Indianapolis Students Improved Coding Tool Accessibility
Blind and visually impaired students in Indianapolis helped make a global coding device compatible with screen readers.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Special Education
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Seven students at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired collaborated with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation in 2025 to improve device accessibility. Their work resulted in screen reader compatibility for the micro:bit, a coding tool used in 85 countries.
Why it matters
This initiative ensures that visually impaired students have equitable access to technology education by integrating screen reader feedback into coding environments. By refining Braille materials and software interaction, the project removes barriers for users of the widely used micro:bit platform.
Seven students participated in the development of screen reader compatibility for the micro:bit in 2025. This allows the tool to display information via screen readers rather than exclusively visual means, including coding a die with a 1 to 6 range.
The players
Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
An Indianapolis-based educational institution serving students with visual impairments.
Micro:bit Educational Foundation
The organization responsible for the micro:bit, a device designed to teach coding and digital skills globally.
The details
Students at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired worked with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation to test coding programs built on Blockly software. They edited Braille instructions and tested screen reader feedback within the Microsoft MakeCode program to ensure the interface correctly translated visual information. The update enables the micro:bit to be used with computer screen readers, making coding accessible to students who rely on auditory assistance.
Timeline
The accessibility initiative began in 2025.
Students tested coding a die on the micro:bit in September 2026.
The Home Front
This project reflects a broader trend of inclusive design in educational technology, moving beyond physical accessibility to ensure digital tools meet ADA-inspired standards. By involving users directly in the design process, the initiative establishes a model for software developers to follow.
Families with students interested in coding should verify if school or home devices support the updated screen reader compatibility. Contact your local school district or the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to explore how these inclusive tools are being implemented in local classrooms.
The takeaway
Inclusive design depends on the input of the users who rely on accessibility features to engage with new technology. Consider exploring the Microsoft MakeCode platform to see how your student can utilize these new screen reader tools at home.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to improve technology access in Special Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chalkbeat.
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Is the current state of coding education sufficiently accessible to students with disabilities?
