Abstract:

The integration of blind and visually impaired students into specialized and visually intensive disciplines such as medical education presents unique pedagogical challenges. Traditional accommodations, while beneficial, often fall short in disciplines requiring the interpretation of complex visual data, such as histology and pathology. This study explores the innovative application of assistive intelligence (AI), specifically ChatGPT, to bridge this accessibility gap by converting medical content images into descriptive alternative text.

Utilizing a case study approach, we engaged a blind medical student to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT-generated descriptions for understanding visual materials, including histology slides, medical diagrams, and flowcharts. The methodology involved included selecting a diverse set of medical images, using ChatGPT to generate detailed alternative texts, and evaluating the student's comprehension, ability to engage with the content meaningfully, and what we could learn from the students’ experience.

Preliminary findings indicate that AI-generated texts not only make visual content accessible to a blind student but also enrich their learning experience by providing nuanced, contextually relevant descriptions. Additionally, ChatGPT has proven instrumental in assisting faculty to prepare asynchronous teaching materials and assessment tools, including descriptive cases and multiple-choice questions (MCQs), tailored to meet the needs of visually impaired students. This approach has shown potential in reducing the educational and social exclusion of a visually impaired student in medical education, offering a scalable solution that can be adapted across various disciplines.

The significance of this study lies in its demonstration of how AI can be harnessed to create inclusive learning environments, thereby addressing a critical gap in educational research and practice. It underscores the importance of technological innovation in promoting educational equity and sets the groundwork for future research on the application of AI in overcoming barriers to education for students with disabilities.

This project contributes to the discourse on educational inclusivity, adaptive technologies, and the role of AI in creating accessible learning environments, offering valuable insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers committed to supporting all students in achieving their educational goals.

Keywords:

ChatGPT, large language model, artificial intelligence, Blind students, Visually Impaired, Medical Education, Assistive Technology, instructional design, Accessibility.