[NFBCS] Accessibility of PacketTracer

Tue Sep 15 17:22:38 UTC 2026

I agree with Ms. Walker. The most accessible path for your student is to
have them build labs completely from scratch, rather than use the timed
activities from netacad. The student will hit Shift+W to open the wiring
closet, from there a totally blind student can use the arrow keys, enter
and spacebar to select different devices from the prescribed categories. If
you continue tabbing, a list of cable types would appear. You can likewise
use a combo box to select a slot on that specific device. Functionally
speaking, when the student adds devices to there workspace, it will look as
though all of the routers and switches are stacked on top of one another.
However, this is only visual. As long as the student checks the routing
table and does show run, tests/pings properly, packets will carry all the
way through. I have had visual interpreters from a service called AIRA or
be my eyes spread out my devices for better readability for my sighted
instructor, however this matters not. The GUI for the simulated servers and
actuators have mixed results in terms of readability. At last check in
2025, I could navigate the terminal within a sswitch or router using
insert + the arrow keys on NVDA. I would recommend you simply build a lab
guide or template ahead of time, and let the blind students know what
devices you are using . e.g. the 2901 router, with a SFP, etc.
You are welcome to email me off-list to chat about this more. Strictly
speaking, I do not know if your university has a cyber range, but I feel
that even with the accessibility barriers removed, Packet Tracer will have
very limited benefit, because she cannot feel the device and know where
expansion slots are located. I do not know if your university has a budget
for it, but even having one refurbished router, switch and firewall
appliance in the classroom, for example can make a world of difference.
However, I am priveleged in this respect, because I intern at the SOC for
my college. The two networking classrooms have a full wrack in front of
each desk. Which again, I am told is extremely difficult in most places
around the U.S. I have not tried GNS3 or any other route that involves
flashing the OS on a virtual device, however I wonder if this is worth
attempting? Again, of course Cisco operating systems are super spendy as we
all know.
Please reach out to me at this address: ameliapelli95 at gmail.com
I'm open to hopping on a chat with you and/or the student on a conferencing
platform if we need to go that route.
HTH

On Tue, Sep 15, 2026 at 11:54 AM Wendy Walker via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Good morning,
>
>
>
> I am a cybersecurity student who has used Packet Tracer a number of times.
> It was a couple of years ago but I used it for several classes. If I
> remember correctly, the instructor sent a text document for the lab
> instructions to make it easier but the workspace was accessible. Sometimes
> you had to play around with your screen reader or change to a different one
> (JAWS to NVDA or vice versa). When I last used it, the accessibility of it
> was greatly increased from even two years before that. It is not perfect
> but it is usable. I am a totally blind  screen reader user.
>
>
>
> My main suggestion is to try a different screen reader to see if it works
> better. Many tools and programs have accessibility issues with one screen
> reader and not another. That is why it is important to use more than one.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Wendy Walker
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On Behalf Of *Cook, Avery B via
> NFBCS
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 15, 2026 9:50 AM
> *To:* nfbcs at nfbnet.org
> *Cc:* Cook, Avery B <avery.cook at sctcc.edu>
> *Subject:* [NFBCS] Accessibility of PacketTracer
>
>
>
> Good Morning al!
>
>
>
> I hope this email finds your week going well! I am the Accessibility
> Services Coordinator at St. Cloud Technical & Community College and I am
> working with a student who is blind and has started in our Cybersecurity
> program this semester.
>
>
>
> I was hoping to reach out to this amazing brain trust of professionals to
> see if anyone has any experience working with a software called
> PacketTracer through Cisco. The student has been having trouble with their
> screenreader using this software. The folks at Cisco have assured us that
> things are fully accessible, but we are still finding hiccups.
>
>
>
> In summary, the instructions in PacketTracer work with the student’s
> screen reader but the command line window to configure in PacketTracer is
> full not working with the screen reader.
>
>
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on how to best support this student?
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time!
>
> AC
>
>
>
> Avery Cook, M.S.
>
> Accessibility Services Coordinator | SCTCC Women’s Club Staff Advisor
>
> St. Cloud Technical & Community College
>
> 1540 Northway Drive, St Cloud, MN 56303-1240
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1540+Northway+Drive,+St+Cloud,+MN+56303-1240?entry=gmail&source=g>
> 
>
> 320.308.5064 <(320)%20308-5064> |  avery.cook at sctcc.edu |
> sctcc.edu/accessibility-services
> <https://www.sctcc.edu/accessibility-services>
>
>
>
> *Click Here to Book an Appointment
> <https://sctcc.edu/accessibility-scheduling>*
>
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>
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