ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that uses machine learning to understand and generate human-like text. Many people remain sceptical of AI, particularly as the technology advances rapidly and concerns grow about safety, privacy, misinformation and its wider impact on society. However, AI can also provide valuable support for disabled people, offering new ways to improve accessibility, independence and communication.
Our editor, Emma Purcell, who has been using ChatGPT for over two years, shares the benefits she has found using the AI software as a disabled person.
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 or 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.
More recently, I found a tactic to make the descriptions shorter and simpler and also be SEO optimised by specifically asking ChatGPT “describe image for alt text”, and that way the text is not overwhelmingly long and can still fit into an alt text box on websites and social media.
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:
Over a year ago, there were some 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.
However, over the past six months, the tool has improved massively and it is generating very well-created and detailed images almost exactly to my descriptions. It has even helped me edit and polish my own photographs, including my latest headshot which changed the background to our Crip Life™ colour scheme.
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.s
Another recent example for me was when I received an electric copy of my Subject Access Request medical document from my GP and I wanted to gather information about all my urology care over the past eight years. I simply uploaded the document to ChatGPT and asked it to filter through and find everything relating to urology and summarise it for me.
I then used this summary to get ChatGPT to help me draft a letter to my urology consultant to summarise everything that has happened to me over the past few years to get a better understanding of what I’ve already had done in order to make a decision on next steps for my latest treatment.
Read: How Will AI Help Disabled People?
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.
In the summer of 2026, I even managed to use it to guide me through how to use the block editor on WordPress to help create a new version of our Crip Life™ homepage. It went through each section step-by-step and along the way I shared screenshots of what I was doing on WordPress and it would give me instructions as to what to do next.
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I’ve also used it to help me navigate things like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, as well as many other platforms.
This is such a valuable way to use ChatGPT when you work for yourself from home with no other colleagues or professional services available to you that can support you with these tasks.
6. Resize videos for websites and social media
Another handy task that ChatGPT has been able to assist me with is resizing video files for me to share on our website and social media channels.
On many occasions, PR and marketing teams send me videos to share but the file is too large to be uploaded to our website or social media channels. But with ChatGPT, I simply upload a copy of the video and ask “Can you help me change the ratio of this video to use on Facebook and Instagram” and it will convert the file to make it compatible to be uploaded to websites and social media.
7. Describing things around me
You may be aware of these Meta AI glasses that many blind and partially sighted people are benefiting from. But if you’re looking for an easier and cheaper way to get a similar result, ChatGPT also has a function that can describe what’s around you.
If you have a smartphone or tablet with the ChatGPT app, you can open a new chat, switch to voice, live video, then move your camera to the area or item you want described and it will describe it for you, if you want more details, you can simply just ask it a follow-up question like “what is the size of it?”, “What is the colour of it?”, “Is there other wording on the text?”, if you’re reading instructions or packaging, etc.
8. Asking every day random questions and advice
I also use ChatGPT for a range of more random, everyday tasks that aren’t necessarily connected to my work. These have included identifying films, music and actors, checking sports fixtures and results, working out how to use Google Calendar, finding meeting points and travel options, understanding websites and online registration systems, navigating Motability and car-related arrangements, finding accessible places and services, answering general entertainment questions, searching for suitable job opportunities and getting advice on applications, and helping me deal with customer-service issues or write complaints and assertive emails.
However, I’m also aware that ChatGPT isn’t always accurate, particularly when providing specific, current or factual information. I therefore wouldn’t rely on it as my only source, especially for things such as sports results, travel, businesses, services, entertainment information or anything where accuracy is important. I need to double-check information against reliable sources and often use Google or other platforms to verify details, compare information and make sure I’m getting the most accurate and up-to-date answer.
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.
There are also valid concerns about the environmental impact of AI, including the water and energy required to power the data centres that support these technologies. These concerns should not be dismissed, and using AI responsibly means being mindful of when and how we use it.
However, for disabled people, the accessibility benefits can be significant. AI can reduce physical and cognitive demands, support people with different communication and sensory needs, and provide greater independence when accessing information, services and creative opportunities. For many disabled people, these tools can remove barriers that have traditionally made navigating the digital and physical world more difficult.
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.