7 Accessibility Tools That Make Learning More Inclusive

Today, accessibility tools are a large part of the way students learn, and after spending weeks researching them, I’ve come to the conclusion that accessibility tools have tremendous power. One such tool — text-to-speech — reads the words on a screen out loud. This is a great aid for students with low vision, dyslexia, or who prefer to learn by listening. Another tool that’s just as important is speech-to-text, in which you talk and the device types for you. That gives students who have problems with mobility, with spelling, processing, or writing — anything else — a way to express their thoughts without getting stuck on spelling or typing speed. Closed captions are also a way of promoting accessibility (especially for those who are deaf or hard of hearing), but they’re great if, and when, you can follow educational videos at your own pace or in noisy places—you know it works.

Many devices also provide powerful visual features like zoom and magnification, used to expand text, images, or any part of the screen to a bigger size. Students who struggle with reading small print or with using visual aids are able to zoom in without the support of any special software. It is also easy on users who are comfortable in high-contrast mode and can easily read the screen, thanks to a color change to minimize eye strain and make text more prominent on the screen. It can be beneficial for students suffering from issues with visual processing, low vision, or simply tired eyes during lengthy periods of study. Screen readers that read menu items, buttons, and images on the screen are crucial for either blind or severely vision-impaired students. They enable users to go through apps, homework, and websites using sound and not sight. Finally, color filters are used to help students with color blindness view differences between colors that may appear similar. It may seem trivial, but it helps the charts, graphs, maps, and classroom illustrations to be far more understandable.

When you see those tools all together, accessibility isn’t just about accommodating disabilities but about giving every student the chance to learn in the way that works best for them. These features create classrooms where all types of learners can feel confident, supported, and included. And the best part is that most of these tools are already built into the phones, tablets, and computers we use every day. By understanding them and using them when needed, we help make education a place where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.