October is Blindness Awareness Month and it always reminds me how far accessibility has come and how far it still needs to go. For many of us living with visual impairments, the built-in accessibility features on our devices like magnifiers and screen readers are essential. Yet, sometimes, they’re not quite enough. Beyond those tools, we also need apps and software that are designed with our everyday challenges in mind — the kind that don’t just work around low vision but actively support it.
I live with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), specifically the RPE65 variant which behaves a little differently from the more common forms. My retinal cells don’t process light properly and, as a result, my vision has been slowly fading over the years. I’m now legally blind in my right eye and have low vision in my left. Over the past three years, this change has been significant enough that I can no longer read printed books or handwritten notes, and even regular 12-point text in physical form is beyond what I can see clearly.
I now do all of my schooling online which means my iPad has become my entire workspace, classroom and creative studio in one. I use it for many things such as writing assignments, listening to lectures, researching and working on my blog. While iPads, iPhones and Androids all have built-in accessibility tools like VoiceOver or TalkBack, I personally find those screen readers too intrusive. They tend to take over the whole interface and make it harder to navigate naturally. Instead, I use “Speak Screen” on iOS and “Select to Speak” on Android, both of which allow me to control when and what gets read aloud. That balance gives me far more freedom and keeps studying from feeling overwhelmed.
These are some of the apps that have genuinely transformed the way I study and live. Each one has been tested through experience, frustration and trial, and I can confidently say they’ve made my world not just more accessible but also more enjoyable.
1. Notability: Best note-taking app with true dark mode
Of all the apps I’ve used for studying, Notability stands at the top. It’s one of the very few note-taking apps that offers true dark mode where the note’s background actually turns black instead of a faded grey like in GoodNotes. That small detail makes a massive difference when you’re sensitive to glare or struggling with contrast.
With Notability, I can import lecture slides or PDFs directly into the app and annotate them with a stylus, zooming in on sections when needed. I can type, handwrite, and even record lectures all within the same document. The recording feature, in particular, has been a lifesaver.
The app also supports folder organisation so I can neatly separate my modules or subjects without having to visually sort through clutter. For anyone with low vision or blindness, this combination of accessibility and organisation makes studying feel calm and manageable rather than chaotic.
2. Google Docs: A reliable writing space that adapts to your needs
Google Docs is where I do most of my blogs, written assignments, essays and reports. The app supports true dark mode which helps a lot during long writing sessions especially in the evenings. You can pinch to zoom easily in the document, increasing the font size without ruining the layout.
It works seamlessly with speak screen, allowing me to have my writing read back to me as I edit. That small feature alone helps me catch typos and awkward phrasing without relying on my eyes too heavily.
Docs is best for essays and short to medium length assignments, anything up to around 4000 words. When I’m working on something bigger like a thesis or dissertation, I prefer using Ulysses which handles long documents more efficiently. However, overall, Google Docs feels dependable, straightforward and inclusive.
The best part is that it syncs across devices so I can start something on my iPad and finish it later on my laptop without worrying about formatting or accessibility settings changing.
3. NaturalReader: Turning textbooks and PDFs into spoken lessons
If I could recommend one app for anyone who struggles to read visually demanding material, it would be Natural Reader. This app has made textbooks, research papers and even online readings much more accessible.
NaturalReader lets you upload PDFs, Word documents and even web pages and it reads them aloud in a clear, natural voice. The free version works fine if you don’t mind slightly robotic speech but the premium voices sound human-like and soothing which makes a world of difference during long study sessions.
The interface itself supports a dark theme, although the document’s background remains white. That’s a minor inconvenience considering how much it helps with audio accessibility. I often use Natural Reader while I’m doing chores or resting my eyes; that is, it turns reading into a passive but productive experience.
It’s also great for comprehension. Sometimes I’ll follow along by ear while making quick notes in Notability, combining the two apps so that I absorb the information in multiple ways.
4. ChatGPT: A creative and academic companion
Without a doubt, ChatGPT has been one of the most useful tools I’ve ever used. It’s not just a chatbot; it’s a creative assistant, a tutor and a problem solver all in one.
It works beautifully in true dark mode and the built-in read aloud feature means I can listen to responses instead of straining my eyes to read them. Whether I’m exploring ideas for an assignment, generating a structure for an essay or even asking for help summarising a scientific theory, ChatGPT makes the process accessible and efficient.
For students with low vision, this app removes a lot of the barriers that come with traditional research and note-taking. It can create tables, diagrams, lists or summaries on demand like tasks that would otherwise be time consuming or visually difficult.
There is a small learning curve, of course. You have to learn how to prompt it properly rather than treating it like a search engine. However, once you get the hang of it, it feels like having an academic assistant who understands your accessibility needs without judgement.
5. Kobo: A strong alternative to Audible
For anyone who enjoys reading or listening to books, Kobo is an underrated gem. It’s available in true dark mode, making it comfortable to use for long periods and it offers both ebooks and audiobooks within the same app.
One of the things I appreciate most about Kobo is that, unlike Audible, it doesn’t rely on a credit system. Through Kobo Plus, you get access to a much wider range of books without being limited to just one or two per month.
The app also allows you to adjust text size, font and spacing, making it ideal for low-vision users. The only downside is that it’s only available in certain countries but if it’s accessible in your region, it’s absolutely worth trying.
Kobo has helped me fall back in love with reading. It allows me to switch between listening and reading depending on my energy level which is such a gift when visual fatigue sets in.
6. Spotify: The app that keeps me going
For focus, relaxation or even emotional regulation, Spotify is my go-to. The interface is fully in true dark mode and it’s clean and simple to navigate even when my vision is struggling.
I use music constantly when writing, studying or winding down and Spotify makes that experience seamless. The student premium plan is very affordable and completely removes ads which I appreciate. The DJ X feature also stands out; it announces the genre or mood of the upcoming track which is helpful when you can’t see the screen clearly.
For me, music is more than background noise — it helps me think, stabilise my mood and stay focused. Out of all the streaming services, Spotify feels the most visually accessible and consistent.
7. Daylio or DayOne: Tracking your mental health and daily moods
Being a student with low vision can be mentally draining. Between deadlines, fatigue and accessibility struggles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where Daylio comes in.
I use Daylio every day to keep track of my moods, routines and goals. It’s minimalist, which I love, and you just need to tap a few icons to log your day. I use the premium version which adds more detail and allows you to see weekly, monthly and yearly reports that help you spot trends. These reports are incredibly helpful for therapy sessions or for managing your own wellbeing.
Although I don’t use it personally right now, I’ve used DayOne before and would definitely recommend it for people who prefer writing longer journal entries or reflections. It’s ideal for those who like structured journalling or templates while Daylio suits people who want something quick and visual. Both apps are in true dark mode which makes journalling easy on the eyes.
8. Telegram: A safe and private way to stay connected
While I don’t use Telegram specifically for university, it’s one of my favourite apps for chatting with people when I don’t want to give out my phone number. The app supports true dark mode, has a very simple interface, and is also encrypted which makes it much safer than many other messaging apps.
Although you sign up with a number, you can hide it in Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number, so that only you can see it. You can then share your username instead, which is great for online communities or smaller friend groups.
Telegram is perfect for those moments when you need a balance between accessibility, privacy and communication whether that’s for personal use or professional networking.
Final Thoughts
Living with Retinitis Pigmentosa has forced me to rebuild my entire way of learning and interacting with the world. But these apps have helped me turn that challenge into something empowering.
Accessibility isn’t just about magnifiers and readers, however, it’s about having tools that genuinely understand our needs. Each of these apps has made my life as a low vision student more manageable, productive and meaningful. They show that technology, when designed thoughtfully, can give us not only independence but also joy.
Therefore, if you’re a low vision or blind student trying to find your rhythm, know that you’re not alone. With the right combination of apps, accessibility settings and patience, it’s absolutely possible to create a study environment that works for you; one that’s comfortable, empowering and built around the way you see the world.
Mystic Anomanly 