Veronica With Four Eyes

Accessible Flashcards For Low Vision

Many of my friends with low vision use flashcards for studying but have varying access preferences for using them. Some of my friends prefer to create physical cards that they can hold in their hands or place on another surface like a floor or desk, while others prefer to create digital flashcards or audio-enabled flashcards for blind and low vision access so that they don’t have to strain their eyes.

Flashcards can be a great study strategy for students with low vision when they are available in accessible formats, and I’ve used a variety of strategies over the years when studying for my classes. Here are my favorite tips and strategies to use when creating accessible flashcards for low vision students, including options for physical flashcards and digital flashcards.

Creating accessible flashcards for low vision

Considerations for accessible flashcards: size and color

When creating or purchasing accessible flashcards for low vision, consider how large the cards will need to be as well as the student’s preferred color(s) for reading text. 4-inch by 6-inch index cards are portable and multiple cards can be shown simultaneously on the student’s work surface, which can be useful for reviewing a large amount of content. For students that benefit from larger print, 8.5-inch by 11-inch printer paper may be preferred for flashcards that include graphics, equations with subscripts/superscripts, or for displaying larger font sizes; these can be placed in a binder for easy storage.

White backgrounds can create glare for some students with low vision, which can make text more challenging to read for long periods of time. When choosing flashcard colors, make sure that the text stands out against the background and that it does not appear washed out or faded; avoid monochrome color schemes where the text and background are the same color. Examples of flashcard colors that can support readability include off-white, sepia and yellow.

For students that benefit from darker background colors, another high-contrast option is to use white markers to write on black paper, which may be marketed as acrylic markers, gel markers, chalkboard markers, or paint pens.

Creating handwritten flashcards for low vision

When creating handwritten flashcards for low vision audiences, it’s important to create a “test card” to ensure that both sides of the card can be read by the student with low vision. Ensure that dark ink colors do not bleed through or become visible through paper, and verify that the text stands out against the background color. Index cards or cardstock have a heavier weight compared to computer paper, and are less likely to bleed through the page.

When labeling flashcards, write across the length of the card and fill up all available space so that the text or image(s) can be easily recognized when viewing materials at a distance. This may be easier to do in a landscape (horizontal) orientation, though students with visual field deficits may prefer the portrait (vertical) orientation.

Printing large print flashcards

For students that have trouble with reading handwriting, flashcards can also be created using digital templates and printed in color or black and white. While printing directly on small index cards is not an option, there are several other options for printing large print flashcards, including:

  • Printing flashcards on 8.5-inch by 11-inch cardstock and cutting the cards to size. 90-lb or 100-lb cardstock works with many printers, but check the printer manual for information about the maximum weight and if any additional configurations are needed. In my experience, my printer could print single-sided flashcards, but not double-sided cardstock pages.
  • Print flashcard labels and cut/glue them onto index cards.
  • Purchase perforated pages or other labels that can be used specifically for printing flashcards.

The most effective workflow I have found for printing flashcards is to use the Mailings tab in Microsoft Word. Here are step-by-step instructions for creating flashcards in Microsoft Word:

  1. Make a card list in Word. Use a 2-column table: front text in column 1 and back text in column 2. Save the file.
  2. Open a new Word file. Go to Mailings > Start Mail Merge > Labels. Choose the label vendor and product number, or choose New Label if needed to create a label table. Save this as the front page.
  3. Select inside the first label. Go to Mailings > Select Recipients > Use an Existing List and open the card list file.
  4. Go to Mailings > Insert Merge Field and insert the front field. Format the first label, then choose Update Labels and Preview Results.
  5. Save a copy of this file as the back page. In that file, insert the back field in the first label, then choose Update Labels.
  6. Print one test sheet on plain paper. Print the back page on the other side and check alignment.
  7. If the test looks correct, print the full set and cut the cards apart.

Sources for large print flashcards

While many flashcards incorporate larger print sizes for readability, it can be challenging to find large print flashcards or accessible flashcards for students with low vision, especially for older students. Keywords and resources that I have used to find accessible flashcards include:

  • CVI flashcards
  • High contrast flashcards
  • LessonPix flashcards
  • CVI Book Nook materials
  • Braille flashcards or dual media flashcards
  • Low vision flashcards on Teachers Pay Teachers and similar online stores

Below, I have also linked an article on creating tactile flashcards that incorporate braille and tactile art.

Tips for reading flashcards with low vision

When working with physical flashcards, position cards so that they are easy to see without straining eyes. For some students, this might involve placing cards on a solid-colored surface like a desk or floor, holding a deck of cards close to the face, or placing cards on a vertical surface like a dry-erase board, music stand, slanted surface, or on the wall. If the cards have a glossy or reflective surface, avoid positioning them directly under overhead lights as this can create glare.

Some of my teachers would have students work with partners to review flashcards, where one student would hold up the card for another student to read. Unsurprisingly, this didn’t work well for me because I could accurately read the cards from a distance! One of my elementary school teachers would have me review flashcards with another student in the hallway because it was quieter, less cluttered, and easier for my partner and I to work together, while another teacher would have us place cards on desks and flip them over to review the answer.

To keep flashcards organized, many of my friends will store flashcards in a pencil pouch or other high-contrast container, or place cards that they have mastered in a separate bag so they can focus on reviewing other cards. I find it helpful to secure stacks of cards with a rubber band or hair elastic to keep cards from scattering.

Resource links

Related links from Veroniiiica

Accessible flashcard resources for low vision: Websites and apps

Audio Flash app for iOS and Android

Audio Flash is a hands-free audio flashcard app for iOS and Android devices that enables users to answer flashcard questions with their voice. Audio Flash supports system color schemes, screen readers like VoiceOver, and large font sizes for app menus. However, the flashcards themselves are not displayed on the screen; they are only read out loud.

Users can create their own flashcards in the Audio Flash app, import Anki flashcard sets (.apkg files), or import Audio Flash decks via URL within the app. For the free plan, users can have one flashcard deck at a time, and the premium plan ($1/month) or unlimited plan ($2/month) allow for additional cards.

Create custom flashcards with Alexa Skill Blueprints

Alexa Skill Blueprints are a free official Amazon tool that allow users to create their own custom Amazon Alexa skills, including custom flashcards. To create voice-activated flashcards for Amazon Alexa devices:

  1. Open Alexa Skill Blueprints and sign in with the same Amazon account used on the Alexa device. Skills made with Blueprints are linked to that account and are available on devices connected to it.
  2. Choose the Flashcards blueprint and select Make your own.
  3. Enter a topic name. This is what Alexa announces when the skill starts.
  4. Add cards. For each card, enter a term, a definition, and an optional hint. The term is the prompt. The definition is the spoken answer. Cards can be edited at any time and unlimited cards can be added.
  5. Choose how the skill will run. In review mode, Alexa reads the terms and definitions. In test mode, Alexa reads the term and waits for the spoken definition.
  6. Add optional settings, such as a welcome message, encouraging messages, or an exit message.
  7. Save and finish. The skill is usually ready within minutes. Open it by saying, “Alexa, open my flashcards.” If the skill does not open right away, check the skill status on the Blueprints site and wait a few minutes if needed.

Accessibyte Quick Cards accessible flashcards

Part of the Accessibyte software collection, Quick Cards is an accessible flashcard application for blind and low vision users that runs directly in the web browser, with no downloads required. Each flashcard has two sides, and the cards can be read visually with large print or read out loud with audio. Accessibyte also supports multilingual content, a built-in card library for browsing existing decks, and a flashcard creator tool. For home users, Quick Cards is available as part of the All Access Accessibyte plan for $99.95 USD per year.

Quizlet

Quizlet is a free website that provides users with access to digital flashcards, textbook solutions, and other study tools that is frequently used by college students. Users have the option to create their own flashcards or browse sets created by other members and review flashcards, complete practice tests, or play study games. Quizlet Plus is also available for about $45 a year, where users get unlimited access to practice tests and additional study tools. Quizlet flashcard sets can be viewed with or without a Quizlet account, though a free account is needed to access the Quizlet mobile application, to create flashcards, or to use additional study tools.

I use Quizlet frequently because it is used a lot at my university, though sometimes I have to turn on invert colors or use screen magnification to read cards that don’t have a lot of text on them; paradoxically, it is easier for me to access cards with a lot of text on them when using large print. There is a speaker icon that can read cards out loud, though the audio does not play automatically/continuously; to play/pause audio on a card, press A on the keyboard.

Create flashcards with PowerPoint or Slides

Another option for creating large print flashcards is to use PowerPoint or Slides, which can be useful for in-class activities or displaying digital flashcards on a large monitor. PowerPoint supports audio or voice recordings to slides, which can be useful when listening to word pronunciations or for creating personalized flashcards. Both Slides and PowerPoint also support adding alt text for images, which can be helpful for screen reader or text-to-speech users.

The easiest way to create flashcards as slides is by having one slide show the question and another slide show the answer; another option is to use the trigger animation effect to hide the answer on a slide. I’ve also linked a post below from Paths to Literacy about creating flashcards for students with CVI.

To create the trigger animation effect in PowerPoint:

  1. Add a new slide and use the Title Slide or Section Header layout. Write the question in the top text box and the answer in the lower text box
  2. Using Insert > Shape, draw a rectangle over the answer. Use the same color as the slide background so the answer is hidden.
  3. Select the cover rectangle. Go to Animations > Add Animation > Exit > Disappear. In the Animations pane, open Trigger and choose On Click of the cover shape. Clicking the cover will reveal the answer.
  4. Optional: add an answer animation. Select the answer box, add Entrance > Appear, and set it to happen at the same time as the cover disappears.
  5. Test the slide. Start Slide Show with F5 or Shift+F5. Click the cover to reveal the answer. Press the right arrow key to move to the next slide.
  6. Copy the slide for more cards. Duplicate the finished slide, then change the question and answer text. The trigger animation will stay in place.

There are also tools online for converting PowerPoint presentations to flashcards with AI, but many of these cards do not support large print sizes or only export as images, which can be difficult to read.

Resources for creating and searching for digital flashcards

When I create my own digital flashcards, I typically use Excel to create a two-column table, where each row is a single flashcard. To export the file as flashcards, I use File > Save as > Text (tab delimited) to create a tab-separated values file, which can then be imported into another application like Quizlet or Anki. Sometimes, I will copy and paste text columns from Word into Excel instead of drafting flashcards in Excel.

To search for accessible digital flashcards, here are some helpful keywords, file types, and strategies to use:

  • For university students, search for the school name, class name/number, assignment name, or unit names to find flashcards created by other students.
  • Search for Anki decks/flashcard decks (.apkg), which can be used in a variety of programs. The Anki app itself is not very accessible for screen reader users, but does have text-to-speech add-ons that can be enabled on the desktop applications. The Anki web application is generally easier to use but requires the desktop application as a companion.
  • Search for .txt files using filetype:txt and add the word flashcards to find txt files that can be imported into Quizlet or other flashcard programs
  • QuizFreely does not have large print flashcards, but I have used their flashcard lists to create my own accessible flashcards or exported them to other applications.

In my experience, AI-generated flashcards are often challenging to read and I have noticed several errors when creating AI-generated flashcard decks for the first time. When using tools like Gemini to create flashcards, carefully review questions/answers for accuracy and focus on generating misconception traps and linking narratives instead of just asking for flashcards on a topic. Most importantly, treat AI as an assistant, not as a tutor that has all the correct answers.

Resource links

Related links from Veroniiiica

More study resources and tips for creating flashcards with low vision

Tips for creating accessible flashcards for low vision students, including resources for physical flashcards and digital flashcards

Published December 3, 2019. Updated June 2026

Reference
Lewis, Veronica. (2019). Accessible Flashcards For Low Vision. Veroniiiica. https://veroniiiica.com/accessible-flashcards-for-low-vision/ (Accessed on July 1, 2026)
Filed Under: Assistive Technology, College Transition, Compensatory Skills, CVI, Education, Expanded Core Curriculum, Low Vision, Sensory Efficiency, Websites and Apps
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