[Athen] Data analysis software that works with screen reader

[Björn Fisseler via athen-list]

Good morning,

while much has already been written about R, RStudio and accessibility, 
I still would like to add one or two reference:

 1. While RStudio is the go-to IDE until today for most R users, posit,
    the company behind RStudio, recently released Positron as their new
    data science code editor. Depending on what the student is taught
    Positron (https://posit.co/products/ide/positron/) might be another
    alternative, as it is based on Microsoft's Code-OSS architecture and
    more text-based than RStudio.
 2. Depending on what the student is expecting to do, the R console
    might be another option. RStudio is a relatively complex software
    with four different window areas and many (many!) functions. I
    regularly use RStudio in my academic job and I am really used to it,
    but many of our students (psychology) have difficulties
    understanding RStudio and doing the most basic tasks such as loading
    and working with data. So the R console might offer a more
    simplified and easier to understand interface. And you don't loose
    any of the R-related functionality that RStudio offers in a GUI. I
    don't think that the students are expected to use git?
 3. Jonathan Godfrey and his work on R and accessibility was already
    mentioned. He offers valuable ressources for using R as a blind
    user. But the more advanced functions are based on the BrailleR
    package. This package comes with helper and convenience functions
    addressing the needs of blind users. And this is where you for
    example can get a written description of basic R plots (see chapter
    4 https://r-resources.massey.ac.nz/BrailleRInAction/VI.html) or even
    more advanced plots using ggplot2 (see chapter 10
    https://r-resources.massey.ac.nz/BrailleRInAction/GGPlot.html).

While there are some ressources for blind R users I think it would be 
best to also take a look at the course syllabus to better decide which 
tools can help the student succeed. Getting the lecturer involved can 
make her/him aware of the student's needs and how to consider these 
needs in the classroom. What I mean by this is that, as the package 
BrailleR could be important for the student, she/he should learn how to 
install and use R packages early. Also verbalizing complex diagrams and 
data plots could be of help in the classroom. There are also approaches 
for sonification/audification of data 
(https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/sonify/index.html) but I 
consider these more research-oriented than of real use in day-to-day 
work. And there are even more ressources on creating colorblind-friendly 
plots using R and ggplot2.

Before I forget, as the question was for data analysis software: There 
is also jamovi, a GUI-based data analysis software built on top of R. 
This means you can use R but also have all the GUI convenience that SPSS 
offers. Jamovi also provides extensive info on accessibility: 
https://www.jamovi.org/a11y.html

Hope that helps!

Best

     Björn Fisseler

Am 06.09.25 um 21:00 schrieb via athen-list:

> Message: 1

> Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2025 20:48:50 +0000

> From: "Wise, Erika via athen-list"<athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> To:"athen-list at u.washington.edu" <athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> Subject: [Athen] Data analysis software that works with screen reader

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> I have a student who needs data analysis software that works with a screen reader.  A brief Google search mentions Umwelt and RStudio, but I know very little about these and if they will meet the student's needs.  From what I read it seems these may focus more on coding while the student needs something that focuses more on statistics (shoulder shrug).  My only experience with stats/data analysis was from a psych stats course I took over 10 years ago when SPSS was the preferred program.  Any suggestions?  Is anyone familiar with Umwelt or RStudio?

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

> ERIKA WISE, MS, CRC

> Assistant Director

> Alternative Testing Center & Adaptive Technology

> erika.wise at uta.edu<mailto:erika.wise at uta.edu>

> Office: (817) 272-3420

> @utasarcenter

> 601 S. Nedderman Dr.

> University Hall 104

> Arlington, Texas 76019

> [The University of Texas at Arlington]



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