with unlimited access to technology in a learning environment.

Students with disabilities, however, are among those seemingly categorically excluded from the protections the guidance seeks to provide.

There is no guidance on the use of AI and screens when it is being used as assistive technology, except to say that it is exempt from the guidance.

And while the idea of regarding assistive technology as an exception to these rules might seem like a service to our students with disabilities, it instead treats these students as

as if they are immune to the risks posed to students without disabilities.

The guidance in its current form provides students with disabilities with fewer protections from the risks of screen time NAI under the guise of providing them with more exemptions from the restrictions.

This is a reflection of a phenomenon that is unfortunately all too common when providing accommodations for people with disabilities, even when the intentions are ultimately good.

Many people approach accessibility as if there was a switch that could be flipped to make everything accessible for everyone and think the issue merely lies in finding the right switch.

However, it is never that simple, especially for young students who are still in the earlier stages of learning about their needs.

Banning all assistive technology regardless of the benefits and allowing all assistive technology regardless of the risks are ultimately two sides of the same coin.

Thank you.

I have a lot more detail in my written testimony, but I would just like to stress that assistive technology needs to be at the center of these conversations, not just included.

Thank you very much for your testimony and the very important perspective that you offered.

We appreciate it.