For some of the practice problems in my classes, I have to draw graphs or plot points by hand, a task that can be difficult as a person with low vision and dysgraphia. While there are lots of ways to draw graphs in a digital format, I received a request for ideas on using no-tech solutions for drawing graphs with low vision and dysgraphia, as educators look for tools to help decrease screen time for students who are already at a higher risk of eye fatigue. Here are some of my favorite no-tech solutions for drawing graphs with low vision and dysgraphia that I use for my classes and that are suitable for students of all ages.
What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is defined by the National Institute of Health as “a neurological disorder characterized by writing disabilities. Specifically, the disorder causes a person’s writing to be distorted or incorrect.” Dysgraphia is no longer considered an official diagnosis according to the DSM-5, but rather the product of development coordination disorder (which covers the motor aspects of the condition) and/or specific learning disorder (which covers the cognitive aspects and written expression). However, the term dysgraphia is still used to describe impairments in written expression, and accommodations for dysgraphia can be included in an IEP, 504 Plan, Student Assistance Plan, and/or college Disability Services file.
I was diagnosed with dysgraphia at age five, which is the year I started kindergarten. My handwriting has improved over time with the help of occupational therapy and other interventions, but dysgraphia itself cannot be cured. At the time of my dysgraphia diagnosis, I also had an existing diagnosis of low vision, and years later was also diagnosed with Chiari 1 Malformation, a congenital neurological disorder.
Related links
- Dysgraphia Accommodations In The Classroom
- Assistive Technology For Dysgraphia
- How I Manage Dysgraphia In Online Classes
- How I Use Espanso Text Expander With Dysgraphia
- AlphaSmart For Low Vision and Dysgraphia
- Disability and Classroom Accommodations For Chiari Malformation
Write coordinates or an image description
Instead of drawing, I prefer to turn a picture into a thousand words, or at least a few sentences. This includes writing coordinates next to a chart or graph in lieu of or in addition to drawing them, which can be useful if I can’t mark the exact point on the coordinate plane that I want to or draw bar graphs to size without a ruler.
Another option is writing an image description of what a graph should look like, or noting other salient features. While this particular example was generated by WebAssign, here is an example of an image description for a graph that covers the information the instructor would expect me to recognize:
”The line starts at a point on the positive y-axis, goes up and right, passes through the point (5 − δ, 5 − ε), passes through the point (5, 5), passes through the point (5 + δ, 5 + ε), and exits the window in the first quadrant.”
Related links
- How I Use WebAssign With Low Vision
- ALEKS Accessibility For Visual Impairment
- MyLab Math Accessibility and Low Vision
- How To Write Alt Text For Educational Content
- Purposes of Media Descriptions for Visual Impairment
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
Whiteboard or other erasable surfaces with dark markers
One of my favorite ways to draw graphs is by using a dark-colored dry erase marker on a small whiteboard since it is easy for me to erase mistakes. In addition, I find it easier to hold a large marker compared to a thin pencil and I can easily adjust the board so it feels more natural to write on.
Don’t have a whiteboard? No problem! Other whiteboard/dry-erase surface alternatives include:
- Piece of white paper in a plastic sheet cover
- Window with white paper behind it
- Surface with contact paper on top
One of the teachers I worked with placed large grid graph paper inside of a plastic sheet cover and would have students plot points or draw graphs using dry-erase marker, which made it easier to erase mistakes or practice with different coordinate planes.
Related links
- How To Make Things On The Board Easier To See
- Adapting Coordinate Planes: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Adapting Math Sketches: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Dry-Erase Eraser Alternatives For Low Vision
- How I Set Up My College Desk With Low Vision
Drawing graphs and plotting points with magnetic drawing boards
Magnetic drawing boards are another option for drawing graphs with low vision, using a stylus and raised magnetic dots to create simple images and sketches. Students can (gently) touch the magnets or trace over them with marker to add color, and some boards will make noise as magnetic pins are raised/lowered, which can be useful for making sure that graphs are drawn correctly. I don’t personally use magnetic drawing boards for drawing graphs due to limited sensitivity in my hands, but have worked with several students who found this strategy useful when learning about plotting points and creating simple graphs.
Related links
- How To Create Tactile Images With Everyday Objects
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
Transparency paper and ballpoint pen
Transparency paper or acetate sheets are thin, flexible plastic sheets that have historically been used for overhead projectors. However, these sheets are also awesome for creating tactile graphics by placing the transparency sheet against a thin piece of foam and tracing over designs with a ballpoint pen, which creates a raised surface. I prefer to use a dry-erase marker to roughly sketch out a design in advance before tracing it with a pen for improved visibility.
There are several other products available for creating instant tactile graphics with a pen and speciality paper, including the DRAFTSMAN tactile drawing board from American Printinghouse for the Blind.
Related links
- Highlighting Information With Low Vision
- Reduce Glare In The Classroom For Low Vision Students
- Art Classes and Low Vision
Place magnets or pins on a board
Instead of plotting points on a coordinate plane or drawing a dot plot/scatterplot by hand, one of my professors suggested that I place thumbtacks on a cork board to mark different points instead of drawing, since I would often struggle with marking dots accurately due to double vision. This professor also used thumbtacks and a cork trivet from IKEA to create color-coded node diagrams and circuit boards to help students identify information visually.
Another alternative to using cork and pushpins is magnets on a baking sheet or other magnetic surface, like a music stand. Vertical surfaces such as walls also can be helpful for positioning graphs or charts within the field of view— some of my friends would either place items on the wall or draw graphs while standing on a dry-erase surface or page.
Related links
- Adapting Accessible Charts: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Adapting Math Sketches: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision
Using masking tape on a dark surface
For students who need basic accessible graphics, a music stand or similar dark surface can serve as the perfect backdrop for making simple accessible graphs or graphics with masking tape or painter’s tape. While this works best for graphs that involve straight lines such as linear graphs or bar charts, users can easily personalize their creations by coloring the tape with markers or adding text-based labels as needed.
Related links
Writing on cardstock with markers
If I have to draw a graph on paper, I prefer to use cardstock whenever possible so that my beloved high-contrast pens do not bleed through the paper or onto my desk. I ordered a package of 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock on Amazon, and love using it for writing and drawing as I can easily hold the page close to my face and don’t have to worry about it shifting on my desk as much while I’m writing.
When it comes to drawing graphs, I prefer to use high-contrast or colorful markers over pencils because I find ink easier to see and often use color as a way of conveying information, especially when drawing multiple equations or points of interest. Tools like rulers can be helpful for not just drawing lines, but blocking out other areas of the page so I don’t accidentally draw on them.
Related links
- Writing Aids For Low Vision: My Personal Superlatives
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
- Paper Size and Low Vision
Building with Legos or other plastic bricks
Legos are a fun way to create tactile graphs and plot points, as users can feel like they are building something fun while working on their homework. My favorite types of charts to create with Legos or similar plastic bricks are bar charts because it is easier to visualize the size of the bars with the larger stacks of Lego bricks. Rounded or curved pieces can be used to show points on a chart or parabolas/curved lines on a graph.
Related links
- Tuva Tools and Low Vision Accessibility
- Adapting Coin Activities: Math Problems For Low Vision
- How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- How I Use Graph With Low Vision
- Accessible Dice For Low Vision
Submitting alternative graphs/charts
Just like I would with traditional hand-drawn charts or graphs, I scan in images of my alternative graphs using the free Microsoft Lens app or the 3D scanner built into my HP Sprout computer, as I have found these options work the best for inserting images into my assignments. I typically include a note to my professor telling them which materials I used for each graph/chart, and have never had a problem with submitting these alternative images since I already receive accommodations from the Disability Services office for low vision and dysgraphia.
Related links
- How I Use Microsoft Lens With Low Vision
- How I Use Technology To Improve Handwriting
- Modifying Assignments To Remove Flashing Lights
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
More resources on no-tech solutions for drawing graphs
- Want to learn more about how I used lined paper for math with dysgraphia? Check out Strategies For Using Lined Paper With Low Vision
- Looking for more math posts? Read my post category on Science And Math Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
- For even more math resources, I have a Pinterest board with several low vision-friendly activities that can be found at Math Education Resources for Low Vision from @Veron4ica | Pinterest
Published May 6, 2020. Updated May 2025