New America, in partnership with the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA), released the second edition of its landmark policy brief, “Prioritizing Students with Disabilities in AI Policy.” The updated brief debuted at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit on April 14, 2026, at a pivotal moment for education and AI policy in the US.
As schools, lawmakers, and technology companies rapidly adopt and regulate AI tools, the policy landscape is fragmented. Federal and state policymakers are circulating a wide range of proposals aimed at governing AI in education, while districts and states are simultaneously debating or implementing restrictions and bans on certain educational technologies over concerns related to privacy, bias, accessibility, and student safety. In this rapidly evolving environment, learners with disabilities risk being overlooked as decisions are made at speed, without appropriate research and consistent guardrails. Without intentional protections, AI systems may reinforce inequities, create new barriers to access, or exclude students with disabilities from the benefits of emerging technologies altogether.
The updated brief responds to these challenges by offering a framework for ensuring that students with disabilities are included from the outset of AI policy and product development, rather than treated as an afterthought. At its core, the brief serves as a practical roadmap for policymakers, educators, families, and developers working to ensure that the nation’s 7.5 million students with disabilities are protected and supported as AI becomes more deeply integrated into teaching and learning. The updated edition also brings new tools to the table, including a research agenda that spotlights the unanswered questions around AI and students with disabilities and a guide for product developers.
To download the report, click the link below.