As part of my EDAT 649 coursework at George Mason University, I worked with a low vision student who was searching for accessible anatomy resources that could be accessed both visually and with a screen reader. I knew that 3D anatomy models would be easier for them to enlarge in high resolution compared to 2D images, and was thrilled when I found Visible Body Suite and its huge collection of 3D models and study resources. The student was super excited about all of the Visible Body Suite accessibility features and told me it was one of their new favorite study resources, and they are still using it in their classes a year later.
Visible Body Suite released a new accessibility update (Product 5.4.58) that has improved screen reader access, and the student I worked with recently reminded me that I should add a post about using accessible 3D anatomy models with low vision. Here is an overview of Visible Body Suite accessibility for low vision, focusing on the 3D anatomy models.
Overview of Visible Body Suite
Visible Body Suite (VB) is a 3D anatomy atlas and reference/study tool that provides information and digital models for anatomy reference, muscles and kinesiology, physiology and pathology, biology, and study content. Within VB, users can explore models of over 5,000 interactive and medically accurate anatomical structures, covering systemic and regional anatomy as well as options for male and female anatomical structures. A one-year student subscription includes access to the full anatomy atlas and additional study resources and costs $35 USD.
VB is available as an iOS and Android application, as well as a web application that can be accessed with no downloads required on a desktop or laptop computer. VB Suite supports seven languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.
Related links
Searching for a model
Once a user logs into their VB account and opens the Human Anatomy section of the app, they can search for content by name using the search bar, or filter by systems, regions, pathology, or histology. Users can locate models using VoiceOver and/or using keyboard access to tab through different sections, or use screen magnification to enlarge text— the text size is fairly small, so I recommend either searching by name or exploring regions through touch to locate structures of interest.
Once a model is open, users can also search for other models using the Anatomy Search menu, which also contains a nested list of structures in anatomical order. To view another structure with the Anatomy Search menu, double click on the blue text next to a list item (the blue text reads Add, then once clicked displays Show me— clicking it twice will activate Show me so the user can view the model).
Exploring systems visually
Another option for viewing different components of a model is to explore larger systems or sections and to tap/click on different sections to view more details of an individual section. For example, when viewing a model of a skull, users can select smaller structures such as teeth or components of the skull, which are highlighted in blue as they are selected. Users can also “stack” systems on top of each other by selecting different systems from the Systems menu in the upper left corner of the screen (such as skeletal, lymphatic, etc) to view surrounding structures, or isolate the view to only one type of system.
In addition, users can open additional Related Content that shows different angles or views of models and systems. These can be a mix of 3D models, videos, or other educational content like flashcards or textbook excerpts.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- How To Describe Science Experiments For Visually Impaired Students
- The Best Study Tips For Visually Impaired Students
Viewing model details
When opening a model, users can pan, rotate, and zoom in to view the model using their mouse scroll wheel or pinch-to-zoom.
After selecting the Show Me link or otherwise selecting a model, a flyout menu will appear with more information and options. Selecting the speaker icon will read the pronunciation of the selected structure, and users can also listen to the definition/description of the item by either using a screen reader or selecting the book icon and then the talking head icon to have information read out loud. The font size of this section cannot be enlarged further within the application, though users can configure the speaking rate within the Settings menu at the top of the screen or use screen magnification.
Visible Body Suite viewing options
To view models individually with no other surrounding structures, users can select Isolate Mode, whose icon is a small light blue box next to three gray stacked gray boxes. This will “isolate” the structure on its own so it can be examined with 360-degree rotation and zoom to examine different visual features. Once finished, users can select the back button next to the Views label in the top-left corner of the screen.
To view additional system overlays, users can select the Radius Blast icon, a light blue round icon next to the text label for a given structure (see image below). This will add additional systems and components on top of the selected area, which is ideal for exploring other surrounding structures or layers of a given model. Radius Blast can also be enabled within Isolate Mode for a more narrow view of a given area.
At the bottom of the screen, there is an icon for the Dissect tool, which removes a selected structure or layer from view, similar to another feature called Hide. When Dissect is selected, the Hide button turns blue, and the item can be restored by selecting the Hide button again, which will change the color back to gray.
Viewing muscle attachments and bony landmarks
For skeletal system models and other similar components, users can view bony landmarks and muscle attachments to get more detailed information. Both can be accessed by selecting the multicolor Details icon, next to Isolate Mode.
Bony landmarks are color-coded bone structures that each represent a different item. By selecting a colored item, users can read a label and/or definition of each section, but cannot view the smaller sections in Isolate Mode.
Muscle attachments are colored rectangles that each represent connecting structures. Red points represent origins or foundational structures, while blue points represent insertions or items that are added on top. These models can be rotated 360-degrees and enlarged further to view additional details.
Related links
How to explore details of 3D models
One of the benefits of examining 3D digital models is that they can be enlarged at a higher resolution than 2D images of the same models, with options for 360-degree rotation, setting custom views, and exploring surrounding structures. VB supports the following gestures and input options for viewing details of models:
Keyboard access shortcuts
- Spacebar: Hold down spacebar and click to move the camera in the direction the mouse is moved.
- W, S, A, and D keys: Use to pan the camera in the selected direction (up, down, left, and right).
- Arrow keys: Use to rotate the camera in the selected direction.
- – /=: Hold down the dash key to zoom out or hold down the equals key to zoom towards the model.
- Shift: Hold down and click to select multiple objects.
- H: Pressing the ‘H’ key cycles between the solid and hidden states of selected objects.
- V : Pressing the ‘V’ key cycles between the solid and transparent states of selected objects.
- O : Pressing the ‘O’ key hides all unselected objects and shows and solidifies all selected objects.
- P : Hold down and click to select the object’s parent. Click on the 3D model to select an object. The object will turn blue and its name and location will appear in the status bar above the model.
- Ctrl + Mouse Buttons: Click on the 3D model and drag your mouse to rotate. Double-click on the 3D model to zoom in on that object
- T: Hold down and click to select through transparent objects.
- X or Y: Hold down and click on the model to rotate only in the x or y-axis.
- Home: Press the Home key to reset the camera view to it‘s original position.
- End: Press the End key to unhide all hidden objects.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6: Pressing each of these keys sets the camera to a predefined view. The views are: 1: Anterior, 2: Posterior, 3: Right, 4: Left, 5: Superior, 6: Inferior
- 7 8 9 0: Holding the Ctrl key and pressing keys 7-0 will store your current view. Press the numeric key again (without CTRL) to return to this view at a later time.
Mouse input
- Use the mouse-wheel to adjust the zoom level of the camera.
- Hold down the mouse-wheel button to pan.
Mobile Device Gestures for app
- Tap on the 3D model to select an object.
- Double-tap on the 3D model to zoom in on the object.
- Three finger drag to pan in the selected direction. Pinch open and closed to adjust the zoom level.
Related links
Visible Body Suite accessibility features
Visible Body Suite offers an accessibility mode for screen reader users that can be automatically activated in the mobile app when using VoiceOver or TalkBack. For the web application, users will need to select “Enable Accessibility Mode” from a list of hyperlinks when opening the app in a web browser. When used with a screen reader, VB supports searching for models, reading headings and paragraph-level text, and dissecting/hiding structures using the following methods:
- Open the system tray to add and/or remove groups of structures across systems
- Enter text in Content Search to locate areas of interest and select Hide/Show in the Info box
- Use the Hierarch feature to highlight structures and hide/show structures within the same body system
Visible Body Suite has an accessibility roadmap listed on their website with current limitations for screen reader access, as well as an email address for submitting feedback.
Other accessibility features available within Visible Body Suite for low vision include:
- Options for using a black, white, or gray background for models (configured in Settings).
- Reference body/translucent overlay that provides context about where items are located in relation to the body.
- Option to turn high quality mode on/off to help with slower internet speeds.
For a student with low vision, VB would be used to search for and enlarge visual models of different structures that are included in a textbook, mentioned in class, shared as specimens, or that are of interest to the student. The primary benefit of using VB with low vision is to access the large, high-quality 3D models and examine visual details, with a secondary benefit being able to read definitions or labels with text-to-speech.
Related links
- Accessibility in VB Suite (support page)
- Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
- Using Microsoft 3D Models With Low Vision
Sharing/saving links to models
Users can save models or share links with other VB users by selecting the Share Link icon in the bottom right corner of the screen, which will share the link in text form or as a QR code. Links can be opened later on by selecting the Launch Link icon in the top right corner of the screen and pasting a link. Alternatively, users can select the Save View icon in the bottom right corner which looks like a star, and save the view they are looking at for later— the saved view can be located using the search feature.
More information on Visible Body Suite accessibility and accessible anatomy
- Looking for a way to make 2D anatomy graphics accessible? I share several strategies in How To Modify Accessible Anatomy Graphics For Low Vision
- The student I worked with reported also enjoying the flashcards feature available through Visible Body, and that it had been a helpful study resource for them. Another strategy for finding accessible flashcards is to search on Quizlet— learn more in How I Use Quizlet With Low Vision
- Taking an anatomy or biology class and need ideas for accessible microscopes? Check out Choosing Accessible Microscopes For Low Vision
- I created this resource as part of my EDAT 649 class (AT Assessment) at George Mason University. Check out more free resources I created for this class by visiting EDAT 649 Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
Published April 18, 2024. Updated March 2025