Mastodawn

I just published a new post on my Substack. If you’re a blind and disabled student, this one may hit close to home. I wrote about the quiet panic that comes with syllabi and textbooks and the very real difference between “accessible eventually” and “accessible now." This isn’t a jab at professors or disability services. It’s about how systems are set up, why timing matters, and why tools like OpenStax can completely change a semester by removing the wait. If you teach, design curricula, or care about access in higher ed, I hope this offers some perspective. Boosts would be appreciated so this can reach educators and more students. #Accessibility #DisabilityInSTEM #HigherEd #OpenStax
https://open.substack.com/pub/accessinterrupted/p/i-dont-fear-the-syllabus-i-fear-the?r=5oidmq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

I Don’t Fear the Syllabus. I Fear the Textbook.

Why OpenStax Changed My Entire Semester

Access Interrupted

Lanie May 29, 2025

🎓 Returning #Blind #CS #Student – Seeking Advice on LaTeX & #Accessible #Math Tools

Hi everyone! I’m a blind student returning to college to pursue a B.S. in Computer Science through Colorado Christian University Online. This is my third attempt at college due to chronic illness, but I’m excited to be back and determined to make it work.

I’m looking for advice on two fronts:

📝 1. LaTeX on #Windows

I’ve recently started learning LaTeX and find it a more accessible way to write papers—especially when paired with Zotero for citations. My main machine is a Windows 11 Pro mini PC, and I also have a Raspberry Pi running Arch Linux ARM.

So far, I’ve tried:

Overleaf – nice interface, but the PDF viewer isn’t very screen reader-friendly and the editor has some issues too (JAWS/NVDA repeat lines).
VS Code with LaTeX Workshop – most accessible option I've tried
TeXnicCenter – only briefly.

👉 Question: What LaTeX editors or workflows do you use on #Windows, and how accessible have you found them?

➗ 2. Relearning College-Level Math

I’ll be starting with calculus early next year. It’s been a long time since high school, and chronic illness has affected my memory and cognition. I used to use a Perkins Brailler for math, but arthritis/lupus (still being diagnosed) makes that painful now.

👉 Question: Can anyone recommend accessible resources for relearning math—especially for someone doing everything online?

Any tips for doing math, science, or programming fully online as a blind student would be incredibly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! I’m happy to share what I learn along the way.

Feel free to boost or tag others who might have insights.

#BlindTech #Accessibility #LaTeX #STEM #DisabilityInSTEM #MathAccessibility #JAWS #NVDA ##ScreenReader Zotero #ChronicIllness #OnlineLearning @mastoblind @main

Fog of war Aug 29, 2024

Sometimes opening and closing safe-lock tube lids feels like it’s personal.

#fibromyalgia #chronicpain #disability #DisabilityInSTEM

The Node May 13, 2024

In this 'Honest conversations' post, Sharna shares her story navigating a science career with a #disability and asks the readers "what facet of academia do you think has grown the most in terms of disability inclusivity and what leaves much to be desired?"

#DisabilityinSTEM

https://thenode.biologists.com/and-how-would-you-rate-your-current-pain-and-fatigue-its-a-tuesday/discussion/

And how would you rate your current pain and fatigue? It’s a Tuesday. - the Node

When I was 25 and having a particularly bad day, crying to my mum about how exhausted and in pain I was during my studies, she recalled a passing comment

the Node