What We’re Hearing About Assistive Technology in Schools

Over the past few months, we’ve been speaking with educators, support staff, and people who work closely with blind students.

With requirements like FERPA, COPPA, ADA, and Section 504, schools are working within systems that are structured, regulated, and often difficult to adapt quickly.

Many schools already provide accessible materials and devices.

But day-to-day use tells a different story.

We consistently hear that:

• Materials are technically accessible, but still difficult to move through

• Students switch between multiple tools to complete a single task

• Delays happen while waiting for content to be converted

• Devices don’t always work well together within the same setup

None of this is unexpected.

But it does affect how smoothly a student can move through their day.

Schools shifting to think about:

“Do we have the right tools?”

to:

“Is this actually working for the student in real situations?”

In class or between classes.

A lot of the challenges happen in small, repeated moments:

• Reading something quickly during a lesson

• Getting context without needing help

• Understanding what’s nearby in an unfamiliar space

• Accessing information without waiting

At GoVivid, this is the lens we bring to building GV Discover app.

Helping students who are blind or have low vision by reading text, finding objects, explore surroundings, and feel confident every day.

If you work with schools, accessibility teams, or directly with students, your perspective matters.

• What’s working well right now?

• What still feels harder than it should be?

Happy to hear your thoughts in the comments below.