# AI+ Learning Differences Initiative # AI+ Learning Differences Design the future of learning, together. A two-day hackathon where people with lived experience of learning differences, students, educators, and engineers co-design more accessible ways to learn. **November 7-8, 2026 · 9:00 AM-5:00 PM** Harvard Graduate School of Education · Cambridge, MA [ Submit Your Application by October 20 arrow\_circle\_right ](https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3qHaBdoCoHiKAw6) ![](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2026-09/hero-pink-center_1.png?itok=loNTEab8) ## Immersion Visit at Perkins School for the Blind **Ahead of the hackathon, you are also invited to an optional Immersion Visit at Perkins School for the Blind on Friday, November 6. Through conversations, a campus tour, and hands-on demonstrations, you’ll gain a closer understanding of learners’ experiences before beginning your team’s work over the weekend. View** [**this brochure**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/16MqraJwsNVPHquFdhAr4e0jtSg2yJYSj/view) **for the event.** You can let us know whether you plan to attend the Immersion Visit when you complete the hackathon registration form. [### Details: ](/event/details?occ_id=0)November 6, 2026 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM EST ## About Us AI+ Learning Differences is a co-design initiative bringing together people with lived experience of learning differences, educators, students, designers, and engineers to reimagine accessible learning. Teams start from real, documented challenges identified through work and research in accessibility, and explore how AI can help to make learning more accessible, inclusive, and human. Over two days at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, interdisciplinary teams will move from understanding a challenge to designing, prototyping, testing, and sharing a possible solution. You do not need to know how to code, and you do not need to arrive with a team. Before the event, every participant can complete a short self-paced orientation, developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, covering co-design, AI Literacy, so everyone arrives prepared and ready to contribute. Ahead of the Hackathon, you are also invited to an optional Immersion Visit at Perkins School for the Blind on Friday, November 6, offering real-world context for the challenges you will explore over the weekend. This initiative is organized in collaboration with the [Perkins School for the Blind](https://www.perkins.org/), which brings decades of expertise in accessibility and inclusive education, and the[ Alana ](https://alana.org.br/en/alana-foundation/), a longtime supporter of inclusion-centered innovation. Selected projects may continue after the hackathon with mentorship and partner support. ## Why Join? ### Design Together This event is built on inclusive co-design. You will work directly with people who have lived experience of learning differences, so what you build reflects real needs. ### No Code Required You do not need to know how to program. Teams also need educators, students, designers, researchers, and advocates. ### Learn from Experts Get workshops, flash clinics, and one-on-one mentoring from experts in accessibility, learning science, design, and AI throughout the event. ### Meet Your Community Connect with people from Harvard University, Perkins School for the Blind, partner organizations, local universities, and beyond who are passionate about building a more inclusive future for learning. ## Ready to build with us? You don't need to arrive with a team. **You can apply individually and we'll help build diverse teams around shared interests, experiences, and skills.** We welcome applicants from any institution who bring different perspectives and want to explore how AI can create more accessible ways to learn, and can attend the event in person on both days. [ APPLY TO PARTICIPATE arrow\_circle\_right ](https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3qHaBdoCoHiKAw6) ## Meet the Team [### Amin Marei ](/people/amin-marei) [amin\_marei@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:amin_marei@gse.harvard.edu)Faculty Lead, AI+ Learning Differences Initiative · Adjunct Lecturer on Education Amin Marei is the faculty lead of the AI+ Learning Differences and an Adjunct Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where his work focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies, human development, and learning. His... ![image of Amin Marei](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/amin-marei-109404-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter.jpg?itok=4ikk-e8s) [### Blerim Jashari ](/people/blerim-jashari) Graduate Research Assistant Blerim Jashari is a graduate research assistant for the AI × Learning Differences initiative, supporting the design of the hackathon experience, participant onboarding, and the initiative's website. He is a PhD student in Human Development, Learning, and... ![image of Blerim Jashari](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/profile.jpeg?itok=dmj9KJgN) [### Alisa Fukuda ](/people/alisa-fukuda) [alisa\_fukuda@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:alisa_fukuda@gse.harvard.edu)Graduate Research Assistant Alisa Fukuda is a graduate research assistant for the AI x Learning Differences initiative. She supports the research and design of the initiative's hackathon event, including participant recruitment and the development of marketing and onboarding... ![image of Alisa Fukuda](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-09/1784958730967.png?itok=ak17MXg0) arrow\_back arrow\_forward [ View All People arrow\_circle\_right ](/team) ## Collaborators [Alana](https://alana.org.br/en/alana-foundation/) ![logo of Alana Foundation](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-09/alana-logo-transparent.png?itok=eTwkhlFs) [Perkins School for the Blind](https://www.perkins.org/) ![logo of the Perkins School for the Blind](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-09/perkins-logo-transparent.png?itok=15AJfEev) [The Alana Down Syndrome Center at MIT](https://alana.mit.edu/) ![logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2026-10/alana-mit-logo-tight.png?itok=WoMyuPEq) [Harvard Law School Project on Disability](https://hpod.law.harvard.edu/) ![logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum13231/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2026-10/hls-pod-logo%402x.png?itok=gPNlm5Vr) ## FAQ Open all sections Close all sections ### What is the pre-hackathon Immersion Visit at Perkins? expand\_more On Friday, November 6, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, hackathon participants are invited to an optional Immersion Visit at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. You’ll hear from people with lived experience and Perkins educators, tour the campus, and explore assistive technology and other tools that support accessible learning. The visit will help you understand learners’ experiences and the challenges you’ll work on during the hackathon. Light snacks will be provided. ### Is there a Pre-Hackathon experience? expand\_more Yes. You are also invited to an optional Pre-Hackathon Immersion Visit at Perkins School for the Blind on Friday, November 6, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM in Watertown, MA. The visit will offer real-world context for the challenges you will explore during the Hackathon. Light snacks will be provided. ### Who can apply? expand\_more Anyone with an interest in accessible learning: students, educators, designers, engineers, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience of learning differences. We welcome applicants from any institution. No technical background is needed. ### I have another question. Who do I ask? expand\_more Email us at ### Is the event accessible? expand\_more Yes. Captioning, plain-language materials, a resting room, and quiet spaces are standard, and we collect individual access needs before the event so supports are ready when you arrive. Contact us at \[email\] with any questions about specific needs. ### How much does it cost to attend? expand\_more Participation is free. Lunch is provided on both Hackathon days, and light snacks will be provided during the optional Pre-Hackathon Immersion Visit at Perkins on Friday. ### When and where is the event? expand\_more November 7–8, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day, at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, MA. Participants attend both days in person. ### Do I need to know how to code? expand\_more No. You do not need to know how to code. The hackathon is open to everyone, and teams will bring together people with different skills and backgrounds. ### Do I need a team to be part of the Hackathon? expand\_more ## Stay in touch Have a question we didn't answer? We'd love to hear from you. [ draftsEmail us: AILearningDifferences@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:AILearningDifferences@gse.harvard.edu) [Instagram: chevron\_right](https://www.instagram.com/)