Workforce development organization IWSI America publishes "AI Strategies for Disability Employment" on leveraging AI's opportunities and avoiding potential pitfalls

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how Americans work, hire, and collaborate, a new white paper from the Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation America (IWSI America) makes a compelling case: AI has the power to dramatically expand employment opportunities for one of the most overlooked, yet underemployed, segment of the population: people with disabilities. However, only if employers deploy it intentionally, responsibly, and inclusively.

The report, AI Strategies for Disability Employment arrives at a pivotal moment. Today, fewer than one in four working-age Americans with disabilities are employed, compared to nearly two-thirds of those without disabilities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This persistent gap represents not only a social inequity, but a significant economic and talent loss at a time when employers across industries are struggling to fill roles and close skills gaps.

"AI is already embedded in hiring, training, and everyday work," said Deborah Williamson, Vice President, IWSI America. "The question is whether it will quietly reinforce existing barriers, or actively dismantle them."

Drawing on global research, real-world case studies, and employer-ready guidance, the paper outlines how disability-inclusive AI can drive stronger business outcomes. Research cited from Accenture shows that companies leading on employee inclusion generate 1.6 times higher revenue, 2.6 times higher net income, and double the economic profit of their peers. Meanwhile, excluding people with disabilities from the workforce can cost economies up to 7% of GDP, according to the World Economic Forum.

The white paper spotlights companies already putting these principles into practice. Microsoft is highlighted for its AI for Accessibility program, which co-designs tools such as live captioning, Immersive Reader, and the Seeing AI app alongside people with disabilities. Salesforce features prominently for involving disabled employees in the creation of internal AI tools that provide private, on-demand workplace accommodations. Walgreens demonstrates how automation and accessible technology, embedded into operations and culture, can support large-scale disability hiring while improving productivity and retention.

Beyond examples, the report offers practical, near-term guidance for employers navigating AI adoption. Recommendations include using accessible, AI-powered recruitment tools; ensuring meetings, documents, and communications support captions, screen readers, and multiple formats by default; auditing AI hiring systems for bias; and, critically, inviting employees with disabilities to co-design and test AI systems before they are rolled out.

The paper also includes a 90-day roadmap to help organizations take immediate action—without waiting for new regulations or large budgets.

"America's workforce is changing fast; AI can level the playing field for people with disabilities at work, but only if businesses act now," concluded Nicholas Wyman, President, IWSI America.

The full white paper is available here.

About IWSI America

The Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation (IWSI) America is a work development organization that empowers enterprising businesses, nonprofits and government agencies by unlocking the full potential of our most prized assets: people.

For more than two decades IWSI America has worked with individual employers as well as states and localities to establish and help build modern, sustainable apprenticeship programs. IWSI also serves as advisor on the design and implementation of such new programs to assist non-profit and for-profit entities in growing pipelines of talent to meet the needs of a dynamic workforce in a rapidly changing work environment. Learn more at https://www.iwsiamerica.org/

Media Contact

Alexandra Rush, IWSI America, 1 7186643517, arush@rosengrouppr.com, https://www.iwsiamerica.org/

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SOURCE IWSI America