Seeing Beyond Sight: My Journey into Assistive Technology for Vision Loss

When I first started learning about assistive technology for people with vision loss, I honestly thought it was just about tools that help “replace” sight. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized it’s really about helping people learn, connect, and be independent in their own way and that is way more meaningful than I expected.

Even though I wear glasses, this topic made me reflect on how much I rely on my own vision when I’m learning. I’m always reading, watching videos, or looking at slides, and I never really questioned it before. I always have my glasses with me. But it made me realize how easily someone with vision loss could be left out if the right supports aren’t in place. That really shifted my thinking about what fairness in the classroom actually looks like.

One of the coolest things I learned about was screen readers (Read Aloud, Immersive Speaker, and Speak in Microsoft). These programs read text out loud from a computer or phone, which allows students to navigate things independently. At first, I couldn’t imagine how someone could keep up just by listening, but after seeing examples, it actually seems efficient. It definitely challenged how I think learning 'should' happen.

I also found braille displays interesting. They turn digital text into braille that you can feel with your fingers. I like that this keeps reading and writing skills strong while still adapting to the student’s needs. It made me realize that assistive technology is not about taking something away, it is about giving access in a different way.

Another thing that stood out to me was how powerful smartphones can be. There are apps that can read text out loud, describe objects, or even help someone understand their surroundings. That’s huge, especially in a classroom. Just being able to read a worksheet or recognize materials on your own can make such a difference in a student’s confidence.

One of the biggest takeaways for me is how important the teacher’s role is in all of this. These tools are only helpful if educators actually know about them and use them properly, for example the activities available through Boardmaker. As a future educator, I feel its my responsibility to keep learning about these technologies and make sure my classroom is as inclusive as possible. Inclusion is not just about being in the same room, it is about actually being able to participate.

This really cemented for me that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every student is different, and what works for one might not work for another. That means being flexible, patient, and open to trying different strategies.

To help me understand all of this better, I watched a video showing how screen readers are used in real life. It made everything feel more real and easier to connect to what a student might actually experience. It also made me curious to keep learning more.

Overall, this experience really changed how I think about vision loss and learning. It’s not about limitations, it’s about different ways of accessing the world. Assistive technology can open so many doors, and as educators, we play a big role in making sure those doors stay open.

This is definitely something I’ll carry with me moving forward.