Students who are blind or visually impaired may use computers that have software that converts text to speech or magnifies the size of text on the screen.  Screen readers can only access electronic text so graphics, pictures, and other images probably will not be accessible for the student who is blind.  Software that enlarges text on the screen will allow the student to only see a small portion of the screen at a time.  Therefore, students with visual impairments may have difficulty with web sites that have multiple different images.  The following suggestions should help in serving students with visual impairments.

• Before deciding which online program to use, consider how a student who is blind or visually impaired will access the information you are presenting.  Often software producers do not consider access when creating the program. Creating access after the fact is much more complicated, so if at all possible, use technology that meets the university's accessibility standards, which can be viewed at this website: Web Accessibility Initiative. 
• Students who are blind or visually impaired may need textbooks in an alternate format.  Staff at DSD can order some textbooks on CD.  However most students with visual impairments prefer to have text scanned into an electronic format.  This allows the student to either listen to the text or to use a device that will allow him/her to read it in Braille.  Carlos Taylor, Ball State's Adaptive Computer Technology Specialist (RB 134G; 285-2000; cetaylor@bsu.edu) can facilitate this. 
• If the student requests any exam accommodations such as extended time or a reader and/or recorder of answers, you may refer the student to DSD to assist in the provision of these accommodations.  If you use Inqsit for online exams, DSD can simply program in the necessary extended time for the student.  If you use Blackboard and a student needs extended time for an exam, you will need to create a separate section of the exam for the student and extend the time allotted for the test.  This is a quick and simple process.  Hamid Tabariasl (285-1844; htabaria@bsu.edu) can assist with this.