The integration of AI-powered accessibility technologies within the academic library framework has the potential to transform and promote inclusive and innovative services specifically for BVI users. However, the extent to which these innovations are being implemented to support Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) users remains uneven and under-examined. The review synthesizes contemporary research on AI-powered accessibility technologies within academic library environments. It examined the landscape of AI-powered accessibility initiatives in academic libraries with a focus on innovative services for BVI users. Specifically, the study identifies AI-powered accessibility technologies currently adopted in academic library settings, maps the range of innovative and inclusive services they support, and analyzes the challenges associated with their implementation. Drawing on recent interdisciplinary literature from library and information science, human-computer interaction, and accessibility studies, the review further highlights critical research gaps related to user experience evaluation, inclusive design frameworks, institutional readiness, and policy development. The findings underscore the need for holistic, participatory, and ethically grounded approaches to the design and deployment of AI-powered accessibility innovations that prioritize the lived experiences of BVI users. By synthesizing current evidence and outlining future research directions, this study contributes to ongoing discourse on inclusive academic librarianship and provides guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to advance equitable access in academic library ecosystems.
Omorodion Okuonghae (Tue,) studied this question.