Prompting is just talking to AI, but strategically—being specific about what you need, showing examples of good output, and breaking complex asks into steps gets you results worth using instead of generic nonsense. The better your prompt, the better the output; it's not magic, it's just clarity.
A prompt is the question or instruction you give to an AI. Think of it like asking a librarian for help. The better you explain what you need, the better help you get back.
Bad prompt: "summarize this." The AI doesn't know what you want summarized or why. Good prompt: "Summarize this medical letter in 3 bullet points using simple words, because I have dyslexia and need to understand the key points quickly." Now the AI knows exactly what you need.
AI can't read your mind. It doesn't know you have a learning disability, low vision, or limited mobility unless you tell it. When you describe your situation clearly, the AI adapts. It might use simpler language, format information differently, or structure answers for screen readers instead of just for reading on a screen.
The prompt is your chance to say: "Here's who I am and what I actually need."
Start with what you want: "Rewrite this document for accessibility." Then add context: "I use a screen reader, so use short paragraphs and clear headings." Or: "I have ADHD, so please use bullet points instead of long paragraphs." Finally, explain why if it helps: "I need to send this to my team, and they'll be reading it on phones."
The formula is simple: What + How + Why.
For someone using a screen reader: "Convert this article into a document with clear headings and short paragraphs. I use a screen reader, so structure is important."
For someone with dyslexia: "Reformat this email into bullet points with short sentences. Use simple vocabulary."
For someone with ADHD: "Summarize the important points in this article. List them in order of importance. Keep it under 100 words."
Vague prompts get vague answers. Specific prompts get tailored results. The more you tell the AI about your accessibility needs, the better it can help you. You're not asking for special treatment—you're giving the AI the information it needs to actually understand your request.
Try this: Take something you need to understand or create. Write a prompt that includes: what you want done, how you prefer information presented (bullet points? short paragraphs? audio format?), and why (because I have X accessibility need). Paste it into Claude or Gemini and see how differently it responds compared to just saying "help me with this."
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