Work

AI Support for Special Education Students Navigating College Pathways in Texas

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Students with disabilities face unique challenges when transitioning to higher education, emphasizing the need for tailored support during the college application process. Advances in AI, particularly in personalized assistance, offer promising opportunities to improve accessibility in education. This study explored the role of AI in supporting students with disabilities by focusing on ADVi, an AI chatbot that provided college admissions guidance via text messaging. Methods: We employed a multilevel-negative-binomial model to determine whether students with disabilities demonstrated a distinct need for AI-based support in their transition to college. Results: The findings revealed that students with disabilities used ADVi significantly more than their typically developing peers, with the highest utilization observed among students with autism and emotional disabilities. Conclusions: These results highlight the growing use of ADVi among students with disabilities, emphasizing the critical role of AI-driven tools in enhancing accessibility during their transition to postsecondary education.

Source: Remedial and Special Education

DOI: 10.1177/07419325261422377

Authors: Han Bum Lee, John Davis, Sharon L. Nichols, Jasmine Victor

Institution: The University of Texas at San Antonio

Language: English

Topic: Disability Education and Employment

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900