Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Advice on taking online courses that involve graphs (self.Blind)
submitted by djquik1
I am taking two courses in college right now, micro economics and Data management which rely on graphs.
Today I was taking a quiz which had a couple questions that I had to answer by looking at the graph. I guessed my way through them and somehow got a couple right. I obviously can’t keep doing that.
I will email the teachers and let them about this.
Anybody have any tips?
I might also need to be doing some graphing. I looked online and found the desmos graphing calculator had some screen reader support. Has anyone ever used it?
Today I was taking a quiz which had a couple questions that I had to answer by looking at the graph. I guessed my way through them and somehow got a couple right. I obviously can’t keep doing that.
I will email the teachers and let them about this.
Anybody have any tips?
I might also need to be doing some graphing. I looked online and found the desmos graphing calculator had some screen reader support. Has anyone ever used it?
So_Wholesome 4 points 1y ago
If you're in the US they legally have to accommodate for this, even if via image description of some kind, or to have an aid available in real time who can answer questions about the graph. Have you checked if your school has an accessibility office of some kind? They'll also have more resources.
DecisionThot 3 points 1y ago
This is true for public schools, but not for private universities. Some have great disability resource centers, most don't. Good luck finding a DRC with someone who knows how to create tactile graphs.
My best advice is look into acquiring a Braille Note Touch Plus through HumanWare, possibly by writing a grant. The touch plus comes with a graphing calculator installed.
My best advice is look into acquiring a Braille Note Touch Plus through HumanWare, possibly by writing a grant. The touch plus comes with a graphing calculator installed.
djquik1 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I am in Canada. I have an appointment with the accessibility department on Monday.I’ll bring that up
divgirlarb 4 points 1y ago
you might want to talk to your university/school to provide tactile printed graphs for you to learn from and for your exams
djquik1 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
The courses are online though
Laser_Lens_4 2 points 1y ago
Hey there. I'm a fair bit less advanced than you, but I've been struggling with the same issue.
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So far, I've gotten good use out of an Orion TI 84 Plus (a talking graphing calculator). I'm also having tactile graphs made. I'm experimenting with tactile graph paper, bump dots, pipe cleaners, and Wikki Sticks. Someone at the disability office is also working on a corkboard thing with a 3D-printed quadrant plain on top which might come in handy. Graphs can also be printed on swell paper which will create tactile ridges for you to feel. Failing that, simpler graphs can be described with enough information to convey what's important, and you can learn some functions well enough that you might be able to visualize the line or curve without needing to graph it. It's been working for me so far.
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So far, I've gotten good use out of an Orion TI 84 Plus (a talking graphing calculator). I'm also having tactile graphs made. I'm experimenting with tactile graph paper, bump dots, pipe cleaners, and Wikki Sticks. Someone at the disability office is also working on a corkboard thing with a 3D-printed quadrant plain on top which might come in handy. Graphs can also be printed on swell paper which will create tactile ridges for you to feel. Failing that, simpler graphs can be described with enough information to convey what's important, and you can learn some functions well enough that you might be able to visualize the line or curve without needing to graph it. It's been working for me so far.
Shadowwynd 2 points 1y ago
ViewPlus (which also sells embossers that can make tactile graphics) sells software called AudioGraphing Calculator ( https://viewplus.com/product/audio-graphing-calculator/ $195). This (windows only) software generates a tone that corresponds to the graph and is designed to be used by the blind. They have a 30-day trial version.
Other than that, your best bet is a tactile embosser (like others have said). They are pricey, starting around $5000; this is why another poster mentioned a grant or something to help fund one.
Someone can make tactile graphics (high-tech) with a 3D printer, or low-tech by embossing thick foil with a stylus. Both of these ways take a fair amount of time and skill to do correctly.
Other than that, your best bet is a tactile embosser (like others have said). They are pricey, starting around $5000; this is why another poster mentioned a grant or something to help fund one.
Someone can make tactile graphics (high-tech) with a 3D printer, or low-tech by embossing thick foil with a stylus. Both of these ways take a fair amount of time and skill to do correctly.
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