As a student with low vision, I have found that the easiest way for me to explain my experiences with math classes is to say that my brain loves math, but my eyes do not. Math is a highly visual subject that requires me to read every character and symbol carefully, work with other visual tools such as calculators or graphing software, and spend a lot of time typing or precisely writing information by hand. Because math is so highly visual, I often need extra time and practice when it comes to taking accurate notes or learning new topics; over the years, this has involved pre-learning concepts, practicing after class, going to tutors, and doing extra homework problems at home.
One particular strategy that has been really helpful is using free math websites and tools that go over various concepts in-depth, provide step-by-step tutorials, and that I can access with large font sizes on my computer or tablet. Beyond my own math classes, I have also discovered several free math websites that I have shared with students and clients over the years that cover other areas of technology for math education, including digital manipulatives, accessible calculators, equation editors, and more. The vast majority of these tools were originally created as instructional technologies for sighted students (instead of assistive technology for students with visual impairments), but can be useful for students with low vision.
Here is an updated version of my favorite math websites for low vision students that can be used in a variety of K-12 and/or college math classes, organized by tool category. Each entry describes what the tool does and notes the accessibility features that may be relevant for low vision students, including screen magnification, high contrast, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and sonification. Accessibility varies widely across these tools, so it is worth previewing each one with the assistive technology the student actually uses before assigning it.
Inclusion of a tool or website in this list is not an endorsement or guarantee that it will be suitable for a particular student or classroom environment.
Virtual manipulatives for math
Polypad
Polypad is a free library of virtual math manipulatives covering number tiles, fraction bars, polygons, algebra tiles, probability tools, and more. Polypad offers options for keyboard access and tools that can be used with screen magnification, and also includes a sonification feature: polygons, fraction bars, and number bars can be played as sounds.
Manipulatives: Math Learning Center
The Math Learning Center provides free browser and tablet-based manipulatives, including Number Pieces, Number Frames, Number Rack, and Fractions. The manipulatives use large, simple shapes against a plain background, which scales reasonably with browser zoom and screen magnification. Most apps include a full-screen mode that reduces surrounding visual clutter.
Toy Theater
Toy Theater hosts a free collection of elementary math manipulatives, including base ten blocks, counters, number lines, and fraction bars. The visuals are oversized and high contrast by default. There is no published accessibility statement, but the click and drag interface generally works with browser zoom and screen magnification.
Oryx Learning Virtual Money Manipulatives
Oryx Learning provides virtual money manipulatives for practicing coin and bill identification, counting change, and making purchases. The coin and bill images are larger and more saturated in color than physical currency, which may help students who have trouble distinguishing small denominations or similar-colored coins.
Manipulatives from CoolMath4Kids
CoolMath4Kids hosts a small set of virtual manipulatives, including base ten blocks and a number line. The manipulatives themselves are simple and scale up with browser zoom, though the surrounding page contains ads and navigation that can interfere with magnification. Increasing browser zoom to around 200 percent before launching each manipulative may reduce that clutter.
Visnos Interactive Teaching Clock
Visnos offers a free analog and digital teaching clock for practicing telling time. The clock face is large, customizable, and includes a full-screen mode that removes the surrounding webpage, which can help when the goal is to focus on reading the hour and minute hands.
Resource links
- Polypad, The Mathematical Playground
- Polypad Accessibility Statement
- Manipulatives, Math Learning Center
- Virtual Manipulatives, Toy Theater
- Virtual Money Manipulatives, Oryx Learning
- Manipulatives, CoolMath4Kids
- Visnos Interactive Teaching Clock
Related links
- Adapting Coin Activities: Math Problems For Low Vision
- Using Digital 3D Models With Low Vision
- How To Create Tactile Images With Everyday Objects
Math games and math simulations
Cyberchase Railway Hero, PBS KIDS
Cyberchase Railway Hero is a math game from PBS KIDS that was designed with accessibility in mind. It includes an audio-only play mode, audio descriptions, and in-game controls to adjust color, contrast, and text size, which can allow students with low vision or blindness to play without requiring a sighted partner to describe the screen.
PhET Interactive Simulations
PhET Interactive Simulations, from the University of Colorado Boulder, is a library of free interactive math and science simulations. Many of the newer simulations include accessibility features such as alternative input methods, sonification, interactive descriptions, voicing, and pan and zoom. The interactive highlights feature outlines the focused element with a high-contrast border, which may help low vision users keep track of where they are on the screen.
Cool Math Games
Cool Math Games is a collection of free browser-based logic, strategy, and arithmetic games. Many games are visually busy or reaction-based, but puzzle and number-focused games tend to work better with browser zoom and high-contrast browser themes. Accessibility varies game to game, so previewing each title before assigning it is recommended.
Visual Fractions
Visual Fractions is a website with fraction lessons, games, and worksheets that use large, simple visuals. The minimal page design has relatively little content surrounding the activities, which makes browser zoom and screen magnification easier to use.
Citizen Math
Citizen Math provides free real-world math lessons built around slide decks for student and teacher discussion. Lessons download as standard slide files in Google Slides, PowerPoint, or PDF format, and can be adapted to apply larger text, higher contrast, or other display preferences for offline access.
Sembl: Curated Math Playlists
Sembl curates short math playlists drawn from a range of free websites. Because it is an aggregator, accessibility depends on the underlying resources rather than Sembl itself. It is more useful as a discovery tool, with each linked activity evaluated individually for student use.
Would You Rather Math
Would You Rather Math posts daily image-based prompts asking students to choose between two scenarios and justify their reasoning with math. The prompts are image heavy and do not consistently include alt text, so they may need to be paired with a brief written description for students using screen readers or text-only access. Most prompts can be described in a sentence or two.
iDevBooks Math Apps
iDevBooks is a collection of iPad math apps focused on standard algorithms, including long division, partial sums, and the box method. Many of the apps inherit iOS Zoom and VoiceOver, and the layouts tend to be uncluttered, which can support use with screen magnification.
Resource links
- Cyberchase Railway Hero, PBS KIDS
- Math, PhET Simulations
- PhET Accessibility Features
- Cool Math Games
- Visual Fractions
- Citizen Math: Real World Math Problems
- Sembl: Curated Math Playlists
- Would You Rather Math
- iDevBooks Math Apps
Related links
- How To Adapt Puzzle Games For Low Vision
- Accessible Dice For Low Vision
- How I Use Quizlet With Low Vision
Math lessons and practice
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free math resources for grades 6 through 12 and many topics that appear in college-level math as well. The site includes captioned videos, written explanations, and practice problems. Videos can be streamed to a TV via Google Cast or other casting tools, and transcripts are available for students who need to read along at their own pace. Khan Academy generally works with screen readers and screen magnification, and the practice problems are also available through the Khan Academy mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Purplemath
Purplemath provides free resources for high school and college algebra and pre-algebra. The tutorials are primarily text-based and use a single-column layout, which keeps visual clutter low and works well alongside step-by-step reading. The site also includes study guides for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and CLEP, as well as some state-specific resources.
Cool Math
The Cool Math website, distinct from Cool Math Games, provides explanations of pre-algebra, algebra, pre-calculus, and trigonometry concepts. It uses a high-contrast dark theme with large, bold text by default, and is generally compatible with screen readers and text-to-speech. Images and graphs can be opened in a new tab for further magnification, though some may appear blurry at high magnification powers. Users who prefer a light background can invert display colors at the operating system level.
Kate’s Math Lessons
Kate’s Math Lessons is a free website created by a middle and high school math teacher, offering written lessons, practice quizzes, short videos, and digital activities covering Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. The lessons are primarily text-based with worked examples, which can be read alongside screen magnification or a text-to-speech tool, and the practice quizzes provide immediate feedback without requiring timed responses.
Resource links
Related links
- How I Use WebAssign With Low Vision
- MyLab Math Accessibility and Low Vision
- ALEKS Accessibility For Visual Impairment
Calculators and math tools
Desmos Calculator
Desmos is a free browser-based graphing calculator that runs on any internet-connected device, with apps also available for iOS and Android. Desmos has documented accessibility support including screen reader compatibility, screen magnification, high-contrast displays, and keyboard navigation. The interface is relatively uncluttered, which can support use with magnification.
Desmos Audio Trace (Sonification)
Audio Trace is the sonification feature inside the Desmos Graphing Calculator. As the cursor moves along a function, pitch changes correspond to the y-value, and Desmos announces key features such as roots, maxima, and intercepts. Audio Trace can be used alongside the visual graph as a check on curve interpretation, or for nonvisual access.
GeoGebra Classic
GeoGebra Classic is a free graphing, geometry, and algebra calculator that handles more advanced functionality than a standard scientific calculator. GeoGebra publishes accessibility documentation aligned with WCAG 2.2 AA and supports full keyboard-only navigation, screen readers, and guidelines for using refreshable braille displays.
MyScript Calculator
MyScript Calculator accepts handwritten equations on a touchscreen and converts them into typed equations, instead of having students type on a keyboard or press on-screen buttons. Users can write with a finger or stylus, and the app displays output in large print sizes.
Windows Calculator
The built-in Windows Calculator works with Windows accessibility features including Magnifier, Narrator, high-contrast themes, and large text settings. It also includes a graphing mode for visualizing simple functions.
iPhone and iPad Calculator
The built-in iPhone Calculator inherits iOS accessibility settings, including VoiceOver, Zoom, Display and Text Size, and Smart Invert. A scientific mode is available by rotating the phone to landscape orientation. A built-in Calculator app is also available on iPad starting with iPadOS 18, and inherits the same iOS accessibility settings.
Microsoft OneNote Math Features
OneNote’s Math Assistant allows users to enter an equation, see step-by-step solutions, and generate a graph from the result, all inside a notebook page where font size, color, and contrast can be adjusted. Math Assistant also works with Immersive Reader to read the steps aloud in large print.
ClassCalc Calculator
ClassCalc offers a free browser-based calculator that requires no downloads and supports keyboard input in addition to on-screen buttons, with a simple visual layout. A paid Classrooms plan adds a test-safe lockdown mode for use during assessments; the lockdown feature is not included in the free version.
Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that handles math at every level from middle school through college. Entering a math problem returns the answer, a step display, and an associated graph. Results are presented in plain text that can be read and copied by screen readers, and they can also be downloaded for use in other documents.
Wolfram Alpha is not a substitute for a calculator, but it is useful for examining how a result is reached. A Pro subscription adds a step-by-step virtual tutor feature and is available for $5 a month when billed annually, or $9.99 a month when billed monthly.
Voice Input with Gemini, Alexa, or Siri
Voice assistants such as Google Gemini, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri can perform calculations, unit conversions, and simple word problems via voice command. Voice input removes the visual step of locating a calculator or symbol toolbar, which can be helpful for students experiencing visual fatigue or working without a screen in view.
Resource links
- Desmos Graphing Calculator
- Desmos Accessibility
- GeoGebra Classic
- GeoGebra Accessibility – Help Center
- MyScript Calculator
- Use the Calculator in Windows – Microsoft Support
- Use the Basic Calculator on iPhone, Apple Support
- Math Assistant in OneNote, Microsoft Support
- ClassCalc
- Wolfram Alpha
Related links
- Five Accessible Calculator Apps For Low Vision
- Five Apps I Use In Statistics Classes As A Low Vision Student
- How I Use Graph With Low Vision
- Adapting Accessible Z-Tables: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
- How I Use Microsoft Immersive Reader With Low Vision
Digital whiteboards and workspaces
iDroo Online Whiteboard
iDroo is a free online collaborative whiteboard that includes a built-in equation editor. Equations inserted through the editor can be resized and displayed at a much larger size than the typed text elsewhere on the board, which is useful for students who need math content displayed at a larger scale than surrounding annotations.
Microsoft Whiteboard
Microsoft Whiteboard is available on computers, tablets, and phones, allowing the workspace to be positioned within the student’s field of vision. Bold, saturated ink colors such as black, blue, and red provide high contrast against the default white background. Boards can also be exported as image files for insertion into OneNote, Word, or other tools for further annotation.
Math Whiteboard
Math Whiteboard is a free browser-based whiteboard built around math notation, with a built-in equation editor, graphing tools, and handwriting recognition. The workspace supports browser zoom and includes a dark mode for higher contrast.
Modmath
Modmath is a free iPad app designed for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. It provides a digital grid that places each digit and symbol in its own cell, which can make long division, multi-digit addition, and algebra setups easier to read and align.
MyScript Math
MyScript Math converts handwritten equations into rendered typed math. Like MyScript Calculator, it requires the student to be able to write legibly on a touchscreen, which is the main caveat for low vision students. The rendered output scales to any size without loss of clarity.
Whiteboard App, The Math Learning Center
The Math Learning Center’s free Whiteboard app is a simple browser and tablet-based whiteboard with shape tools, text, and image insertion. The minimal interface keeps the workspace relatively uncluttered, which can support screen magnification.
Resource links
- iDroo Online Whiteboard
- Microsoft Whiteboard
- Math Whiteboard
- Modmath
- MyScript Math
- Whiteboard App, The Math Learning Center
Related links
- How I Use Microsoft Whiteboard With Low Vision
- How To Make Things On The Board Easier To See
- How I Show Work For Math With Low Vision and Dysgraphia
Creating tables, charts, and visualizations for math class
Google Drawings
Google Drawings can be used to create simple diagrams, tables, and charts for math assignments. It inherits Google Workspace accessibility features, including keyboard shortcuts, screen reader support, and integration with Chrome’s built-in zoom.
Canva Graphs
Canva’s graph maker can be used to create large-print, high-contrast versions of bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts for reports or presentations. Starting from a preset template and customizing colors and font sizes is generally faster than building a chart from scratch. Charts can be exported as PDF or PNG.
Recommended Charts in Microsoft Excel
Recommended Charts can turn a data table into a chart that can then be customized for accessibility with larger fonts, high-contrast colors, and patterned fills as alternatives to color-only differentiation. Recommended Charts can also identify patterns in data or trends that may be of interest. Graph Maker is another Excel feature that offers similar functionality with Copilot integration.
Disclosure: I interned at Microsoft in 2019 and worked on the Recommended Charts feature for Excel Online, which later became Analyze Data.
Create-a-Graph, NCES
Create-a-Graph, from the National Center for Education Statistics, is a free tool for making bar, line, pie, area, and XY graphs. The interface is minimal and dated in appearance, but the lack of surrounding content makes it relatively easy to use with browser zoom.
Piktochart
Piktochart is an infographic and chart maker that can be used to produce large-print reports. It works best when starting from a template and customizing colors and font sizes to fit the student’s display preferences.
Resource links
- Google Drawings
- Canva Graphs
- Create a Chart with Recommended Charts, Microsoft Support
- Create-a-Graph, NCES
- Piktochart
Related links
- Adapting Accessible Charts: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Adapting Math Sketches: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Adapting Coordinate Planes: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
Creating accessible digital equations
Write an equation in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word’s built-in equation editor can be used to type and display math equations in whatever font and size works for the reader. Equations created this way can be saved as MathML, which preserves accessibility for screen readers and other assistive technology rather than treating the equation as an image.
Equatio
Equatio is an equation editor with documented accessibility features. It generates alt text for equations, supports speech input, handwriting input, and predictive typing, and integrates with Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and the browser. The combination of input methods can support students who find traditional symbol toolbars difficult to use.
MathType
MathType is an equation editor that integrates with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and many learning management systems. MathType outputs equations as MathML, which screen readers and read-aloud tools can interpret as math content rather than as an image or skipped element.
Mathpix
Mathpix Snip captures a photo or screenshot of a math equation, whether printed in a textbook or written on a board, and converts it into LaTeX, MathML, or rendered math. This can be useful for converting inaccessible printed math into a format that can be enlarged, edited, or read aloud.
Goodnotes Handwritten to Rendered Math
Goodnotes includes a feature that converts handwritten math equations into typed, rendered math. This may be useful for students who take notes by hand on an iPad but need a clean version that can be pasted into a screen-reader-friendly document. The feature requires legible handwriting to work reliably, which is the main caveat for low vision users.
Math Dictation in Microsoft Office
Math Dictation in the Microsoft 365 equation editor accepts spoken input, for example “x squared plus two x minus three equals zero,” and types the corresponding equation into the document. Voice input removes the visual step of locating symbols in a toolbar.
FX Graph (Efofex)
FX Graph is a graphing program for drawing and annotating math diagrams, marketed primarily to teachers. It does not advertise specific low vision features, but it allows customization of colors, line weights, and font sizes, which can be used to produce print materials at a chosen size and contrast.
Resource links
- Write an Equation or Formula, Microsoft Support
- Equatio by Everway
- MathType Equation Editor by Wiris
- Mathpix
- Convert your Handwritten Math to Rendered Math, Goodnotes Support
- Math Dictation and Math in Office
- FX Graph by Efofex
Related links
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
- How I Take Math Tests With Double Vision
Statistics and data science
Tuva
Tuva is a free data literacy platform built with universal design principles. It supports keyboard access and includes sonification of graphs, allowing datasets to be explored by ear rather than relying on color-coded scatterplots or small chart labels.
CODAP
The Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP) is a free in-browser tool for data exploration. CODAP itself is not purpose-built for low vision, but the Concord Consortium is developing the DAVAI plugin to add voice control and sonification for blind and low vision learners.
Quorum Programming Language
Quorum is described by its developers as a “born accessible” programming language, meaning accessibility was part of the original design. For statistics and data science work, Quorum’s charts are screen-reader compatible and use color palettes selected to be discriminable for users with low vision and color blindness.
What’s Going On in This Graph? from The New York Times
This New York Times weekly series posts a single graph and asks students to interpret it. The graphs are static images, so they pair best with the written description usually included in the article body. Saving the image and opening it in a separate reader can also support closer inspection at higher magnification.
From Data to Viz
From Data to Viz is a reference website that helps users choose a chart type for a given dataset through a decision tree. The site is mostly static, which makes it relatively easy to use with browser zoom and screen magnification, and recommendation pages link out to example charts and code.
Analyze Data in Excel
The Analyze Data feature in Excel generates summary statistics, charts, and pattern observations from a selected data range. Output appears in the standard Excel sidebar, which means it works with Narrator, Magnifier, and high-contrast themes the same way as the rest of Excel.
TwoTone Data Sonification
TwoTone, from Datavized, is a free tool that turns datasets into music. Each column becomes a track, with pitch and rhythm representing values. Sonification can be a useful way to perceive trends and outliers in a dataset without relying on visual chart elements.
Skew The Script
Skew The Script publishes free real-world AP Statistics and Algebra lessons that download as PowerPoint, PDF, or Word files. PDF files are generally less accessible for students with low vision, but the materials themselves can be adapted in accessible formats for students with low vision.
FX Stat (Efofex)
FX Stat is Efofex’s secondary-level statistics tool for teachers, designed to draw box plots, histograms, scatterplots, and similar diagrams. Like FX Graph, it does not advertise low vision features, but the customizable colors, line weights, and font sizes can be used to produce accessible print materials.
Resource links
- The Data Literacy Company, Tuva
- CODAP
- DAVAI Project, Concord Consortium
- The Quorum Programming Language
- What’s Going On in This Graph?, The New York Times
- From Data to Viz
- Analyze Data in Excel, Microsoft Support
- TwoTone Data Sonification
- Skew The Script
- FX Stat, Efofex
Related links
- Implementing UDL For Data Science Lessons: Free Resource List
- Accessible Python IDEs For Low Vision
- Pre-Teaching Programming Languages To Visually Impaired Students
- Tips For Teaching R Programming To A Low Vision Student
- Free Accessible Coding Resources With Large Print Options
Beyond free math websites: More math resources for low vision students
- Science And Math Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes
- Virginia SOL Test Accommodations For Low Vision
- Math Test Accommodations For Low Vision
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
Published February 12, 2018. Updated May 2026