Neil Squire Regional Manager Charles Levasseur was interviewed by CBC New Brunswick for their feature on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help level the playing field for workers with disabilities.

The CBC notes, “More than 35 per cent of New Brunswickers have a disability, according to Statistics Canada, and only 46 per cent of them are employed. But a greater understanding and acceptance of new technology in the workplace could close that gap.”

Charles discussed his hope for digital literacy around artificial technology to increase, and for new assistive technology solutions that remove barriers for people with disabilities to be embraced by employers.

The article continues, “There have been a lot of advancements in technology since Charles Levasseur started using MS-DOS — Microsoft’s disk operating system — back in the 1980s. But the assistive technology specialist with the non-profit Neil Squire Society in Moncton said none of it compares to artificial intelligence.

But it’s a technology that’s often misunderstood, and in some cases, abused, said Levasseur. That’s why he would like to see an increase in digital literacy for everyone — in particular, how to use it properly.

If not, he worries schools and other institutions will move to restrict its use for people who really benefit from it.

He said it’s already happening at some colleges when it comes to using a program called Grammarly, because it leans too heavily on artificial intelligence. Levasseur likens it to Spell Check and said banning programs like this is a slippery slope.

‘Instead of always going to the first approach, which is preventing it from being used, let’s see how we can implement it in the way that’s going to be acceptable.’

Levasseur hopes more employers will lean into new technology that removes barriers for people with disabilities. He said people can start to do that with the built-in technology that’s already installed in our phones, tablets and computers. He said there are often resources available to help with the cost of more expensive programs and devices.”

Read the full story on cbc.ca.

Tags: assistive technology, Atlantic Regional Office, Media, New Brunswick