When I published the first version of this post in March 2017, I shared a short list of study tips for visually impaired students like me that I had found helpful when studying for midterms and finals in college. While this original list primarily focused on things like creating a comfortable study environment, there are so many other awesome studying ideas that I’ve used over the years that I wanted to share now!
Here are the best study tips for visually impaired students (inclusive of low vision/blind) that I have personally used over the years, including tips that can be used for studying for exams and project-based assignments. I also include study tips for auditory learners and study strategies for tactile/kinesthetic learning styles.
Increase the font size to a comfortable level
I have low vision and a print disability that makes it impossible for me to access standard print and have a preferred font size for materials listed as part of my disability accommodations. Truthfully, the font size that is currently listed in my college Disability Services file is difficult for me to read for long periods of time and requires me to strain my eyes slightly to focus. While I can deal with a bit of eye strain for short visual tasks (and I usually increase the font size of digital documents anyways), I don’t want to strain my eyes when I’m studying, especially when I am reading math problems or exploring code snippets character-by-character.
For students that access information visually while studying, increase the font size or magnification for content to a level that is comfortable to read and does not require straining the eyes or leaning in at an uncomfortable angle. If I catch myself squinting or leaning forward, I take that as a sign that I need to increase the font size/magnification or adjust how I’m accessing content to avoid burnout.
Related links
- Simplified Reading Displays and Low Vision
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Windows Magnifier and Low Vision
- Disability Accommodations For Fluctuating Eyesight
- Ways To Use Teleprompter Apps As Assistive Technology
Adjust display colors to minimize eye strain
With photophobia, I experience sensitivity to bright lights, especially bright white backgrounds for documents and whiteboards. Looking at dark text on a white background for long periods of time can make it difficult for me to focus my eyes, which often manifests as lines appearing to “collide” with one another, or appearing to “float away” off the edge of the screen. While this is often a sign that I need to take a vision break, I still try to minimize the effects of bright white backgrounds and adjust display colors to minimize eye strain.
Examples of strategies I have used to adjust display colors for study materials include:
- Reducing the white point of colors on my device
- Turning on a color filter, blue light filter, or display filter
- Changing the page color to a tinted color that isn’t bright white
- Enabling dark mode/invert colors to improve contrast
- Adding a white outline to black text to improve readability on colored backgrounds (or a black outline on white text)
- Activating high contrast mode on my computer
- Using word bubbling to make words easier to locate on a page
- Enabling a line tracker/line guide to black out surrounding content and focus on 1-5 lines at a time
One strategy that I always use is wearing tinted non-polarized prescription glasses, which is helpful for avoiding harsh light. I wear these at all times and have found they make a significant difference while using digital devices without impacting my ability to recognize colors.
Related links
- Avoiding Flashing Lights On Social Media
- Ten Ways To Reduce Eye Strain From Screens With Technology
- Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
- How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- How Tinted Glasses Help My Light Sensitivity
- Ten “Odd” Things I Do With Double Vision
Organize information with labels or colors
I love using color as a labeling tool and to convey information, and find it helpful to color-code different categories of information, points of interest, or other study resources using highlighters, colored markers, or underlining tools. This can be useful for indicating material that I want to go back and study later, or identifying specific sources for a paper. In lieu of color, another option is to add text labels/tags or bookmarks that can be located for later reading, or for indicating different categories of information.
Related links
Request a copy of notes and classroom materials
One of the most helpful strategies for studying with low vision is to request copies of notes and classroom materials from the original lecture, which provide the best option for accessing content that will likely be on the exam. I receive a copy of notes as part of my disability accommodations, as well as any copies of materials presented.
Copies of materials can include (but are not limited to):
- Slide decks, slideshows, PowerPoint presentations (.ppt or .pptx)
- Code snippets
- Documents or text content (preferably in a responsive format like .doc, .docx, or .txt)
- High resolution copies of images (.png)
- Data for graphs or charts (.csv)
- External videos (links or files)
- Website hyperlinks
- Digital whiteboard
- Typed copies of handwritten text
My instructors provide a few different options for accessing copies of notes and classroom materials. Some instructors post the information on the course websites so that anyone can access it, while others will send me copies of information either via email or in a shared folder as part of my disability accommodations. I’ve also had instructors post video recordings of lectures that anyone can listen to, alongside a transcript.
Related links
- How I Take Notes During Video Lectures With Low Vision
- How I Use Microsoft Whiteboard With Low Vision
- How I Use Repl.it IDE With Low Vision
- Reading Handwriting With Assistive Technology
- Taking Online History Classes With Low Vision
- Taking Online English Classes With Low Vision
- Implementing Shared Folders For Accessible Materials
Identify options for accessing content with multiple modalities
Even though I primarily access information visually, I still get tired of looking at a screen or relying on my eyes for everything. In these situations, I switch to a secondary modality such as audio or tactile formats that enable me to continue studying or practice different concepts non-visually.
Examples of auditory study ideas and using auditory methods can include:
- Using a screen reader or text-to-speech to read content when my eyes are tired or content is difficult to access visually. I sometimes slow my reading speed down to make sure I catch all the information!
- Listening to a podcast on a topic, which doesn’t require looking at a screen
- Practicing flash cards with text-to-speech or Amazon Alexa
- Discussing the topic with a friend, tutor, or study partner
- Talking out loud and capturing my notes/thoughts with dictation or audio recording
Example of kinesthetic and tactile studying ideas and using tactile methods can include:
- Reading information in braille or with a refreshable braille display (this can be paired with audio-assisted reading)
- Creating body-based mnemonics for remembering different concepts, such as hand gestures or other movements.
- Writing out problems or notes on a dry-erase board by hand or actively typing
- Underlining or highlighting information in different colors
- Explore content with 3D models, manipulatives, or other physical objects
- Create something to symbolize study concepts, such as a poster or tactile art
For students that aren’t interested in accessing information in other modalities but need to get away from the computer, another strategy is to find ways to continue studying while using another device. This can include:
- Accessing a web application or mobile application for a study guide (e.g. Quizlet flash cards)
- Watching videos on a portable device
- Using applications that can synchronize across multiple platforms, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace tools
- Brainstorming ideas or lists in a separate Notes app
Related links
- How To Use Text-To-Speech With Low Vision
- How To Use Dictation As Assistive Technology With Mainstream Devices
- How To Search For Study Resources Online
- Choosing A Tutor For Low Vision Students
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
Create flashcards
Flashcards are a great tool for studying, and students with low vision have a few different options for creating accessible flashcards. These can include:
- Writing out flashcards by hand on index cards or on larger paper sizes. I recommend using high contrast markers or pens, and using cardstock when possible to minimize ink showing through paper.
- Creating or locating digital flashcards on a website like Quizlet, which can be accessed with low vision assistive technology such as large print and text-to-speech. Brainfuse also offers flashcards through their FlashBulb section, which is free to access via participating institutions.
- Using Alexa Skill Blueprints to create auditory flashcards, which can be accessed on an Echo device and requires learners to answer questions out loud.
- Creating flashcards with PowerPoint or Slides, which can be used to show one “side” of a card on each slide.
Related links
- Paper Sizes and Low Vision Accessibility
- How I Use Quizlet With Low Vision
- Brainfuse Online Tutoring and Low Vision Accessibility
- Creating Custom Flashcards With Amazon Alexa
- How Amazon Alexa Can Help You Study For Exams
Sideload materials for offline access
While I typically rely on screens to access materials in formats I can read, this doesn’t mean that I am stuck reading from a backlit display or one particular screen thanks to sideloading options. In this context, sideloading refers to loading titles into a reading or productivity application that were purchased or downloaded from another source using the file browser or cloud storage tool. Some examples of how I sideload materials for studying can include:
- Downloading readings in an EPUB format and reading them on my eReader, which has an eInk display similar to paper
- Using Send-to-Kindle to send content to the Kindle app on my iPad, which I can highlight and annotate
- Converting content on the course website to another format with Anthology Ally for offline reading
- Saving copies of documents to read in another application
Related links
- Sideloading and Low Vision
- How I Use My eReader For School and Online Classes
- Mainstream eReader Apps and Low Vision Accessibility
- How I Use Send-To-Kindle With Low Vision
- Using Anthology Ally With Low Vision
Work through problems or ideas on a dry-erase board
I find it easier to read my own handwriting and write on the angled or vertical display of a dry-erase board, especially because I can quickly erase mistakes or use colored markers to write out ideas. I use my dry-erase board frequently while studying to work out math problems by hand, take quick notes during a video, create a to-do list, or document scratch work so I can take a picture and attach it to notes. I find that I tend to write larger on dry-erase boards compared to paper, which can help with readability, and even just the act of writing or doodling can help with focusing while listening to content.
Related links
- How I Show Work For Math With Low Vision and Dysgraphia
- Dry-Erase Eraser Alternatives For Low Vision
- Adapting Math Sketches: Math Problems and Low Vision
Organize resources with digital bookmarking tools
Where did I find that great flashcard set or tutorial video? How can I save a link to that practice test? What’s that app that could be helpful for this project? Digital bookmarking tools are a great way to save websites and digital content in one place, and can be divided based on specific subjects or topics being studied. For online classes, I will often put together a list of potential resources and study tools in a private Wakelet document or on a Pinterest board, which I could search through later.
Related links
- Free Digital Bookmarking Tools For Low Vision
- Wakelet Accessibility Features For Low Vision
- How I Use Pinterest For Studying In College
- Helpful Ways To Bookmark Websites For Low Vision Users
Remember to take vision breaks/cognitive breaks
I’ve saved the most important study tip for last! Remember to take regular vision breaks and cognitive breaks while studying to avoid (or at least minimize) eye pain, fatigue, headaches, or feelings of burn out. Some students may benefit from having timers that share reminders of when to take breaks, while others may prefer to self-regulate and take breaks when needed. For me, the most important thing to remember when taking a vision break is that I shouldn’t use it as an opportunity to go look at a different screen or application, and that it is truly important to rest my eyes and/or brain.
Sometimes, my vision breaks unexpectedly last hours, or I might discover that I need to take a day off from studying so that I can focus more intentionally on whatever I am studying. Prioritizing my eyes and brain and managing fatigue is important for having a successful study session, as trying to push through pain means that I usually forget whatever I was studying and just remember feeling miserable.
Related links
- Activity Ideas For Vision Breaks
- Reduce Glare In The Classroom For Low Vision Students
- Tips For Keeping A Dorm Room Clean With Chronic Illness
More study tips for visually impaired students
- Studying for a test? Make sure that testing accommodations have been approved or set up before test day! Read more in Testing Accommodations For Low Vision Students
- Want to find more academic resources on a specific topic? Use the site:edu search filter when searching for content to get results from academic institutions, or use the other tips outlined in How To Search For Study Resources Online
- One of my favorite studying strategies is to pretend I am writing a post on a topic that I am learning about, which can include creating a “brain dump” of what I already know, identifying gaps in knowledge, and organizing information into multiple sections. I share more about this process in How I Outline Research Papers With OneNote, but sometimes I just write everything in a single document instead of a notebook.
- Personally, I prefer studying at my own computer/desk instead of going somewhere else, but students can still access assistive technology even when studying at the library. Learn more in Awesome On-Campus College Library Resources
- Food is fuel, and some students may prefer to meal prep a few easy/favorite meals to eat during study breaks. I like taking longer breaks to cook or eat with a friend or family member, because I can talk to them about what I’m learning and get away from screens for a bit.
Published September 3, 2024. Updated January 2025