To celebrate the two-year anniversary of my first public posts on Veroniiiica, I published the first version of this post with tips on how to embrace assistive technology with limited funding, including resources for finding free and low-cost assistive technology (AT) solutions for students with low vision and acknowledging that many people go without access to transformative assistive technology tools due to cost or lack of knowledge about what is available. This is still a deeply important topic to me and one of the primary reasons why I started writing so many years ago, so I’ve updated this post to include even more tips for sourcing low-cost assistive technology and helping to ensure individuals with visual impairments have access to the essential tools they need for information access.
Reimagine how different objects can be used for low vision
Several years ago, I was contacted by a family with a student who primarily read print materials visually but needed them in a very large font size. They had received an AT evaluation for tools that could be used to read digital text in large print, but their school district couldn’t afford to purchase the device they wanted until after the school year ended. When brainstorming ways to figure out how to provide this student with the large print they needed, I suggested the family try a teleprompter app on the student’s computer, which was free and would provide a short-term solution for displaying text in very large print. Both the student and their support team were excited that the student could now read text independently and in the font size they needed.
I didn’t think of the teleprompter app as a low vision tool, but I’ve now met many teachers and students that have used this idea to enlarge text content quickly. Thinking “out-of-the-box” is a great way to figure out ways to use everyday objects as assistive technology, and can be helpful for finding short-term solutions to access barriers.
Some other ideas for turning different items into assistive technology for low vision include:
- Creating a typoscope or line guide from a folder, sheet of cardstock, or index card to help with line tracking
- Using dark construction paper, a music stand, or solid-colored mouse pad to provide a simple background for showing objects, which can help with reducing visual complexity
- Drawing simple tactile graphics using flat thumbtacks and cork board for showing lines, or tracing over plastic sheets with a ballpoint pen
- Outlining surfaces or edges with colored painter’s tape, which can help with locating the edges of items in the home or classroom environment
- Creating a slanted surface for writing and reading using a 3″ binder
- Write on the back of disposable plastic plates for an inexpensive dry erase board, which can be helpful for working out math problems and easily erasing mistakes
Related links
- Ways To Use Teleprompter Apps As Assistive Technology
- Adapting Page Layouts: Math Problems and Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- How To Create Tactile Images With Everyday Objects
Create DIY assistive technology solutions
There are so many fantastic DIY assistive technology solutions that can be used for a variety of tasks and environments, such as tactile labels, gripping aids, magnification tools, camera stands, and more. For individuals that are interested in DIY AT and building custom devices without power tools, I highly recommend checking out the work of Dr. Therese Willkomm and her book series “Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes”- I personally own Volume III in the series and love that there are image descriptions included for all of the directions in the accessible copy of the book. I’ve also included a link to a handout on building the Eileen stand, which has been extremely helpful for positioning my whiteboard and other items at my desk.
Related links
- DIY Assistive Technology | @Veron4ica on Pinterest
- Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes Book III – Make Stuff and Love People: Therese Willkomm: 9780989326216: Amazon.com: Books
- AT in Minutes
- Making an Eileen (unh.edu)
Infuse lessons and educational environments with UDL
I was first introduced to the concept of universal design/universal design in learning (UDL) in my 9th grade geography class. Geography is a highly visual subject, and my teacher realized that I had trouble seeing a lot of the detailed images presented during class lectures. Instead of just giving me a copy of the images in an adapted format, they started using high resolution images that could be enlarged for everyone in the class, adding colored highlighting around key areas and adding captions/image descriptions to convey essential visual details. My teacher later said that when they started using these accessible images in my class period, everyone’s grades improved, and a few students discovered they needed to wear glasses or adjust their prescription. I’ve never forgotten this amazing teacher and how they taught me that inclusive design goes beyond helping students that have been identified as having a disability.
I use the phrase “identified as having a disability” here because I doubt that I was the only student in my school who had low vision or visual impairment that wasn’t corrected by glasses, but I was the only one who had received a definitive diagnosis. I’ve met other students over the years who had mentioned dropping out of school or receiving poor grades due to visual impairment that wasn’t diagnosed or detected until they were older, and they would have benefitted from having access to things like adjustable font sizes, high resolution images, and options for accessing content in digital formats as well. Providing these access options to all students can help to normalize different learning styles and promote accessibility for educational materials.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- How To Create High Resolution Images For Low Vision
- Recording Video Lectures For Visually Impaired Students
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
Identify “sustainable” assistive technologies
When choosing assistive technology devices, it is important to identify items that are “sustainable” and can continue to evolve with the user for years to come, and that they won’t be abandoned or deserted after a short period of time. To provide an example from when I was researching video magnifiers for my own personal use, I reviewed the different magnification levels and tested them with various materials in my environment to figure out how many of the “zoom” options would work for me. With one model, I could only read material presented at the second highest magnification power, and it was likely that when/if my vision changed that this device would not provide the magnification power I needed, so I would need to choose something else. In another example, one of my friends received a device that was fantastic for helping them in their senior year of high school, but was of no use by the time they started college, meaning that they had to go through another AT assessment to find a device that would support the high volume of text content they needed for their college classes.
While it’s rare to see assistive technology devices marketed specifically as “sustainable” since the term can mean different things to different populations, some ideas for seeking funding for investing in assistive technology that will be used for years to come include:
- For students transitioning to college or the workplace, Vocational Rehabilitation services that are provided through a state unit may provide assistance with purchasing or funding assistive devices essential to employment or independent living
- Many state assistive technology systems offer a lending library for trialing devices before making a purchase, or offer discounts for purchasing refurbished/recycled assistive technology
- DonorsChoose is a crowdfunding platform for US-based public schools that can be used to fundraise for assistive technology used in the classroom
- Some state units for visual impairment offer grants and funding assistance for purchasing assistive technology for individuals that have an existing case file
- Consumer organizations for blindness/visual impairment may offer discounts, funding assistance, or referrals to nonprofit organizations for receiving funding assistance
Related links
- Vocational Rehabilitation for College Students
- Services Provided By State Department/State Unit for Visual Impairment
- What To Know About College Assistive Technology Specialists
- How To Create A DonorsChoose Project For Visual Impairment
- 20+ Visual Impairment Project Ideas For DonorsChoose
- Helping Visually Impaired Students Thrive: My DonorsChoose Giving Page
Explore built-in settings for mainstream technologies
Accessibility features are often available as built-in settings for mainstream technologies and popular operating systems, which can provide access to information at no additional cost to the user. This can include tools such as screen magnification, large print displays, options for customizing colors or displays, screen readers, text-to-speech, and more.
Another option is to consider applications that are platform agnostic and can be accessed on multiple devices. Some examples of platform agnostic programs I use include:
- Productivity tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, which can be accessed on mobile devices, desktop applications, or via web browser
- eReading applications like Amazon Kindle and Nook
- Simplified reading displays like Immersive Reader for reading large print text with a consistent display
- Chromecast/Cast for wirelessly displaying my devices on a larger screen
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision series
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Windows 10 and 11
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
- Mainstream eReader Apps and Low Vision Accessibility
Check out free and open-source applications
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in free applications as well as free and open-source (FOSS) applications that offer several accessibility features or provide extensions for existing products such as screen readers or screen magnifiers. There are several online communities on social media sites that share links to open-source applications, and I’ve also shared a few on my website. I hope to add even more applications in the future, but I’ve enjoyed getting to explore new apps that are helping to address accessibility barriers.
As for free applications that aren’t open-source, there are several app developers that have acknowledged the “disability tax” as it relates to high-cost assistive technology that is essential for information access, and that make their tools free to individuals with disabilities. Many major technology companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft promote free applications and impactful tools through their accessibility events and websites, which would be a good place to start when researching reputable free applications for assistive technology. Another source to consider is Global Accessibility Awareness Day pages, which is a yearly celebration of web accessibility and the future of assistive technology access.
Related links
- How Students Can Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- How I Use Graph With Low Vision
- Free Resources Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
Provide students with opportunities to self-advocate
The most important thing to consider when embracing assistive technology with limited funding is to ensure that all conversations, technology access considerations, and ongoing feedback is made by the student or the individual that is using the technology. Teaching skills like self-advocacy, how to describe usable vision, and creating an environment where students feel comfortable acknowledging if they are having trouble seeing or accessing something is key to ensuring that the individual gets the maximum benefit from whatever assistive technology they do use. This can help to protect against AT abandonment by ensuring individuals are matched with technology that helps to augment or enhance their usable vision, as well as promote access to information, instead of viewing it as a crutch that slows them down.
Related links
- Learning to Self-Advocate
- Two of Everything: Living With Double Vision
- Tips For Improving Confidence About Using Assistive Technology
- Eight Things You Need To Know About Your Disability Accommodations
Support legislation that expands access to assistive technology
Of course, the best way to embrace assistive technology with limited funding is to support legislation that expands access to assistive technology and that provides increased funding support to invest in the future of not just the technology, but the individuals who are using it. I search for bills with keywords related to visual impairment and assistive technology on my state legislative portal and on the US Congress website to learn about new bills or receive alerts from nonprofit newsletters or organizations that are spreading awareness. Taking a few minutes to email or call my representatives can make a huge difference in amplifying these bills, especially since assistive technology bills often are not acknowledged in mainstream news coverage.
Related links
- Congress.gov website
- How I Use Accessible Voting Machines With Low Vision
- What I Want Congress Members To Know About Assistive Technology
More resources for sourcing assistive technology with limited funding
- Want to learn more about free resources from the US government for blind and low vision residents? Read US Government Programs For Blind/Low Vision Residents
- Interested in helping students get access to assistive technology in the classroom? Visit Helping Visually Impaired Students Thrive: My DonorsChoose Giving Page
- For more information on researching assistive technology for visual impairment, I share a few resources in this post on How I Write Research Papers On Accessibility Topics
On an additional note, I would like to extend a tremendous thank-you to everyone who has read my posts, shared them with others, or taken what they have learned and used it to help someone else. The greatest way to show love to someone is to not just practice inclusion by inviting them to participate in something, but to practice integration and cultivate an accessible environment so that they know that they belong. My favorite part of writing is that I get to hear from readers of all ages and from all around the world, and learn how my posts have helped make a difference in their lives or in the lives of someone they care about. Thank you for reading, for listening, and for helping to make the world a better place where individuals do not just live with visual impairment, but thrive with it too.
Published November 14, 2018. Updated September 2024