[NFB-Science] Accessible Lab Equipment in STEM: What Has Worked for You?

[Haylee Mota]

Hello,

I also have used assistants in labs to read out digital displays. I'm a
mechanical engineer, so I've never used biology equipment, but I have used
digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and measuring tools. I used a braille
caliper in school which can be found at the NBP stor
<https://shop.nbp.org/products/tactile-caliper>. The resolution is only
1/16 of an inch, so not as high of resolution as the calipers everyone else
was using in our labs. I have heard that people have had luck with
bluetooth calipers that can connect to your phone and record measurements
in the notes app. I believe that the calipers made by iGAGING have
bluetooth versions that do this. One of there calipers is here.

On Mon, Aug 17, 2026 at 8:27 AM avery ingram via NFB-Science <
nfb-science at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> This seems like an excellent project! I've thought about doing something
> similar for graphics and math workflows.
>
> I have a Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Biophysics, and have taken many
> lab classes, but I sadly do not have much knowledge about accessible lab
> equipment. I believe the Talking LabQuest has been improved since the time
> I used it, but I found there was too much of a lag reading values for me to
> know when to close the buret at the exact right moment during titrations.
> This experience led me to rely on an assistant to act as my eyes, rather
> than accessible equipment. There also seemed to be a lack of available
> options for more advanced lab courses. I believe some exercise ergometers
> that were not built for blind people can deliver data to a computer, so
> perhaps that could work for some tasks. As technology is improving, it
> would be fantastic if we could rely on it more in lab settings.
>
> Do you have any favorite accessible tools? If you would like to connect,
> avery8ingram at gmail.com
> is my email address. I hope others have more knowledge about this. Best of
> luck to you in your goals and classes.
>
> Best,
>
> Avery
>
> On Aug 17, 2026, at 5:02 AM, Bella Teta via NFB-Science <
> nfb-science at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I hope you all are doing well.
>
> I wanted to spark some discussion around accessible lab equipment. As a
> third-year biology student, I am passionate about finding accessible lab
> equipment that empowers independence in the laboratory as a blind student.
> In my experience, I have used the Talking LabQuest from Independence
> Science, which has been incredibly helpful in some experiments, especially
> in a chemistry lab that utilizes pH scales, temperature sensors, among
> other measurement tools.
>
> I am on a quest to explore other accessible lab equipment that has worked
> for others, with the goal of creating a master list that can expand as new
> accessible technology comes about. I would love to hear how others have
> navigated laboratory spaces as a blind person and used accessible equipment
> in pursuit of independence.
>
>
>
> Warm regards,
>
>
>
> Bella Teta
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