[Athen] Seeking Guidance: Supporting a Newly Blind Student in Online STEM Courses

[Mariotti, Tamara via athen-list]

I would work with the student to supplement textbook graphics with tactile learning. There are a lot of 3D printers now on campuses. American Printing house<https://www.aph.org/search-results/?fwp_search_term=tactile+science> has a tactile library, and you can order already created science tactile designs. Use of a lab partner specifically to assist the learning in the labs and to describe to the student. Tutoring specifically to support the student. Some combination of all of these.

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Bishop, Jeff - (jeffbis) via athen-list
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 8:01 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Seeking Guidance: Supporting a Newly Blind Student in Online STEM Courses

Hello all,

We are working with a student who will be taking statistics, organic chemistry, and physiology-entirely online. She is newly blind and is currently learning JAWS for Windows. Notably, she has taken the chemistry course before as a sighted student.
We are in the process of seeking academic aid, but we are also very concerned about how to best support her with aspects of these classes that are highly visual, particularly the 3D models and computer-based work that are integral to chemistry and physiology.
Have any of you faced a similar situation? If so, how did you approach accommodations for courses that rely heavily on visual and spatial content? Any specific recommendations for tools, strategies, or approaches that worked well for students in these disciplines would be very helpful.

We sincerely appreciate any guidance or resources you can share.

Thank you,

Jeff Bishop

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