Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Students with Disabilities in the AI Era

Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Students with Disabilities in the AI Era

Siyoon Hyeong, 2025 / 4 / 10

Despite the growing emphasis on AI and coding education in mainstream schools, individuals with disabilities remain marginalized in the digital landscape. As technology advances rapidly, tailored educational programs are essential to ensure that students with disabilities can develop digital competencies and participate in tech-driven competitions.

The Korea Disabled People’s Development Institute (KODDI) recently published a report titled "Digital Inclusion for Youths with Disabilities: Efforts and Challenges." The study highlights the persistent digital divide, with a 2023 survey indicating that digital literacy among individuals with disabilities was 75.6%, significantly lower than the general population’s 96.5%. Moreover, only 30% of students with disabilities have access to digital devices or assistive technologies.

While AI and coding have been mandatory in general education since 2018, special education institutions are not required to implement these programs, leaving students with disabilities at a disadvantage. Without structured exposure to ICT, these students risk being excluded from the digital economy.

In response, organizations such as KODDI and SK Telecom have hosted annual events like the IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities and the AI Coding Competition to foster digital skills. Internationally, the Global IT Challenge, organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and LG Electronics, gathers youth from 16 countries to compete in various IT disciplines.

Additionally, the National Disabled Student e-Festival and the National IT Competition promote digital literacy among students with disabilities, offering structured training to help them leverage technology for personal and professional growth. However, AI-focused competitions remain scarce, with fewer than five held annually.

The report urges increased opportunities for youth with disabilities to engage in digital contests and customized education programs. Expanding access to essential devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops is also crucial, as financial barriers often prevent students from utilizing these tools effectively. To bridge this gap, government policies must prioritize digital inclusion through strategic device distribution and specialized training programs.