As a student with a bachelor’s degree in data science that is currently studying for a PhD in Education, I consider statistics classes to be simultaneously very fun and very visually demanding. Since I have low vision and primarily access information visually, I have to pay close attention to character-level details, symbols, and formatting, as well as ensure that I can access assignments and other course materials in large print.
This has become easier as I have taken more statistics classes and also learned more about assistive technology and compensatory skills for statistics and accessing math equations. That said, there aren’t a ton of resources on teaching statistics to students with visual impairments, especially teaching statistics to students with low vision, so I would often do a lot of research on my own to share with others.
Over the years, I have used several statistics apps for low vision access on my computer, iPad, and occasionally phone to access information in my classes. Many of these apps have built-in accessibility features that can be useful for a wide array of students or classes, which is especially impactful for online classes or distance learning classes where students may not always disclose if they have a visual impairment or print disability for a variety of reasons. Here is a list of five apps I use in my statistics class as a low vision student, and strategies for using learning technology and assistive technology in the statistics classroom to support independent access to information.
Performing calculations without buttons: MyScript Math
Instead of pressing on-screen buttons on a digital calculator, I prefer to use a keyboard or handwriting input so that I can easily find the symbols I need. I also find it helpful to work out problems on a dry-erase board or on a digital whiteboard since it is easier for me to erase mistakes or make other changes. For assignments and labs that required me to perform calculations or when formatting scratch work, I used MyScript Math on my iPad with an Apple Pencil.
MyScript Math is a graphing calculator that uses handwriting input instead of buttons to solve equations. With MyScript Math, users can write on a large whiteboard-style canvas and work out problems step-by-step, or write an equals sign next to an equation to calculate the answer. MyScript Math supports basic operations, basic functions, trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, handle angle units in degrees or radians, and even specify how answers should be rounded or truncated. It can also solve complex equations with a single numeric unknown if the variable is replaced with a question mark instead of a letter; for example, 4y + 4 = 24 would need to be written as 4 x ? + 4 = 24.
Canvases can be saved within the app and exported as PNG or PDF. Alternatively, users can long-press on an equation and copy it as LaTeX and paste it into an equation editor or other application of their choice.
Another helpful feature of MyScript Math is that it can graph functions with a single curve. To graph a function that starts with y= or f(x)=, tap on the function and select Graph to automatically create a graph that can be resized or enlarged further. Although I had to open a full-screen Zoom magnifier view to read axis labels, the graph could easily be copy and pasted as an image into another application or updated in real time as I made changes to the function.
Simple calculator app without buttons: MyScript Calculator
For assignments or exams where a graphing calculator is not permitted, I continue to use the MyScript Calculator that also does not have buttons and uses the same handwriting interface. Even though I have dysgraphia, MyScript can still recognize my handwriting and perform calculations related to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponents, plus it can also recognize parentheses. For exams in my other classes, I have used MyScript Calculator with Guided Access enabled on an iPad. This app could be especially helpful for teaching (or learning) statistics at the high school level for students with visual impairments, as it can be used in several different classes.
Related links
- MyScript Math | MyScript
- MyScript Math developer notes and documentation
- Five Accessible Calculator Apps For Low Vision
- Math Test Accommodations For Low Vision
Reading R code snippets for homework: Google Colab
While there were some instances where my professor would share screenshots of R code, we frequently used Google Colab in the first half of the semester for reading, editing, and running code snippets. Google Colab is a free cloud-based platform that allows users to write and execute Python, R, or Julia from the web browser, with the option to share their code with others. Similar to Jupyter Notebooks, Google Colab notebooks can combine code, text, and visualizations into a single file, with the option to add other content such as HTML, LaTeX, or images. No downloads are required to access Colab, and all Colab files are synced to Google Drive.
Google Colab notebooks display text, code snippets, and other content using a responsive layout, which can be easier to enlarge or zoom in on compared to fixed layouts such as PDFs or screenshots. I also enabled other display customizations like larger text sizes, a dark color scheme, and used Magnifier to enlarge text when browser zoom was not sufficient. I find notebooks like Google Colab to be helpful when I am learning a new programming language or concept/function, as I can add detailed notes or divide tasks into multiple steps.
Recognizing text from images: multiple options
Screenshots with small text tend to appear blurry when I zoom in to read them visually. Some of my previous statistics professors have re-typed or copy/pasted code snippets or output in plain text so it would display in the same font size as the rest of my large print assignments, while others would give me permission to use an OCR app to extract text from an image and read the output that way.
To comply with the honor code, I avoid using Google Lens since that has a built-in equations solver. However, I sometimes use the Lens functionality in my Camera app to recognize text from an image so I can copy/paste it into another app without opening Google.
For extracting text from images in other contexts, I prefer to use a tool like Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, Envision, or Aira that can read text without giving me the answer. The JAWS screen reader also has a built-in OCR function, which can be helpful for students who use screen readers and come across images without alt text.
Disclaimer: I previously received free Aira service through a now-defunct program for college students in 2018/2019 and spoke at an Aira-sponsored event in 2018.
Related links
- Google Colab Low Vision Accessibility
- All About Visual Assistance Apps For Visually Impaired
- Recognizing Images With Seeing AI
Completing homework assignments with large print: Microsoft Word
To read statistics equations in large print, I use the Microsoft Word built-in equation editor, which supports LaTeX and MathML input and can display equations in responsive layouts. My professors would insert equations or formulas with the equation editor when creating assignments, and then I would format my answers using the equation editor in the same Word document. For assignments that had screenshots or images, I would ask for images to be in single-column layouts, instead of having multiple images placed next to each other; sometimes my professors would do this, sometimes I would have to rearrange images myself.
If I have to share code output as part of a question, I prefer to copy and paste the code and/or output as text instead of taking a screenshot since this is easier for me to read. That said, I have had some professors who required students to take screenshots, so I would either take a screenshot on my computer/tablet or I would share a notebook (e.g. Jupyter Notebook, Google Colab) that showed the input and output.
Related links
- How I Take Math Tests With Double Vision
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
- Adapting Accessible Z-Tables: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How I Use WebAssign With Low Vision
- MyLab Math Accessibility and Low Vision
Accessing presentations during class: Microsoft Sway
As a student with low vision, I often find it difficult to read PowerPoint slides that have patterned backgrounds or text in multiple locations. To make PowerPoints easier to read on a computer or tablet, I started converting PowerPoint slides with the Microsoft Sway web application into single-column text layouts that feature larger font sizes, options for viewing images in a larger display, and even options for embedding Sways into my notes. While I normally just keep these files for myself, I introduced my professor to Sway during office hours and they liked it so much that they started using it in class!
When converting a PowerPoint to Sway for a math or statistics course for students with visual impairments, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. One is that tables may appear distorted as Sway does not support table structures, though the text within the table is otherwise intact. Another is that Sway does not have a built-in math editor, so LaTeX or other equations will be automatically inserted as a picture into Sway, which may require users to resize images accordingly. When I create Sways, I typically go through the file and check image sizes before I read through the slides during class so I can make sure that multiple images are not stacked on a single line.
Writing math during class: Word equation editor or Ink to Math
Unlike Word and PowerPoint, Sway does not have a built-in equation editor or math editor for inserting equations. When presenting class notes with equations, my professors over the years have either used PowerPoint and placed one equation on each slide, or created a copy of notes in Microsoft Word that they either displayed during lectures on the projector/using screensharing or posted on the course website.
For instructors that prefer to write with a stylus or draw, another option for creating accessible math equations is to use Ink to Math, which can be found on the Draw tab in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote; in PowerPoint, users can also select Open Ink Equation Editor from the dropdown menu. After opening Ink to Math, users can draw an equation and then select Insert to convert the handwritten equation to typed text. A similar function also exists for converting drawings called Ink to Shape, which can be used to draw lines, circles, and more; I find this useful since I can adjust the line thickness of shapes so they are easier to see.
Related links
- How I Access PowerPoints with Microsoft Sway
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Learning to Self-Advocate With Low Vision
Sharing screens during meetings: Zoom on tablet
During labs, study groups, or office hours, I often use my tablet as a digital whiteboard or use gestures like pinch-to-zoom to focus on specific areas of the page. Learning how to share an iPad screen with Zoom has been a super helpful strategy as I can use my Apple Pencil and Markup for writing and annotating, and I can still use Zoom on my computer to participate in the call. In order to use screensharing, both the computer and tablet/phone must have the Zoom app installed and be connected to the same account and wifi network.
To share an iPad/iOS screen from the Zoom desktop application:
- In a Zoom meeting, select Share Screen
- Choose iPhone/iPad, and select the checkbox to Share Sound if desired.
- Select Share.
- Access the control center on iPad/iOS by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen. On iOS 11 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the icon for Screen Mirroring.
- Choose the Zoom-your computer option to share the device screen.
- To stop sharing, Tap Stop Mirroring on your iPhone/iPad or select Stop Share in the meeting controls toolbar
Another helpful way I have used Zoom screensharing in my statistics classes is to display video lectures or recordings on my iPad, so I can use pinch-to-zoom or take screenshots to add to my notes. I generally prefer to watch lectures on a larger screen, but I sometimes find it more challenging to take screenshots or zoom in on a particular area of the screen.
Related links
- Recording Video Lectures For Visually Impaired Students
- How I Take Notes During Video Lectures With Low Vision
- How I Use Google Chromecast With Low Vision
- How I Use The Apple Pencil With Low Vision
More strategies and statistics apps for low vision I use in my classes
- When I noticed that I was straining my eyes to read dark text on a white background due to glare, I would turn on invert colors to view light text on a dark background instead. Learn more in How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- In my education research classes, I would often read journal articles for article critiques and other assignments. I share more about accessing journal articles in How I Read Research Sources With Assistive Technology
- Wondering how I talk about disability accommodations with my professors? Read How To Explain Disability Accommodations To Professors and How I Talk To Professors About Photosensitivity
- If I was not already familiar with R accessibility for low vision, I would have found it incredibly helpful to have someone pre-teach programming concepts or introduce me to accessibility settings for the software we would be using in class. Read about my tips for introducing programming languages in Pre-Teaching Programming Languages To Visually Impaired Students
Published December 19, 2025. Updated December 2025