As a student with low vision and dysgraphia, I tend to use a lot of mid-tech and high-tech assistive technology tools like keyboards and tablets/computers for writing and notetaking. That said, I still use several low-tech assistive technologies for writing like dry-erase boards or whiteboards for writing, and have at least one dry-erase board on my desk and in my backpack at all times. Here is how I use dry-erase boards with low vision and helpful strategies for using whiteboards with visually impaired students.
How I use dry-erase boards with dysgraphia and low vision
I find it much easier to write with on a dry-erase board with markers compared to writing on paper with pens because I don’t apply as much pressure to the page when using markers and it’s easier for me to position the board at a comfortable angle. Plus, if I make a mistake, I don’t have to cross something out or try to figure out if I can erase it; I can just quickly wipe it off the board and keep going.
Some of the most common ways I use dry-erase boards with dysgraphia and low vision include:
- Working out math problems and showing work for math.
- Drawing simple graphs or charts.
- Writing down short notes or login codes.
- Creating a to-do list or step-by-step instructions.
- Outlining posts or papers without using the computer.
- Writing pseudocode or short code snippets for later use— sometimes it’s easier to think without looking at a screen.
- Completing in-class activities or answering questions in class (especially math or statistics questions).
It’s worth noting that I still use high-tech assistive technology tools for many of these tasks, and that it is generally easier for me to read typed text compared to handwriting. Dry-erase boards are just one of the many tools in my “tech toolbox” that I have available, and I often choose different tools based on whatever task I am working on or based on other factors like fatigue, availability of technology, how much time I have to write, and if it is important for me to write every letter/character/symbol/number with precision so anybody can read it.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- How I Manage Dysgraphia In Online Classes
- No-Tech Solutions For Drawing Graphs With Low Vision And Dysgraphia
- Pre-Teaching Programming Languages To Visually Impaired Students
Choosing a dry-erase board with low vision: board size
Visual impairment is a spectrum, not a binary, and the best dry-erase board for low vision students is the board that the student will actually use. With that in mind, I frequently reach for 11-inch by 14-inch whiteboards when writing with low vision, because it is easy for me to position them comfortably and write while sitting at my desk. I have three of these boards at my desk at any given time, and generally prefer using these smaller boards over one giant oversized board, especially since I have trouble reading multi-column layouts with double vision.
One important consideration for choosing dry-erase boards with low vision is to consider how much content someone will be writing on the board, as well as their preferred orientation. I prefer to write in a vertical orientation that mimics writing on paper, so narrow boards (such as those designed for a locker or small surface) are much more challenging to write on since I can’t write as much on them.
When I was interning at a major tech company, I frequently used the whiteboards on my wall for writing notes, with a preference for the large horizontal board located directly behind the office door. I found it easier to write neatly as well as make sure I was writing large letters when using this board, which was helpful for keeping track of notes or diagrams that I would need to reference later. I couldn’t see the board from my desk, but I typically have to use a magnifier or stand close to the board to see what is written anyway.
Related links
- How I Set Up My College Desk With Low Vision
- How I Set Up My Tech Internship Desk: PM Intern With Low Vision
- Adapting Page Layouts: Math Problems and Low Vision
Positioning dry erase boards for low vision access
One of the most important factors to consider when positioning dry-erase boards with low vision is glare from overhead lights, especially on shiny or glossy surfaces. My favorite way to write on whiteboards with dysgraphia is to use a slanted surface or to place the whiteboard at an angle, which makes it easier for me to write neatly and position the board under the bifocal in my glasses.
I preferred the wall-mounted dry-erase board behind my internship office door because the overhead lights did not create glare or make it challenging to read from the light-colored surface; this was a sharp contrast to another dry-erase board in my office that had significant glare in the center of the board and made it challenging to see.
Related links
- Reduce Glare In The Classroom For Low Vision Students
- Environmental Accommodations For Low Vision Students
- Lighting And Low Vision
- Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision
Selecting dry-erase markers for low vision
When using dry-erase boards with low vision, make sure to select high contrast ink colors that are easy to see against the background. Using light colored or faded markers when writing on a dry-erase board can make it difficult or impossible to read information with low vision, as these colors often do not provide adequate contrast against the white background. Using vibrant and saturated markers in colors like black, purple, or blue provide a higher contrast display against the white or off-white whiteboard; when using a black dry-erase board, neon yellow or white are my preferred colors.
As for marker thickness and dry-erase marker tips, I prefer to use bullet tip dry-erase markers that have a rounded tip, which I find easier to write with compared to chisel tips. Ultra-fine markers mimic the thickness of pens that I use for writing on paper, but may be more challenging to read with low vision if someone is writing a lot of text on the board. I have a link to the Expo markers I currently use below; I find the green harder to see, so I don’t use them for writing.
When teaching students with low vision to use dry-erase markers, have them listen for the “click” of the marker closing to ensure that materials are stored correctly and that the ink does not dry out.
Using the wrong marker on the whiteboard: removing permanent marker
For students that accidentally use permanent marker on a dry-erase board, a helpful strategy is to write on top of the permanent marker with a red dry-erase marker (or any other color) and erase; this often removes the permanent marker from the board. I have found that red works best for this, though other colors can be used as well.
Related links
- Writing Aids For Low Vision: My Personal Superlatives
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- Paper Colors For Low Vision Accessibility
- EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Bullet Tip | Expo
Ensure erased content does not leave streaks or marks
If a dry-erase board is not cleaned properly, it can have smudges, streaks, or “ghost text” that can make it harder to see what is written on the board. I have noticed that built-in dry-erase pen erasers and black felt erasers are more challenging for me to erase cleanly with low vision, so I often use other options for erasing dry-erase boards that don’t require as much hand strength. While I don’t use it every time I erase something, I use dry-erase spray about once a week on my whiteboards (or whenever an eraser is being stubborn) to get them extra clean.
For students with low vision, it may take some practice to learn how to erase dry-erase boards cleanly without streaks, especially since students may not be able to see how their teacher/peers erase their own boards. Model how to erase dry-erase boards by moving the eraser in a horizontal or vertical line across the page, and avoid having students use their sleeve or hands to erase boards.
Consider dry-erase eraser alternatives
Some dry-erase marker erasers can be challenging to use, especially if they blend into common surfaces or smudge marker ink. To make it easier to erase ink (especially on smaller areas of the board), here are examples of dry-erase eraser alternatives I have used with low vision
- Reusable makeup pads come in a variety of high-contrast colors and can be stored in a pencil pouch. Many microfiber reusable makeup pads are also machine washable.
- Baby socks or small socks can be moved across a board or used over the hand/finger.
- Similar to erasers on a pencil, dry-erase erasers or pom-poms can be cut to size and glued to the top of a dry-erase marker for easy access.
- Soft winter gloves can be an option for users who prefer to erase dry-erase boards with their fingers or hands.
- Melamine sponges can be cut to size and used as a whiteboard eraser for cleaning stubborn surfaces, but should be used gently/sparingly as they can degrade the dry-erase sealant over time.
Since ink smudges can make it difficult or impossible to read content, I always have a bottle of dry erase spray nearby for cleaning up smudges and making my board easier to see again. This can be sprayed on the board before using an eraser, or applied with a tissue.
Use dry-erase markers on other surfaces (test first)
When I was shadowing a teacher who had a student with CVI (cortical visual impairment), we noticed that the student had trouble with accessing large print math on paper as well as on their computer screen. The teacher came up with the idea to write math problems on the student’s desk using a dry-erase marker, which the student could read and erase cleanly without leaving streaks or marker residue. The student would also sometimes use the dry-erase marker to write on their own desk, which had less glare compared to their computer screen or paper.
While it is important to test the dry-erase marker and eraser/cleaning solution before use on other surfaces, some examples of other ways I have used dry-erase markers to write with low vision include:
- Adding dry-erase contact paper to a desktop surface, door, or wall to create an oversized whiteboard.
- Using plastic disposable plates as a dry-erase surface; this strategy can be used with colored plates to create a non-white dry-erase board, which may be helpful for students that find white backgrounds harder to look at.
- Vinyl stickers or vinyl spots that can be attached to another surface like a table.
- Place dry-erase tape or wipe-off tape on another surface.
- Shower board.
- Plastic sheet covers with white or colored paper inside.
- Metal surfaces (e.g., filing cabinet or fridge)
I do not generally recommend using clear glass as a dry-erase surface for low vision as this can create glare and may not provide sufficient contrast.
Related links
- Elementary School Classrooms And Low Vision Accessibility
- Middle School Classrooms And Low Vision Accessibility
- How I Decorate My Dorm Room With Low Vision
- My Large Print Music Binder
Pair dry-erase boards with scanning apps or cameras
I often use dry-erase boards to show scratch work for math or statistics problems. Depending on the task, I sometimes re-type my equations in MathML or LaTeX when submitting assignments, or I scan a copy of the dry-erase board as scratch work. I used to use Microsoft Lens for this since it had a dedicated whiteboard scanner, but switched to using the OneDrive scanning app, my phone camera, or other scanning apps when Lens shut down.
Taking a photo of whiteboards is another strategy I use for taking notes or saving a copy of outlines/scratch work that I can view on a larger screen. I often take a photo of the board with my phone before I erase it in case I need the information later.
Related links
- OCR Scanner Apps For Low Vision Students
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How I Show Work For Math With Low Vision and Dysgraphia
Bonus: Digital whiteboard apps for low vision
Although most of this post focuses on low-tech dry-erase boards, I also use high-tech digital whiteboard apps like Microsoft Whiteboard with an Apple Pencil or other stylus, especially when screensharing. I love that I can pinch-to-zoom and enlarge content or collaborate with someone else in real time to view what they are writing on the board; this is especially helpful when taking notes in class. I generally prefer to use screen mirroring tools or distance magnifiers to read dry-erase boards during class because it’s difficult for me to read handwriting on a whiteboard unless I am within two feet of the board.
Besides Whiteboard, other digital whiteboarding apps I have used with low vision include iDroo, Freeform, Math Whiteboard, and the Zoom whiteboard with high-contrast ink colors and bold tip sizes for digital ink.
Related links
- How I Use Microsoft Whiteboard With Low Vision
- Free Math Websites For Low Vision Students
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
More resources on using dry-erase boards with low vision
- This post primarily focuses on dry-erase boards for personal use. I share strategies for reading information at a distance in How To Make Things On The Board Easier To See
- My handwriting didn’t always look very neat when I was writing on whiteboards. I share several strategies I have used to improve my handwriting over the years in How I Use Technology To Improve Handwriting
- Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder/specific learning disability that impacts handwriting; I describe it as a disconnect between what my brain wants to write and what my hands actually write. Learn more at Dysgraphia Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes
Published May 10, 2017. Updated June 2026