When I first published this post in 2019, I was researching solutions on how to modify anatomy diagrams for the visually impaired (inclusive of low vision/blind) for a friend with low vision studying kinesiology. Since then, my friend has become a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and I’ve learned about several other digital resources for finding high resolution anatomy diagrams and images for students with low vision at the high school and college level. Here are my tips for creating accessible anatomy resources for low vision and blind students, as well as tips for how to modify anatomy diagrams to make them easier to see.
Accessible image libraries: APH TGIL and Imageshare
The American Pringtinghouse for the Blind offers a free resource for finding tactile images called the Tactile Graphics Image Library (TGIL). While a free account is required to access and download images, there are several templates for anatomy and life science that can be embossed or otherwise modified for learners with visual impairments- I’ll talk about a few techniques later in the post.
Another free resource for finding anatomy images is Imageshare, which is another free online library of accessible educational resources with an emphasis on STEM content. Imageshare provides several types of educational content, not just graphics, though they do have several anatomy diagrams and high-contrast images.
Related links
- Tactile Graphics Image Library portal
- The Tactile Graphics Image Library: Helping Students Succeed | American Printing House
- Home – Imageshare (benetech.org)
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
Hand-drawn graphics: Breanna Spain blog
When I originally wrote this post in 2019, I shared several hand-drawn graphics from Breanna Spain, a physical therapist who is also from Virginia. Breanna has published graphics that feature hand-drawn images of muscles that are all over the body, along with handwritten notes about proximal attachments, distal attachments, innervation, blood supply, and actions. The graphics themselves feature high contrast colors and handwritten text that can be modified further for improved reading. I recommend downloading all of the PNG files directly from Breanna’s blog, as they can be adapted or converted into other file formats as needed, though a PDF version can also be purchased for less than $10.
Related links
- Muscular Anatomy 101 // A Full Set of Drawn Muscles with Attachments, Innervations, Blood Supplies, and Actions! — Breanna Spain Blog
- Blood Supply Drawings // The Upper Extremity — Breanna Spain Blog
- The Brachial Plexus 101 — Breanna Spain Blog
3D graphics: BioRender
Last year, another friend with low vision introduced me to the BioRender website, a free web application for creating scientific figures and medical diagrams. While the free plan offers low-resolution export and a limited number of graphics, students can explore the graphics within the BioRender website and examine different details of models without exporting. My friend was able to get one of their premium plans for free since they were part of a research team subscription, which allows unlimited exports and high-resolution images. BioRender templates can also be modified using the techniques shared later in the post.
Related links
- Scientific Image and Illustration Software | BioRender
- How To Create High Resolution Images For Low Vision
Pinterest finds: High-contrast anatomy graphics
Pinterest is an awesome source for finding high-contrast anatomy graphics that can be adapted for students with visual impairments. One of my favorite sources that I found was from a Dr. Jackson at UFPAS, whose students had shared copies of their anatomy coloring book and large print anatomy graphics. To make these images easier to use, I strongly recommend using the tips included in my post on how to create high resolution images. I am working on finding the original files for download, but wanted to share this link in the meantime.
Related links
Bonus digital graphics: Anatomy Adventures
Another option I learned about when researching accessible anatomy diagrams, Anatomy Adventures is a collection of free PDFs that include high-resolution anatomy illustrations with text labels, which are more detailed than some of the other resources shared in this post. Created for first-year medical students, Micaela Motzko has created several beautiful graphics that can be adapted similar to the Breanna Spain graphics. A PDF with all available illustrations can be requested from her website via email.
Related links
Accessible Anatomy: digital or printed copies?
There are a few different options for organizing accessible anatomy diagrams, including options for digital access and printed/physical copies. I prefer to use digital copies because I can enlarge them on my tablet or other technologies using screen magnification, and can also use visual assistance apps to explore text labels as well. Accessible anatomy diagrams can be organized in a OneNote notebook, in a folder saved to my device, in a Notability notebook, or another type of document. Alternatively, I can bookmark websites and access resources later.
However, students may prefer to have a printed/physical copy of anatomy diagrams, especially if they include tactile elements. I recommend printing images in color and organizing them in a binder, spiral-bound book, or folder. For graphics printed on 11 x 14 inch paper, I highly recommend using a binder like the one I have from Keep Filing, which is what I use for organizing large print music- I talk about this more in my post on large print music linked below.
Related links
- How I Use Microsoft OneNote With Low Vision
- Notability and Low Vision
- How To Create Accessible Assignments With Microsoft Office Sway
- How I Organize Digital Files For My Classes
- My Large Print Music Binder
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
How to modify accessible anatomy diagrams for visually impaired
Here are several options for accessing accessible anatomy diagrams with low vision and modifying them as needed.
Option 1: Enlarging existing graphics, no modifications
In this case, the student can see all key elements of the graphic and read text labels, but the graphic needs to be enlarged or scaled so that it is easier to read. For creating a larger page size, I copy the image into Microsoft PowerPoint and select a custom slide size, such as 11″ x 14″. From there, I can drag the image so it expands to fit the page, and print the graphics or save them as a PDF. I talk about this more in my post “How To Make Music Accessible With Microsoft PowerPoint”, which is linked below.
For digital graphics that I don’t plan on printing out, I prefer to use my tablet for reading accessible graphics, because I can use the pinch-to-zoom gesture and position the screen close to my face. This is how I would access graphics with BioRender or other digital anatomy atlases.
Option 2: Modifying text or graphic, two-page format
For students that need to modify the text of an image to include large print or different fonts, follow these instructions to modify text in a two-page format:
- Open up Microsoft PowerPoint
- Set a custom slide size of whatever paper size you need- I used 11 x 14
- Drag the image to fit on the page, taking care to avoid going outside the margins
- Write down the text in another program such as Microsoft Word- you’ll format it in step 6
- Crop the image so that only the diagram remains, and drag the image outward so that it expands to fit the page. You might need to put a white square over the remaining text
- In Microsoft Word, create a document with headings that shows the name, proximal attachment, distal attachment, innervation, blood supply, and actions for each muscle group. Use Heading 1 for the name and Heading 2 for all other sections. Make sure this page is the same size as the custom slide size
- For graphics that have additional labels, replace the text labels on the graphic with white textboxes that have large numbers. Write the corresponding labels in the Microsoft Word document
Option 3: Changing the color scheme
For students with color deficiencies or that need higher contrast color schemes, there are a few different types of image filters that can be applied. My favorite way to replace colors is to use the Color Replace tool in the PicsArt app to change solid colors, or use the Color Picker tool in Microsoft Paint to replace colors on my computer.
To replace colors in Microsoft Paint:
- Open Microsoft Paint (which is a separate app from 3D paint)
- Open an image to modify- this works best with clip art and simple graphics
- Select the Color Picker tool, which looks like an eyedropper
- Select the color you would like to replace in the image, which will be labeled as Color 1
- Select the Color 2 box and choose the color you would like to replace Color 1 with
- Select the Eraser tool
- Right-click and drag across the color you would like to replace, which will replace the Color 1 value with Color 2. Do not left-click, as this will erase items on the screen
Option 4: Collage-style tactile graphics
Several of these accessible anatomy diagrams can be used as the basis for tactile graphics, including collage-style tactile graphics made from art materials and everyday objects. Some examples of tactile graphic adaptations for anatomy diagrams can include:
- Raised lines for the outlines of images/diagrams
- Tracing areas with a tactile pen, such as the Hi-Mark pen
- Using texture for shaded areas. For one of the anatomy graphics I adapted from Breanna Spain, I used glue with sand on top so that it would have a rough texture compared to the smooth lines
- Adding braille labels underneath or in lieu of printed text
- Drawing a pattern over colored areas to indicate shading/color changes
Related links
- How To Make Music Accessible With Microsoft PowerPoint
- Why I Prefer My Schoolwork Digitally: Updated Edition
- Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision
- How To Create Tactile Images With Everyday Objects
Additional resources for accessible anatomy
- Quizlet offers several flashcard sets for anatomy that can be viewed in large print or read with a screen reader, though the illustrated cards do not support alt text. Learn more about Quizlet in my post How I Use Quizlet With Low Vision
- Looking for accessible tactile graphics for K-12 students that can be used in the classroom? Contact your state Accessible Educational Materials provider; AIM-VA is the provider for the wonderful state of Virginia, and I wrote about them in All About AIM-VA
- Zygote Body is a free 3D anatomy visualizer created by Google that came recommended by another friend, but I personally found the graphics to be blurry. I’m linking it here in case other students benefit from it- Zygote Body 3D Anatomy Online Visualizer | Human Anatomy 3D
- Microsoft 3D models also offer a small selection of anatomy models- learn more in Microsoft 3D Models and Low Vision
