New education technologies are providing more options for science students with vision disabilities to access laboratory tools and research during remote learning.
Independence Science, a Purdue University-affiliated company founded by blind chemist and Purdue alumnus Cary Supalo, has introduced new remote learning tools for students with vision disabilities.
“The Independence Science team is very excited to announce that accessible, hands-on science learning is now possible for the blind,” said Greg Williams, who is a blind scientist at Independence Science.
“Students from remote locations can now work together on accessible scientific data collection in the laboratory from home, and work with a science teacher or lab partner physically located in a science laboratory.”
Independence Science has introduced a new version of its Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest version 2.3 software designed to improve access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for blind students. The new version allows students to remotely connect with teachers and lab partners to perform experiments in laboratories.
The team at Independence Science, based in Purdue Research Park, also created an accessible version of the periodic table of elements for blind students to access through remote learning options. It leverages, for the first time, audio sonification tools to communicate atomic trend information.
