Back to School Supplies by Level of Vision
With the back-to-school season upon us, school supplies are a hot topic. As all parents work to ensure their kids have all the necessary school supplies, parents and teachers of kids who are blind or have low vision are tasked instead with finding alternative supplies and methods for their students to participate in class. The below list is by no means comprehensive, but has been compiled to provide some guidance for answering this annual question. We’ve divided the list into two categories: supplies for someone who is totally blind and supplies for someone who has low vision. These categories are not exclusive, with especially those items in the totally blind category also having many applicable uses for someone with low vision. We hope this list provides some valuable insight into what is available. If you have questions or would like to suggest other items so we can expand this list for future school years, please contact our Youth Services Coordinator, Gillian, by emailing gconrad@myvcb.org.
Totally Blind
1. Meta AI Glasses
The Meta glasses (available in both Ray-Ban and Oakley styles) have taken the blind and low vision world by storm. They are designed to be operated entirely through speech and audio cues making them perfectly adapted to use by anyone with vision loss. Useful tools for the classroom include the ability to read printed text aloud, provide visual descriptions, and connect to helpful apps such as Be My Eyes. They also allow students to take pictures and video which can help with notetaking needs. They’re also stylish and can be fitted with prescription lenses if those apply, as well as tinted or transition lenses that can help with light sensitivity. Link: Meta AI Glasses
2. Braille Display
A braille display device can enhance computer use. There are a variety on the market so the linked article from American Foundation for the Blind provides a breakdown of a variety of different refreshable braille displays. The purpose of these devices is to display computer content to be read in braille. Many also come with notetaking and other common computer applications like a calculator, calendar, browser, word processing and more. Many also allow users to type in braille like you would on a Perkins Brailler rather than touch typing on a computer keyboard. Link: Braille Display
3. Braille Labeler
A braille labeler allows users to make fully customizable braille sticker labels. This can be useful for labeling personal items, labeling in the classroom and even labeling in the home. Link: Braille Labeler
4. Braille Label Stickers
Similar to the braille labeler above, these allow for easy labeling for personal items and labeling needs both in the classroom or at home. These have the added benefit of printed letters so are easily used by sighted supporters as well. Link: Braille Label Stickers
5. The Braille Doodle
The Braille Doodle is a fantastic tool for both braille learners and those who already read braille alike. This tool is double sided with one side being ideal for learning and practicing the letters and numbers and practicing writing words and complete sentences, while the other side has open space that can be used for drawing, graphing, diagrams and use with the provided stencils. Link: The Braille Doodle
6. Victor Reader Stream 3 – Handheld Media Player
A Victor Stream is a popular media streaming device and notetaker designed for people with low or no vision. It allows the streaming of music, audiobooks and more with access to common apps and programs like Bookshare, BARD, and more. In a classroom setting, its most helpful feature allows users to record audio that can be saved and accessed later which is super helpful for notetaking, recording due dates etc. Link: Victor Reader Stream 3
Low Vision
1. Writing Guides
Writing guides are helpful for someone with little to no remaining vision who has had sight in the past. They come in different shapes and sizes for different purposes. The linked set is included to show some of the variety available. In a school setting, the most helpful is likely the full page option although they also make options for check writing, addressing envelopes, signing documents etc. They work by laying over the paper so that the individual can see and/or feel the lines and follow the guide as they write in print. Link: Writing Guides
2. Humanware Explore 12 – Portable Video Magnifier
This is the magnifier VCB most often recommends for students. This CCTV style unit allows users to customize magnification and color settings, and write easily underneath its stand without compromising the view. It is easily mobile, comes with a great carrying case, and also has a distance camera option to go back and forth from the near view to looking at the teacher or board. Link: Humanware Explore 12
3. SightCare Clover 6 HD
This digital magnifier offers many of the same features of the above at a lower price point and in a more compact package. With similar customizable magnification and color/contrast features as well as both up close and distance capabilities, the biggest difference with this device is its reliance on a more handheld setup. While it has a small stand for reading, the stand does not allow as easily for writing underneath the magnifier, so that should be factored into the decision. Link: SightCare Clover 6 HD
4. 20-20-style BoldWriter 20 Pen
These pens are designed for people with low vision. They allow for writing in bold thick black lines often associated with Sharpies. The major difference here is they are quick-drying to avoid smudges, they don’t have that signature strong smell, and they don’t bleed through paper. Link: 20-20-style BoldWriter 20 Pen
5. Low Vision Writing Paper
Low vision writing paper is available in both legal pad and notebook styles with thick black lines and increased writing space between lines. Link: Low Vision Writing Paper
6. Tinted Plastic Reading Sheets
These are great for low vision users as the sheets make words become clearer due to the contrast these sheets provide by being placed over any colored sheet of paper with printed materials. With the right overlay color, reading becomes faster and more accurate, tracking improves as fewer words or lines are skipped, and discomfort is reduced because the material is less stressful to look at. Link: Tinted Plastic Reading Sheets
We hope this list serves as a helpful guide for knowing what works best for students to work more independently at school. Additionally, we’d love to hear more suggestions from students or parents/teachers of students who are blind/low vision about what tools have helped them succeed in school. For more comments and suggestions, please send them to our Youth Services Coordinator, Gillian, at gconrad@myvcb.org.