Bridging STEM Accessibility Gaps

Creating accessible instructional content and assessments can be challenging for any course, but STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) courses requiring the use of complex mathematical equations, scientific formulas, or special symbols can make the challenges more difficult. Some of these challenges require subject-specific solutions.

On this page, our goal is simply to point KSU STEM faculty to external articles, modules, training, and resources that are available. We plan to continue updating this page, so if there are resources you have found helpful, or something you would like us to help you find, please let us know through our General Inquiry form.

General Inquiry form

Resources

Access Advance: Overview of program promoting the participation and advancement of faculty with disabilities in STEM fields

Access Cyberlearning: Overview and resources from program for increasing diversity, including disability, in digital learning

Access Includes Initiative: Extensive DO-IT resources for students and faculty in multiple STEM fields promoting the inclusion of students with disabilities

Accessible Labs: Resource presenting two approaches to creating accessibility in STEM labs

Audio Descriptions: Instructions for using Kaltura MediaSpace to make demonstration and lab videos more accessible for students with visual disabilities

Equations and Formulas in D2L: Web page describing how to use D2L's math editor to create MathML, LaTex, Chemistry, and Graphical equations

Equitable STEM Instruction and Assessment: Research report outlining accessibility and fairness considerations for special populations

Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance: Collaborative research report from National Science Foundation Award abstract resulting in over 20 publications

Independence Science: Resource seeking to "promote the full integration of blind and low vision students..." into hands-on science laboratory learning experiences

Making Math, Science, and Technology Instruction Accessible to Students with Disabilities:Study on accessibility in STEM field classes, including broad strategies and early resources

Making STEM Accessible: Extensive articles and resources from ADCET (Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training)

PhET Accessible Simulations: Research-based interactive computer simulations and demonstrations for many STEM topics

Public STEM Accessibility: Lesson from the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center that includes basic training on math language and dozens of other resources

Zero Barriers in STEM Education: Workbook resource for K-12 from the Smithsonian Science Education Center

  • Accessible Periodic Table of the Elements: Web Resource provided by the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

    Accessible Chemical Diagrams: Progressive access tool for making complex diagrams accessible (Subscription)

    Applied Computational Chemistry for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Article describes multiple accommodations

    Coloring Chemistry: Article outlining how mindful color choices improve chemical communication

    Nobody Can See Atoms: Article on approaches to making chemistry accessible to blind students

    Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities: Article including strategies, methods, and resources

    The Value of Safety and Practicality: Article on training students with disabilities, specifically blind students, in chemistry labs

    Visually Impaired Researchers Get their Hands on Quantum Chemistry: Article on audio resources to help the blind access 2D and 3D models

  • Access CM: Project promoting the inclusion of students with disabilities in computing classes

    Access Computing: Resources from the Alliance for Access to Computing Careers for students with disabilities and educators, including accessible curricula

  • Access Engineering: Project conducted by the University of Washington's DO-IT initiative, including links to checklists, resources, networks, and communities

    Access ERC: Project for Engineering Research Centers working to increase access for students with disabilities

    Access ERC: Project for Engineering Research Centers working to increase access for students with disabilities

  • Benetech Diagram Center: Accessible math resources

    Desmos Accessibility: Interactive math and graphing content and calculators that are accessible to screen readers and electronic braille readers

    eMathHelp Math Solver: Free advanced and scientific calculators for readers with dyscalculia. Helps a student solve problems step by step

    Equatio for Mac: A tool to add math formulas and other expressions into documents (cost involved)

    Equatio for Windows: A tool to add math formulas and other expressions into documents (cost involved)

    Making Math Notation Accessible: Webinar with related materials from the National Center on Accessible Education Materials and CAST

    MathJax: A JavaScript display engine for mathematics that works in all browsers

    MathPix: Tool for digitizing screenshots of any math equations and symbols and exporting them to multiple accessible formats

    MathType Equation Editor: Downloadable tool for creating and integrating mathematical notation in desktop and web applications

  • National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities: Organization promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the nursing field

    Nurses with Disability: Article on the value of nurses with disabilities and offering UDL structures for access useful for students in nursing courses

  • Physics Webpages Create Barriers to Participation: Open-access article from the International Journal of STEM Education introducing faculty to accessibility issues in physics