{"id":4380,"date":"2025-12-18T15:41:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T15:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/?page_id=4380"},"modified":"2026-01-12T15:49:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T15:49:14","slug":"math-specific-accommodations-and-specialized-materials","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/math-specific-accommodations-and-specialized-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources for Teaching Students Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf, or Hard of Hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-highlight-purple-with-dots\"><strong>Math Resources for Blind and Visually Impaired (BIV) Students<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Manipulatives<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Many manipulatives are useful for developing concepts with sighted as well as blind or visually impaired students. This compilation is materials which are designed specifically for BIV students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Calculators\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Online Desmos Calculators (free)<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Desmos Calculator <\/a>[select Four Function, Scientific, or Graphing]<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span https:=\"\" www.desmos.com=\"\" style=\"color: initial; &lt;a href=\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/accessibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Desmos Accessibility Information<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Desmos Calculator Shortcuts\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/fourfunctionshortcuts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Four Function<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/scientificshortcuts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scientific<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/graphingshortcuts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Graphing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Handheld Orion TI-84 Plus \u2013 Talking Graphing Calculator<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.orbitresearch.com\/product\/orion-ti-84-plus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purchase<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLr4iumrglLBqDvdTxrEL6JrR089d4sSf2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tutorial video playlist<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.ti.com\/en\/product-resources\/special-needs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Other calculators<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Omnifix Cubes\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.didax.com\/omnifix-cubes-set-of-100.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Omnifix cubes, set of 100<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/braille-math-teaching-slate-and-cubes-kit-for-blind-and-low-vision\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Braille math teaching slate and cubes kit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rulers\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/braille-ruler-plastic-12-inch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Braille ruler, 12-inch<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/12-inch-braille-ruler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Braille ruler, 12-inch with center groove<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tape Measures\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/5-foot-measuring-tape\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flexible, tactile 5-foot measuring tape<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/talking-tape-measure-english\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Talking tape measure (English)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/talking-tape-measure-spanish\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Talking tape measure (Spanish)<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dice:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/tactile-dice-set-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White with tactile black dots<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/giant-tactile-dice-black-with-white-dots-set-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Black with tactile white dots<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/low-vision-large-dice-black-with-white-dots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-contrast black dots on yellow<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Playing Cards:<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/ez-see-low-vision-by-us-playing-cards-includes-3-decks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EZ-See Low Vision Playing Cards<\/a> (3 pack)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/_02864\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EZC Playing Cards<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/rider-braille-playing-cards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Braille Playing Cards<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geometry tools:<ul><li>Geometro for three-dimensional construction: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geometro.net\/products.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.geometro.net\/products.html<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.org\/search-results\/?fwp_search_term=geometro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.aph.org\/search-results\/?fwp_search_term=geometro<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxiaids.com\/product\/geometry-set-in-plastic-storage-box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Geometry kit<\/a> (with compass, protractor, set squares, and scale Braille and large print protractor)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.org\/product\/braille-large-print-protractor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Braille and large-print protractor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.org\/product\/tactile-compass-for-math-and-art\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tactile Compass<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.org\/product\/tactile-tangrams-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tactile tangrams kit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Algebra tools:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.org\/product\/tactile-algebra-tiles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tactile algebra tiles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tools for Drawing and for Graphics<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikkistix.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikkistix <\/a>(make anything tactile and traceable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/imagelibrary.aph.org\/portals\/aphb\/#category\/30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tactile Graphic Image Library<\/a> (free from American Printing House)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.org\/product\/tactiledoodle-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TactileDoodle<\/a> (use to manually generate tactile, raised-line graphics) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/viewplus.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ViewPlus<\/a> products can emboss tactile diagrams and braille documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Teacher Training<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/aphhive.org\/#\/catalog\/course\/7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tactile Aids for Mathematics<\/a> (on-demand course; free)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathstoliteracy.org\/resource\/project-inspire-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Using the Desmos Calculator with Sara Larkin<\/a> (recorded PD specifically demonstrating features for people with visual impairment)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/accessinghigherground.org\/handouts2013\/HTCTU%20Alt%20Format%20Manuals\/Math%20Accommodations\/07%20MATHSPEAK.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MathSpeak, A Talk on Verbalizing Math<\/a> by Dr. Abraham Nemeth (PDF)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/11JC3s-yG2XLKrbHRd88u2vjgYeqm3S-IERUV8Ugr9pw\/edit?tab=t.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tactile Graphics Think About<\/a> from the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (a Google Doc list of considerations and resources when thinking about tactile graphics) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nfb.org\/images\/nfb\/publications\/jbir\/jbir19\/jbir090101.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Access to Math and Science Content for Youth Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired<\/a> (read about students\u2019 classroom experiences)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/universal-design-for-learning-udl-benefits-everyone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Universal Design for Learning Benefits Everyone<\/a> (read an adult education teachers\u2019 experience) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/service.amplify.com\/article\/amplify-classroom-accessibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amplify Classroom (formerly Desmos Classroom) Accessibility<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Communication for Mathematics Learning<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Assistive technology for vision available to loan for free in Massachusetts: <a href=\"https:\/\/massability.at4all.com\/item?searchPhrase=vision+loss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">massability.at4all.com<\/a> (use search keyword \u201cvision loss\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-highlight-purple-with-dots\"><strong>Math<\/strong> <strong>Resources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Students<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Communication for Mathematics Learning<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Assistive technology for hearing available to loan for free in Massachusetts: <a href=\"https:\/\/massability.at4all.com\/item?searchPhrase=hear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/massability.at4all.com<\/a> (use search keyword &#8220;hear&#8221;)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/voicethread.com\/products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VoiceThread<\/a> (web-based communication through text and video around images, slides, documents, and videos. Annual single educator licenses available.)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Signing Math Resources<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/signsci.terc.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Signing Math Dictionary (SMD) and Signing Math Picture Dictionary<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XCJXsJN0DBY&amp;list=PL60GgJ-A96ix_5YaoxuZYSPljrrGbs_H6&amp;index=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Math Concepts in ASL<\/a> (YouTube video)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Teacher Training<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The National Science Teaching Association has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsta.org\/deaf-and-hard-hearing-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resource page for working with deaf and hard of hearing students<\/a>. Also see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsta.org\/topics\/disabilities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NSTA Disability Resources page<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ttaconline.org\/differentiated-instructional-strategies-deaf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mathematics Instructional and Environmental Strategies<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-highlight-purple-with-dots\"><strong>Resources for Adult Education Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Disability inclusion support is available for Massachusetts adult education programs through SABES at <a href=\"https:\/\/sabes.org\/content\/sign-program-based-coaching-help-your-program-become-disability-inclusive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/sabes.org\/content\/sign-program-based-coaching-help-your-program-become-disability-inclusive<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Massachusetts\u2019 ADA Coordinator Training and more can be found in the SABES Canvas Catalog&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sabes.catalog.instructure.com\/?query=ada\">https:\/\/sabes.catalog.instructure.com\/?query=ada<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Basic Disability Screening Adult Education is a tool to start conversations with the goal of increasing inclusion of adults with disabilities in the program &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sabes.org\/content\/basic-disability-screenings-adult-education-program-use\/ada-resources-training-sabes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/sabes.org\/content\/basic-disability-screenings-adult-education-program-use\/ada-resources-training-sabes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some assistive technology can be borrowed from the <a href=\"https:\/\/massability.at4all.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massachusetts Assistive Technology Regional Centers<\/a> (locations in Pittsfield, Worcester and Boston)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Math Resources for Blind and Visually Impaired (BIV) Students<\/p>\n<p>Manipulatives<\/p>\n<p>Many manipulatives are useful for developing concepts with sighted as well as blind or visually impaired students. This compilation is materials which are designed specifically for BIV students.<\/p>\n<p>Calculators<\/p>\n<p>Online Desmos Calculators (free)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Desmos Calculator <\/a>[select Four Function, Scientific, or Graphing]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/accessibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Desmos Accessibility Information<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Desmos Calculator Shortcuts<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/fourfunctionshortcuts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Four Function<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/scientificshortcuts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scientific<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.desmos.com\/graphingshortcuts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Graphing<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Handheld Orion TI-84 Plus \u2013 Talking Graphing Calculator<a href=\"https:\/\/www.orbitresearch.com\/product\/orion-ti-84-plus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purchase<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLr4iumrglLBqDvdTxrEL6JrR089d4sSf2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tutorial video playlist<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/education.ti.com\/en\/product-resources\/special-needs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Other calculators<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Omnifix Cubes<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.didax.com\/omnifix-cubes-set-of-100.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Omnifix cubes,<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/math-specific-accommodations-and-specialized-materials\/\">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"809,154,1656,2101,2179,1684","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4380","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4380"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4589,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4380\/revisions\/4589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}