Writing Efficiency with Technology

By: Carmen Willings
teachingviuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 27, 2025
Supporting students with visual impairments in developing efficient writing skills requires a multi-faceted approach. Whether you're instructing students in QWERTY keyboarding, six-key braille input, or writing with a video magnifier, offering a variety of activities and tools keeps learning engaging and targets specific literacy goals—such as improving vocabulary, mastering braille contractions, or refining grammar and sentence structure.
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By building fluency with accessible writing tools and strategies, students become more confident, independent communicators—ready to fully engage in academic, social, and professional environments.

Key Instructional Areas

​Navigation Skills
Teach students how to efficiently navigate digital environments using the assistive technology that best suits their needs:
  • Screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, Narrator, VoiceOver)
  • Screen magnifiers (e.g., ZoomText, built-in OS magnifiers)
  • Keyboard-only navigation with tab, arrow keys, headings, and landmarks
  • Accessible browser use, such as understanding page structures, skip links, form fields, and search features
Encourage exploration of web-based educational tools and digital classroom platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) with accessibility features enabled.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Introduce keyboard shortcuts that support efficient writing and digital interaction. These shortcuts vary depending on the tools students use:
  • General Windows Shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl + S to save, Ctrl + P to print)
  • Screen reader-specific commands (e.g., NVDA + Down Arrow to read continuously)
  • Word processing shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl + B for bold, Ctrl + Home to go to the top of a document)
  • Web navigation shortcuts (e.g., H to jump to headings, Tab to move through links)
Customizing and practicing these shortcuts reduces reliance on a mouse and increases digital fluency.
Document Formatting
Teach students how to properly format documents using accessible tools:
  • Adjust font size, color, and style for optimal readability
  • Use headings, bullet points, and spacing to structure content clearly
  • Apply formatting using keyboard shortcuts or screen reader commands
  • Understand the difference between visual formatting and semantic structure (e.g., using headings, not just bold text)
Emphasize clarity, consistency, and accessibility—especially for shared documents or assignments submitted digitally.
Accessing Online Resources
Empower students to independently access digital content:
  • Navigate educational platforms like Google Classroom, Canvas, or Microsoft Teams
  • Use accessible digital libraries (e.g., Bookshare, Learning Ally, NLS BARD)
  • Search and retrieve information from online databases using accessible interfaces
  • Practice strategies for filtering search results, opening links, and bookmarking content for future reference
Encourage students to develop confidence using both structured platforms and open-ended search tools.

​Integrating Activities into Instruction

Create varied and meaningful writing activities that help students apply and reinforce their skills, such as:
  • Typing or brailling vocabulary words in sentences
  • Responding to reading comprehension questions digitally
  • Writing journal entries using a video magnifier or braille notetaker
  • Practicing editing and formatting paragraphs using shortcut keys
  • Researching a topic online and summarizing findings in a formatted document
By tailoring tasks to the student’s current literacy goals and preferred tools, instruction becomes both practical and empowering.

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