HapWare on Making Education Accessible

As the new school year approaches, accessibility is top of mind for many students, and it should be. For blind and low vision learners, having access to course materials in the right format can be a hassle.

Whether you're a student navigating higher education, a family member supporting a learner, or an educator looking to make your classroom more inclusive, here are practical steps to help ensure blind and low vision students start the year equipped and empowered.

1. Connect with Disability Services Early

Your campus disability services office is your first point of contact. They can help coordinate:

• Accessible textbooks
  

• Extended testing time
  

• Adaptive equipment
  

• Notetaking support
  Reach out as early as possible to ensure everything is in place before classes begin.
  

2. Request Electronic Textbooks

Ask professors or publishers for accessible digital formats such as:

• EPUB
  

• Accessible PDFs
  

• DAISY files
  These formats are typically more compatible with screen readers and Braille displays. Great platforms to explore include:
  

• Bookshare
  

• Learning Ally
  

• VitalSource
  

3. Use Student Volunteer Notetakers

Many universities offer peer note-takers through disability services. If writing or typing is a barrier, especially if there are several visual components to a class, notetaking support can be a game changer. 

4. Know Your Rights

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, students are legally entitled to timely access to course content in the format they need. If materials aren’t accessible, speak up! 

5. Leverage Assistive Technology

Modern tools are making independent learning more achievable than ever. Depending on your preferences and needs, you might explore:

• Screen readers like JAWS, VoiceOver, or NVDA
  

• Braille displays and embossers
  

• OCR apps for converting printed material
  

• Wearable assistive technology, like our own AlEye, which pairs smart glasses and a haptic wristband to support nonverbal communication in real time.
  

A Huge Thank-You to the Accessibility Champions

We’re incredibly grateful for organizations like Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials (AT & AEM) and OCALI, which provide accessible learning tools, training, and advocacy resources. If you're looking for how to obtain AEM, here’s a great starting point:
🔗 Obtaining AEM | ATAEM

These networks are essential in ensuring students get what they need to succeed and in holding educational systems accountable to do better.

Our CTO, Dr. Bryan Duarte, Pitched at 2Gether International!

Our brilliant CTO, Dr. Bryan Duarte, recently pitched at the 2Gether International Assistive Tech Pitch Competition, a global platform for disabled founders building the future of accessibility. We’re proud to stand beside him as he continues to lead our team in designing solutions that make technology more intuitive, inclusive, and wearable.

AlEye was built from the lived experience of blind engineers for the real-world needs of blind and low vision users. 

💬 Final Thoughts

Accessibility is a shared responsibility between institutions, educators, students, families, and innovators. If you're navigating the world of accessible education, know that you're not alone, and there are tools and people ready to support you.

Have tips, questions, or your own story to share? Let’s keep the conversation going.

#AccessibilityMatters #BlindStudents #LowVisionSupport #InclusiveEducation #BackToSchool #AssistiveTechnology #HapWare #WearableTech #EdTech #DisabilityInclusion #2GetherInternational #DrBryanDuarte #AccessIsOpportunity