Starting in high school, my teachers would often provide digital copies of assignments that I could read on my laptop or tablet. This enabled me to zoom in/magnify text and write legibly, especially since I struggled to read paper-based assignments and had trouble writing due to dysgraphia. Some assignments were formatted so I could type answers or enlarge them on my computer easily, but many of the assignments for my math and science classes were more challenging to enlarge on a non-touch screen display or required me to draw, annotate, or write answers by hand, which was challenging to do with a mouse.
My high school’s instructional technology specialist recommended a PDF annotation app or digital notetaking app like Notability for completing digital worksheets on a tablet, so I could zoom in on smaller sections of the page while writing answers with a finger, stylus, or smaller text boxes. I could also position the tablet screen under the lined bifocal in my glasses, lean closer to the screen, and carry the tablet around the classroom more easily compared to using a laptop. This made a huge impact on how I accessed assignments with low vision, and my teachers and I were thrilled!
I still have Notability installed on my iPad many years later, and have also tested several Notability alternatives on both iPadOS and Android for PDF annotation or writing on top of documents in my classes. Instead of focusing just on Notability, I’ve updated this post with even more options for using PDF annotation apps and digital notetaking apps with low vision, including characteristics of annotation apps that can be used to help students learn what features are available, considerations for introducing annotation apps to low vision students, and a list of apps that support low vision accessibility features that I have used in my own classes.
Characteristics of PDF annotation apps for students
For the purpose of this post, PDF annotation apps or digital notetaking apps are used for writing directly on top of PDFs or other files with digital ink, which mimics the experience of writing with a pen, highlighter, or other writing tool; some tools also support inserting text boxes and typing on top of documents. The underlying PDF or other document cannot be edited or reformatted, which can be ideal for school assignments or assessments like quizzes or exams. Many apps for PDF annotation also support digital notetaking for creating new documents without using an existing file.
Common features available in PDF annotation apps for students
While the names of features may vary, PDF annotation apps and digital notetaking apps often include the following features that can be useful for students with low vision and their instructors.
Document organization
- Option to import PDFs or other documents from cloud storage (i.e., Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)
- Use the Share menu to import a file from a website or other application into the PDF annotation app/digital notetaking app
- Export documents or pages as a PDF with annotations intact; content can be saved to cloud storage, attached to an email, or saved directly to the device
- Organize files using tags or folders, including options for colored folders
- Add or remove pages from documents, or import/export specific page(s)
- Use tags to search for notebooks or documents
- Backup files to cloud storage provider; back up as PDF for consistent access across multiple applications
Digital ink and annotation
- Digital ink tools for writing on top of content, such as a pen, pencil, highlighter, or crayon. These digital ink tools have different textures, widths, and opacity levels.
- Customize ink colors, thickness, and opacity/transparency.
- Color picker for digital ink, or option for setting custom color
- Option to draw shapes, lines, or add stickers on top of content
- Lasso tool for selecting multiple drawings, text boxes, or shapes
- Text boxes for typing
- Connect a stylus or external keyboard for additional input options
- Handwriting recognition for converting handwritten input to text
- Digital ruler for drawing or writing, which can also be used as a line guide.
- Use pinch-to-zoom in to write in a small space or write in large print without distorting page layout or taking up multiple pages when writing.
- Audio recording features for adding audio to notes; note that this is not visible when exporting PDFs.
- Add images or stickers to notes.
Reading documents and pages
- Create new documents and customize the template or page background for digital notetaking, instead of annotating an existing file.
- Customization options for lined paper, grid/graph paper, or custom page colors.
- Pinch-to-zoom for enlarging content, which can be useful for writing in small spaces or enlarging text
- Panning or horizontal/vertical scrolling for navigating between pages. Some apps support additional custom gestures or have options for turning gestures on/off.
- View-only mode for reading content without annotating anything.
- Keyboard shortcuts for navigating with an external keyboard.
App layout and customization
- App themes for the home page and toolbar, including dark mode
- Customize how the toolbar is positioned and which tools/options are visible; for example, users can hide the pencil from the toolbar so it isn’t opened by mistake. This is typically configured in settings.
- Adjust page size or change scrolling preferences
- Enable additional gestures or customize page layouts
- Set preferences for file export
Related links
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
- Apple Pencil Customizations For Writing With Low Vision
- Strategies For Using Lined Paper With Low Vision
- OCR Scanner Apps For Low Vision Students
- Paper Colors For Low Vision Accessibility
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
Considerations for using PDFs with low vision students
Visual impairment is a spectrum, not a binary, and PDFs are not a universally accessible file format for low vision users. PDFs are designed to mimic the layout of a printed page, and users cannot customize the font style, line spacing, or edit text. Additionally, many PDFs are not accessible for screen reader users and can be challenging to access with text-to-speech. PDFs and PDF annotation apps are meant to be accessed visually, using tools like zoom and screen magnification to enlarge text.
As a student with low vision, I often receive worksheets, quizzes, and tests as PDFs; my instructors expect that students will either write on a printed copy or use a PDF annotation app to write directly on the file. It’s important that the file is high resolution with clear, easy-to-read text and graphics, as these can appear blurry when magnified or enlarged. Whenever possible, I receive a copy of the original file instead of a scanned version or photo of a page that might be blurry or contain shadows/artifacts that make it challenging to read or enlarge.
Learning to use PDF annotation apps with low vision
Even though I prefer to type many assignments due to dysgraphia, I will often turn to PDF annotation apps for tasks like circling answers on a multiple-choice quiz, matching activities, drawing, and scratch work; sometimes I re-type my answers later on or convert handwriting to text. I find it much easier to write neatly on a tablet compared to using a physical pen/paper, and I can also enlarge my writing or erase it as needed. I can also use stickers, tape, or other add-ons to mask visual content and decrease visual clutter.
When learning to use PDF annotation apps or digital notetaking apps for the first time, it’s important to learn how to create a new file or import a PDF from another source. Once students learn how to open files or add a new document, practice using strategies like pinch-to-zoom for magnification, choosing a digital ink option that is easy to read, erasing ink, scrolling, and exporting files as PDFs to view outside of the application.
Reading toolbars with low vision
Most PDF annotation apps do not support large icons for the toolbar or large font sizes, so I often turn to screen magnification like Zoom (iOS) or Magnification (Android) to read menus or enlarge icons. Alternatively, many apps will show large versions or text labels for icons if I long-press on the buttons. As I use an app over time, I will memorize the location of icons, using motor memory instead of magnification to locate items in a list.
Many PDF annotation apps and digital notetaking apps I have used have labels for screen reader users, and users can swipe through a list to select a digital writing tool or navigate the settings menu. That said, the documents themselves are not screen reader accessible, and someone using a screen reader would not be able to locate annotations on a page.
Related links
- File Formats For Low Vision and Print Disabilities
- How I Receive Accessible Quizzes and Tests in the Classroom
- How To Create High Resolution Images For Low Vision
- A to Z of Screen Magnification For Low Vision
- How To Use VoiceOver With Low Vision on iPad
- How I Organize Digital Files For My Classes
- Why I Prefer My Schoolwork Digitally: Updated Edition
- Ten Spooky Inaccessible Assignments For Low Vision Students
Creating a hub for digital assignments
When providing digital worksheets or digital assignments, it’s important to make sure they are in a consistent location that is accessible to both the student and the instructor, and that the instructor can access finished work.
When I was in high school, my teachers and I used a shared Dropbox folder (which was managed by the school instructional technology specialist) for accessing digital assignments; my teachers would place assignments for the day in one folder, and I would save the finished copy to a separate folder for grading. I was responsible for importing files into my PDF annotation/digital notetaking app of choice and exporting the annotated PDF to the correct folder when the assignment was due.
In college, my professors share copies of assignments on a learning management system like Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle. I open these files in a digital notetaking app/PDF annotation app of choice, export as a PDF when finished, and then upload the annotated PDF to the course website for grading.
I always double-check files in another app to make sure that my annotations saved correctly. I once submitted a completely blank quiz by mistake in high school and my teacher gave me a zero!
Related links
- Implementing Shared Folders For Accessible Materials
- How I Use Canvas With Low Vision
- How I Use Blackboard With Low Vision
- How I Use Moodle With Low Vision
- How I Keep Track of Assignments With Low Vision
- Must-Have Tech Skills For Online Classes
- Ten Lessons My TVI Taught Me
PDF annotation apps for writing with low vision
Here is a list of PDF annotation apps and digital notetaking apps that I have personally used as a student with low vision; inclusion of an app on this list is not an endorsement or guarantee that it will be accessible for every user. I have both an iPad and an Android tablet (OnePlus Pad 3), and have external keyboards and styluses for each device. It’s also worth noting that students do not need to download every single app on this list, as all apps listed offer similar features for PDF annotation.
Notability (iOS/iPadOS, Android)
Notability is a PDF annotation app and digital notetaking app for iOS and Android that can be used for writing digital notes or to write on top of PDFs and Word documents (DOC/DOCX files), with the option to back up notes to a third-party cloud service. Notability offers several low vision friendly features such as:
- Bold, colorful icons in the toolbar with options for incorporating display themes into notes
- In addition to pinch-to-zoom, users have another option for built-in magnification. With Zoom View, users can position a viewing rectangle on their document to magnify content at the bottom of the screen, with the option to write or sketch in the magnified area and have the final content appear smaller on the document. This can be helpful for filling in small areas of text. Zoom View can be configured in Settings > Note Editor > Gestures
- Export text-based content in Rich Text Format (RTF)
- Create collaborative notes (requires free Notability account) and sync across multiple devices
I downloaded Notability for iPad before it switched to a subscription model, so I don’t have access to the AI features and don’t pay for an annual subscription (starts at $11.99 USD per year). The version I use is now known as Notability Classic; after downloading the free Notability app, users can activate Notability Classic for a one-time payment of $49.99 USD.
Download links
- Home | Notability
- Notability for iOS and iPadOS
- Notability for Android
- Notability Classic instructions
Squid Notes (Android)
Squid Notes is a digital notetaking app for Android that also offers PDF annotation and optional cloud backup. Squid offers several templates for writing and options for enlarging content up to 1000% with pinch-to-zoom. Other helpful Squid features for low vision users include:
- Connect to Chromecast or external display for presenting notes on a larger screen or mirroring display. This can be used to turn Squid into a digital whiteboard.
- Custom page backgrounds such as music staffs, sport fields/courts/rinks, and grid papers for creating annotated diagrams.
- Organize notes as Notebooks and export individual pages as PDF
- Set custom zoom levels and percentages
Squid Notes is free to download, and there are a few options for unlocking premium features. Users can purchase an annual subscription with cloud backup, custom page backgrounds, and additional features for $14.99 USD per year, and/or unlock pay a one-time fee for unlocking specific additional features. Additional features include PDF annotation ($9.99 USD one-time purchase) and a tool pack with option for adding shapes and text boxes ($6.99 USD one-time purchase).
Download links
Noteful (iOS/iPadOS)
For users looking for a Notability alternative with no AI and no subscription, Noteful is a PDF annotation app and digital notetaking app that supports creating handwritten notes as well as annotating PDF and Word documents. Noteful supports pinch-to-zoom/magnification up to 20000% (not a typo); other Noteful features that may be of interest to low vision users include:
- Option to create layered annotations and display/hide layers as needed, which can be useful for decreasing visual clutter or organizing information.
- Create bookmarks for pages or notes, and add tags to notebooks for search
- Customize toolbar location and items visible on toolbar by opening More (three dots menu in document)
- Tabs for notes to switch between multiple documents
Noteful is free to download and offers a limited trial version with two notebooks and two layers for annotations. For unlimited access to all features and unlimited layers/notebooks, Noteful Pro is available for a one-time purchase of $6.99 USD.
Download links
Preview app and/or Files app (iOS/iPadOS)
Preview is a PDF annotation app built in to iOS 26/iPadOS 26; users can also access PDF annotation tools through the Files app by long-pressing on a file and opening with Quick Look. Both apps use Markup for digital ink, with options for using a pen, monoline, or marker for writing on top of content, as well as the option to add stickers or use a digital ruler. Users can also use pinch-to-zoom to enlarge content, though with less magnification power compared to the other applications. Other features that may be of interest for low vision users include:
- Documents opened in Preview can be viewed in dark mode, with light-colored text on a dark background.
- Option to use Scribble with Apple Pencil, which converts handwriting to text (note: does not work with math notation).
- Create custom stickers using images.
Preview and Files are both free and require no additional downloads. For best results on iPad, consider using an Apple Pencil (sold separately) for writing annotations.
Related links
Goodnotes (iOS/iPadOS, Android)
Goodnotes is a digital notetaking app and PDF annotation app for iOS/iPadOS and Android that has optional AI features and can be backed up to a third-party cloud application. Goodnotes supports pinch-to-zoom up to 800% and includes a few other features that can support low vision access such as:
- Digital tape for showing/hiding content on demand, which can be helpful for decreasing visual clutter or for creating interactive study resources.
- Convert handwritten input to LaTeX Math; select handwritten text with lasso and then use More (three dots menu) > Convert > Math (iOS and iPadOS only)
- Set custom page titles by adding pages to Outline (More menu in toolbar), which can be helpful for organizing multiple pages.
Goodnotes is available as a free app that supports up to three documents and 5 MB of storage. Goodnotes Essential is available for $11.99 USD per year, with additional AI features available for $9.99 USD per month; there is also a Pro plan for $35.99 USD per year with more collaboration features. Users can also purchase Goodnotes templates, note packets, and custom notebooks directly from the Goodnotes marketplace for an additional cost.
Download links
More tips for using PDF annotation apps and digital notetaking apps with low vision
- Since all of the apps I shared support offline access and I don’t have AI features enabled, I can use them to take exams and quizzes on my tablets. Learn more in How To Use Guided Access For Testing And Exams
- While all of these apps support digital notetaking and handwriting notes, I prefer to type lecture notes in OneNote. I share more in How I Use Microsoft OneNote With Low Vision
- One of my favorite strategies for viewing light text on a dark background without using different ink colors is inverting my device screen, which I write about in How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- The main reason why I was writing math by hand in high school is because I didn’t learn how to use LaTeX or equation editors until college, and I didn’t have consistent access to a vision teacher (TVI/TSVI/TBVI). Learn more about how I access math in How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
Published December 26, 2017. Updated August 2026