My first introduction to Padlet accessibility features was when I was in high school and realized I couldn’t see any of the text or images that my instructor had just shared for a virtual class, and they told me I had to figure out how I would access this information on my own. Since then, several of my high school teachers and college professors have used the Padlet digital bulletin board application for group discussions and class activities, where participants are expected to view or add their own multimedia content such as text, photos, links, and videos.
Digital bookmarking tools and web applications are awesome for students with visual impairments because everything can be found in one place and opened/enlarged in a new tab if needed, but things like multi-column layouts and visual clutter can make it challenging to make sense of information or figure out where to start reading. Here are my favorite tips and strategies for configuring Padlet for low vision accessibility that I have personally used as a student with low vision.
Padlet accessibility and alternative input options
Padlet accessibility features are continuously being updated and implemented across both the mobile applications and web application (browser application). Helpful things to know when configuring Padlet for low vision accessibility include:
- Padlet publishes a list of supported keyboard shortcuts/hotkeys for interacting with Padlet content, which I’ve linked below.
- Additional single-key shortcuts such as F for full screen can be enabled to users signed into a Padlet account. Select Profile > Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard Shortcuts
- Padlet boards have heading structures, which are helpful for navigating with a screen reader. The H1 heading is used for titles and H2 is used for sections. Individual posts have their own headings as well
- To create Padlet content, users can type with an on-screen or physical keyboard, use dictation, or copy/paste text from another application.
- Padlet has a few keyboard shortcuts for composing text, such as bold text, bulleted lists, numbered lists, links, etc. Padlet also supports writing with Markdown text formatting
- Math equations and text can be inserted into Padlet with LaTeX.
Related links
- Padlet keyboard shortcuts (external link)
- Padlet Text Formatting (external link)
- Padlet Accessibility FAQ (external link)
- Learning To Type With Low Vision
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
Viewing Padlet content with low vision
Padlet users with low vision may prefer to use one or more of the following types of displays to read Padlet content:
- Computer screen with or without screen magnification enabled
- An external monitor/TV for screen sharing on a larger screen (which can be helpful for enlarging small text)
- Tablet with or without screen magnification enabled, which can be positioned closer to the face or slanted/displayed at an angle
I’ve personally used a mix of these strategies over the years for accessing small print Padlet content with larger font size. I also frequently use tools like Read Aloud or Speak Text for text-to-speech to hear text read out loud, and share more strategies for accessing Padlet content with large print later in this post.
Related links
Important: Set the Padlet background to a solid color
Padlet provides options for users to set their own custom background for their Padlets, and I strongly recommend choosing a solid color that provides good contrast against text/content. Patterned backgrounds and images can make it harder for users with visual impairments to locate posts because of the additional visual clutter that can make it hard for the eyes and/or brain to process information or locate posts of interest.
In my personal experience, I’ve noticed that my eyes and/or brain fixate on patterned backgrounds and images as backgrounds, and I have more trouble finding posts or information that I actually need— it’s the equivalent of walking into a room and fixating on the wall instead of looking for my backpack or other items that I need for school.
There is no universal “best” color for visual impairment that I can recommend for Padlet, though I recommend avoiding neon or super bright hues. To learn more about choosing high contrast colors, I recommend reading my post below on high contrast and low vision.
Related links
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- Choosing The Best Custom Video Backgrounds For Low Vision Audiences
- Choosing Device Wallpapers and Backgrounds With Low Vision
Choosing a Padlet layout for visual impairment
Padlet offers several options for customizing the layout of posts, including the option to use a shelf view/section view to group similar topics. To ensure users with visual impairments can locate posts, I recommend using a Stream, Wall, or Grid format. My personal favorite Padlet format for visual impairment is the Stream layout because it has a single-column display that makes it easier to view individual posts, though the Wall and Grid formats also organize content in a consistent layout to help with locating areas of interest.
As a student, I often don’t have control over which format the board owner sets, so I also have learned how to view Padlet content in full screen using one of the following strategies:
View Padlet as a slideshow
One option for preserving viewing Padlet content with low vision while preserving background graphics and left text alignment is to view a Padlet as a slideshow. The slideshow can be set to automatically play/advance through slides, or allow users to swipe or use arrow keys to navigate at their own pace. Sections are converted into section header slides to help with organization.
To enable Slideshow for Padlet, select the Slideshow button (play icon) or open More Post Options (three dot ellipses icon) to play a slideshow starting from a specific post.
Open posts in a new tab
One of my favorite strategies for viewing Padlet content without background graphics or decorative elements is to select More Post Options (three dot ellipses icon) next to a post heading and then Open Post in New Tab. By opening a Padlet post in a new tab, I can view individual posts on a Padlet in full screen mode, and use arrow keys to browse all of the posts added to a Padlet in the order they appear on the screen.
Related links
- How I Access PowerPoints with Microsoft Sway
- Wakelet Accessibility Features For Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
Add alt text and/or image descriptions for visual content
Alternative text (alt text) and image descriptions are text-based descriptions of visual details in an image written primarily for people who are visually impaired (inclusive of blind, low vision, and neurological visual impairment). Alt text is essential for assistive technology like screen readers and braille displays as it is displayed or read out loud to let users know what is in an image, and can also be helpful for people with other disabilities as well.
As of 2025, Padlet supports adding alt text to images and gifs. After the uploaded content is processed, select the ALT icon next to the image to type a short visual description of what is in the image. This description will not be visible to people who do not have a screen reader, text-to-speech, or braille display enabled.
A better way to add alt text and describe what is in an image is to add a custom alt text/image description field to a Padlet post, which can be configured as a custom text field for a Padlet board and configured so that it is required for posting. This “exposes” the description so it can be read by anyone, providing additional context and clarification about what is in an image.
Related links
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the Visually Impaired
- How To Write Alt Text For Gifs
View Padlet posts in large print
Truthfully, it can be challenging to read Padlet content with large print because the app offers inconsistent support for Dynamic Type and system font sizes, and browser zoom can cause the screen to appear distorted. As a result, I use the web application to access Padlet with low vision and enable one or more of the following settings to read Padlet content with large print:
- Screen magnification such as Zoom or Magnifier
- Using pinch-to-zoom and holding fingers in place on the screen to read
- Enabling Hover Text for iPad with Magic Keyboard— this has been my new favorite way to access Padlet with large print, and made a significant difference in how I access content!
When opening a post in a new tab, text is displayed on the right side of the screen, with images or other visual content in the center. If there is no image for the post, a blank square is displayed in its place. Using one of the tools listed above or enabling text-to-speech or a screen reader can make it possible for users with visual impairments to access text content.
Related links
- Zoom Magnifier and Low Vision Accessibility
- iOS Magnifier and Low Vision Accessibility
- How To Use Hover Text For iPad With Low Vision
- Free Digital Bookmarking Tools For Low Vision
More Padlet accessibility resources for low vision
- Using the “Wide” post appearance for Padlet will make posts appear larger on the screen and provide additional space for text, improving readability.
- Another way to make Padlets easier to navigate is to add descriptive titles to posts and sections, which make it faster for screen reader users or people using Ctrl+F to search for information on the page.
- To view Padlets with high contrast, invert colors on the screen or turn on a high contrast mode for the user’s device. Learn more in How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision and Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
- One of the ways I’ve used Padlet is to find resources from other educators that help break down topics and share additional study resources. Web searches can be a great study tool when used properly, and I share more about this topic in How To Search For Study Resources Online
Published January 14, 2025. Updated January 2025