How AI Is Changing Accessibility: Max Ivey on Blindness, Adaptive Technology & the Future of Human-Centered AI

Artificial intelligence has the potential to make technology more accessible than ever—but only if it’s built with real users in mind.In this episode, Jason Wade sits down with Max Ivey, known online as The Blind Blogger, to discuss decades of adaptive technology, the evolution of accessibility, and why AI is both an incredible opportunity and a growing challenge for people with disabilities.Max shares his journey from growing up in a family-owned carnival business to teaching himself HTML while nearly blind, building an online business, and becoming a respected advocate for accessible technology.Together they discuss:Growing up blind and adapting to changing technologyEarly screen readers, OCR, Braille, and assistive devicesWhy accessibility often breaks after software updatesClaude vs. ChatGPT vs. Gemini from an accessibility perspectiveAI’s impact on employment for people with disabilitiesHuman experience versus technical accessibility standardsWhy Information Architecture matters for accessibilityThe importance of keeping humans in the AI loopVoice interfaces, wearable AI, and the future of assistive technologyThe surprising ways AI can both empower and frustrate usersThis conversation offers a practical reminder that the best AI products aren’t simply the smartest—they’re the most usable.Max Ivey is an accessibility consultant, speaker, entrepreneur, and creator known as The Blind Blogger.After losing nearly all of his vision, Max taught himself HTML, built multiple online businesses, and became a respected advocate for digital accessibility. Drawing on decades of lived experience, he helps organizations understand how real users interact with websites, software, AI systems, and emerging technologies.Today Max works with businesses, conferences, and technology teams to improve accessibility, inclusion, and user experience while demonstrating how better accessibility creates better products for everyone.  Accessibility is one of the strongest real-world tests of AI quality.Human experience cannot be replaced by technical compliance alone.Software updates frequently introduce accessibility regressions.AI should amplify human capability—not replace human judgment.Designing for accessibility ultimately improves products for every user.  Guest BioKey Takeaways