Existing power dynamics, social injustices and structural barriers may exacerbate challenges related to support and advocacy, limiting some students' ability to articulate their needs effectively [59]. This disparity highlights an increasing need for alternative approaches to student advocacy that may empower students with disabilities in ways that current practices may not. While human disability support practitioners can play a crucial role in bridging gaps between students and institutions, these efforts are resource-intensive, relying on trained personnel, availability, and sustained institutional commitment. This study explores the feasibility and ethical implications of employing artificial intelligence (AI) and in particular social robots as tools for mediation and advocacy for disabled students in higher education. While the overarching focus regards social robots and LLMs, the study adopts a broader perspective of understanding the use of technology and AI in general for disabled students, to draw insights and identify patterns that can inform the design, implementation, and ethical considerations of AI-driven assistive technologies.

On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that Elon Musk's DOGE fed sensitive data into artificial intelligence software as a way to help decide which of the Department of Education's programs were wasteful, to try and slash its budget. President Donald Trump is expected to soon release an executive order that would reduce education spending as much as possible while recognizing that he cannot get rid of the department itself. That can only be done by an act of Congress--Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) recently reintroduced such a bill in the House. As I previously reported, the Department of Education plays a crucial role in making sure disabled kids receive the same access to education across states, and distributes funding for the needed accommodations.

Online education also helps equalize disabled students with the rest of the class, as certain disabilities are not visible when communicating online, and the curriculum can be tailored to meet disability requirements. Advances in edtech are also making communicating with peers smoother, allowing disabled students to debate and discuss better. Braille-enabled accessories, hearing aid-compatible headsets, sign language translating software and text-to-speech tools are a few examples of how edtech can help in this regard. With edtech making it possible for disabled students to learn from home, it also prepares students for the future of work, which is going to be more hybrid.