When I first started speaking at college transition events for students with visual impairments, I would receive questions about what’s in my college backpack and what I typically bring to class as a student with low vision studying in a technology-focused major. To help other students figure out what to bring, I dumped the entirety of my backpack onto my bed one night and made this list of what was inside my backpack and the things I bring to college classes, based on my experiences as an on-campus student studying data science and assistive technology.
The backpack
Most colleges don’t have restrictions on what kind of backpacks students are allowed to bring to class; most of my classmates carry a two-strap backpack similar to what they likely used in high school. Other students carry a tote bag or purse that is large enough to accommodate whatever they need to bring. One thing that I make sure of is that whatever I bring can be easy located on the floor and that it provides high contrast on common classroom surfaces; having a black backpack blend into the black floor can make it more difficult to locate items.
On a few occasions, I’ve had to bring oversized items to class like my bass clarinet, bulkier assistive technology devices, or a suitcase/duffel bag with materials for a presentation or event. In these situations, I typically keep the item directly in front of my desk since I sit in the front row, or I ask the professor if I can store the item behind their desk or against a wall so that it didn’t block any pathways.
Related links
- Choosing A Backpack With Low Vision
- Choosing A Backpack With Chronic Pain
- Tips For Taking Online Classes As An On-Campus Student
- How I Play In GMU Green Machine/Pep Band With Low Vision
Writing
Sharpie Pens
The vast majority of my assignments are digital, but sometimes I have to fill out a paper quiz or other coursework by hand, so I use high contrast Sharpie pens. These are an approved disability accommodation because I can’t read pencil due to a contrast deficiency, and I had to get separate accommodations to use them for in-class assignments and for exams. Some of my professors also ask me to use specific colors when writing, usually if they are colorblind.
Dry Erase Markers
I bring a small dry-erase board with me to math classes for taking notes and working through quick problems, and have some dry erase markers with dark, saturated colors that are easy for me to read. I also carry broad tip markers in case I notice I’m having trouble reading the faded markers my professors are using, and I can ask them to write with my personal markers instead so that the notes are easier to see for everyone.
Cardstock
With the use of pens and markers, I need to have paper that won’t have ink bleed through. I have several sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock that I use for writing out formulas, taking quick handwritten notes, or for drawing charts/graphs that I scan with Microsoft Lens. I can also use it as a line tracker or use it to create an impromptu sign.
Dry erase board
Measuring around 8 inches by 10 inches, my dry erase whiteboard is another helpful tool for making quick sketches that I can scan with Microsoft Lens, but may not need to reference in a physical format later on. I also have boards in my dorm room and at my desk for writing, as I find it easier to write in large print sizes with markers.
Related links
- Writing Aids For Low Vision: My Personal Superlatives
- How I Use Microsoft Lens With Low Vision
- Paper Sizes and Low Vision Accessibility
- Dry-Erase Eraser Alternatives For Low Vision
- Adapting Math Sketches: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How To Make Things On The Board Easier To See
Personal technology
Microsoft Surface
My college offers free Microsoft software products for all students, and many of my classes rely on Windows-based applications. I’ve had two different Surface laptops between undergraduate and graduate school, and love their lightweight design and performance when working with multiple applications simultaneously. Depending on the class, I sometimes have additional peripheral accessories such as a full keyboard, mouse, or external webcam that can serve as a magnifier, but the bulk of my schoolwork is actually completed on a desktop computer in my dorm.
iPad
I love using my iPad for reading textbooks, following along with presentations on a second screen, or taking notes in my lab classes where I have a smaller desk size due to the larger amount of computers in the classroom. I also prefer to use my iPad for checking email, since the adjustable slanted display can be placed under the bifocal in my glasses.
Android phone
I’ve only had two professors that enforced a no-phone policy, but I use my phone for two-factor authentication, troubleshooting technology, and scanning information during class. I have an entire post about how I use my phone as assistive technology, but out of all of the devices in my backpack I probably use this one the least often because I often prefer to read content on larger screens.
Related links
- Questions To Ask When Choosing A Laptop For College
- Questions To Ask When Choosing A Desktop Computer For College
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- How I Use My Phone As Assistive Technology In Class
Assistive technology
Video magnifier
I have both a video magnifier and a small no-tech magnifying glass in my backpack for enlarging information. To be honest, I prefer the video magnifier because it has more options for adjusting how content is displayed, including customizing the magnification level and adding additional display filters. The smaller magnifier is still helpful for reading short text or in emergencies.
Blindness cane
My blindness cane helps me navigate campus and unfamiliar environments, and collapses into smaller segments when not in use. I store my cane in the water bottle component of my backpack during class, or sometimes inside of the main compartment. My friends who have straight canes that cannot be collapsed usually rest their canes on the floor or against a wall.
CCTV/Large video magnifier
This item alone would take up the entirety of my backpack, so it’s technically in a separate backpack when I do need to take it to class. I received the HIMS E-Bot Pro through the vocational rehabilitation program in my home state (commonwealth) of Virginia, which is used for distance magnification and enlarging things like books or paper copies of exams.
Related links
- Magnifying Glasses For Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- iOS Magnifier and Low Vision Accessibility
- Ten Things To Know About Going To College With A Blindness Cane
- Vocational Rehabilitation for College Students
Miscellaneous items
Pain relief tools
I have an unpredictable chronic illness, so I keep small amounts of over-the-counter medication and small items that I can use for pain relief or managing a flare. Some items I have brought in the past include Lidocaine patches, a pair of scissors for opening items, bandages in a drawstring bag with Neosporin, a small massage tool, and a pair of sunglasses for uncomfortably bright environments.
Nonperishable snack
Whenever I go to the dining hall, I like to grab a small snack for later that I can have if I get hungry. This can be something like a piece of fruit, a small dessert, granola bars, nut butter, or popcorn. I try to avoid items that contain common allergens like nuts because one of my professors had to ban nut-containing products from one of the classrooms due to someone having a highly sensitive allergy, and I didn’t want to worry about the residue causing an unwanted reaction.
Earplugs
College can be a very noisy place! While I don’t like wearing over-ear headphones since they hurt my neck, wearing earplugs or unplugged earbuds can help to muffle noise or at least block out distractions. I also have an actual pair of headphones in case I need them for a class activity or have to use a screen reader/text-to-speech.
Related links
- Disability and Classroom Accommodations For POTS
- Organizing A Dorm Mini Fridge With Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
More about what’s in my college backpack
- The contents of my backpack look slightly different when I travel to a satellite campus- learn more in What’s In My Backpack: Commuting To Satellite Campus
- Wondering where my textbooks are? All of my textbooks are digital- learn more in How To Request Accessible Textbooks In College
- To figure out what assistive technology solutions I would need for class, I met with the assistive technology specialist at my college. Learn more in What To Know About College Assistive Technology Specialists
Published June 29, 2017. Updated November 2024