ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that uses machine learning to understand and generate human-like text. Many people may still be sceptical of using AI, but more recently, it is a very useful tool for people with disabilities.
Our editor, Emma Purcell, who has been using ChatGPT for six months, shares the benefits she has found using the AI software as a disabled person.
Read: How Will AI Help Disabled People?
1. Creating image descriptions
Before using ChatGPT, I was very unconvinced about it and how accurate it could be. However, after getting a tipoff from a former colleague about a feature that can describe images, I was keen to check it out. It has now become a lifeline for me as a blind person, being able to identify and recognise images and also create alt text for images on our website.
The method is so simple, you simply upload an image to chat GPT and then type the words “describe image” and it gives you a detailed description of the image. Here is an example of the first image I ever got described:
There are a few downsides to this feature though. Sometimes the descriptions are too long to fit into an alt text box on social media. Occasionally, it can’t identify genders and has never been able to identify the ethnicities of people in images. Also, it can sometimes mistakenly describe the wrong text or colours in images, depending on the quality of the image. If you’re publishing the description for alt text, it is advised to proofread and edit the description before using it.
In addition, the free plan of ChatGPT only allows you to upload three images or documents a day. Therefore, if you require descriptions for more than three images per day, it is advised you upgrade to the Plus plan or, alternatively, create more than one ChatGPT account and switch accounts when needed.
2. Generating images
Another feature I find useful, particularly for our website and social media platforms, is the ability to generate images. There are some occasions where I just need some kind of generic image to illustrate the story in the article or social media post. So rather than scrolling through stock images, I can simply type out on ChatGPT the kind of image I would like and it can generate it for me. Sometimes the image that is generated is almost perfect to the description I gave and on other occasions, it does need several tweaks before it’s right.
Here are some of the images I have created on ChatGPT for our website:
There is one issue with this feature in that if you’re trying to put text to the image the text is not always accurate. For instance, in December 2024, I tried generating an image to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I wanted an image with crowds of disabled people holding up the disability pride flag and with the words of the event and the year 2024.
However, I made the mistake of not fully checking the details of the image that was created and it wasn’t until after I published it on social media that we got multiple comments questioning if this was created by AI and that it was incorrectly created with the year 2022 and generic LGBTQ+ pride flags rather than the disability pride flag. There were also many people disapproving of us using AI to create images rather than asking disabled artists to create the images.
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We would love to have artists come on board with us and create some wonderful images on our website. But sadly, due to timing and funding constraints, this can be quite difficult at the moment. However, we are open to offering opportunities for disabled artists to do voluntary work for us. If anyone is interested, feel free to contact us.
I still feel like this is a great accessible tool for those who have physical or visual impairments and may have difficulty creating images themselves.
3. Crafting, editing and amending written content
Another element of ChatGPT, which I never thought would be possible or accepted as a journalist, is the ability to edit and amend written content. On occasions, when I’m writing a complex article or it needs to be formatted differently for SEO purposes, I tend to use AI to give me suggestions on how to improve the content or suggest introductions, headings and subheadings for articles.
Furthermore, it is a useful tool when needing to change elements of written content, such as switching it from the first person to the third person, or taking lengthy paragraphs and turning them into bullet points.
In addition, ChatGPT can also help craft social media posts, which can include catchy headlines, emojis and hashtags. Plus it can assist in cutting down the number of characters so it can fit on platforms such as Twitter and Threads.
Although I still believe I am an exceptional writer who has managed to publish hundreds of articles without any AI support for over a decade, I just feel this tool helps me save time in some areas of my work and also gives me different ideas that I may have not thought of myself within an article.
4. Researching and analysing content
When doing extensive research for an article or analysing lengthy documents, I find ChatGPT to be very useful in selecting relevant facts, figures and information that can be useful.
A good example of this was when I was writing up an article about the UK Autumn Budget. I found a copy of the full document, shared the link to ChatGPT and requested that they go through it and find all the information relating to health and social care and disability.
Amazingly, it found all the relevant bits including pledges on the NHS, social care, special educational needs, benefits and welfare and disability employment. It then went on to help me construct an article summarising and analysing the budget, focusing on the impact on disabled people.
This is also ideal when you are doing academic research or helps you simplify tasks such as applying for benefits or sending legal letters.
5. Instructions on how to resolve technical issues
Navigating and using technology can be complicated at times. But now thanks to ChatGPT, resolving technical issues can be so much easier. Just by asking it a simple question, it can give you step-by-step guides on how to resolve them. No more scrolling through Google and watching endless YouTube tutorials.
I’ve benefited from this feature on several occasions including getting tips on fixing issues on our website hosting platform, misconfiguring error messages on my iPad and receiving advice on how to change accessibility settings on my MacBook, just to name a few.
Overall thoughts on the benefits of ChatGPT for disabled people
ChatGPT is transforming communication and advocacy by simplifying tasks like writing articles and applications, conducting research, and creating supporting statements. For individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments and their advocates, it offers a lifeline in navigating complex processes, such as applying for disability benefits.
The tool helps organise thoughts, reduce anxiety, and create clear, persuasive statements. By refining rough notes or ideas into polished arguments, ChatGPT ensures that applications are complete and compelling, increasing the likelihood of success.
Beyond applications, ChatGPT serves as a powerful research assistant. It quickly processes and summarises large volumes of information, making dense materials like medical journals more accessible.
Additionally, ChatGPT can simplify complex texts, making technical or academic language more understandable. This feature enhances advocacy efforts by ensuring ideas are communicated clearly to diverse audiences.
Despite its benefits, ethical considerations are essential. You must verify AI-generated content and remain cautious of inaccuracy and over-reliance. By using ChatGPT responsibly, you can harness its potential to amplify voices, create well-supported content and navigate communication challenges with greater ease.
You can find out more and sign up to ChatGPT by visiting openai.com. You can also download the ChatGPT app on the App Store and Google Play.
What do you like and dislike about ChatGPT and how does it support you as a disabled person? Let us know in the comments box, on social media or contact us to share your personal story.