Evaluation of Low-threshold Programming Learning Environments for the Blind and Partially Sighted

Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide live with visual impairments and are therefore dependent on the use of aids. With regard to the acute shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector, the question arises as to the extent to which people with visual impairments can enter the IT professions. While web-based programming environments have been used to introduce children to programming, their accessibility for the blind and visually impaired is questionable. This report introduces 17 web-based programming learning environments and examines their usability for blind and visually impaired people. In total, none of the 17 graphical programming environments were suitable for the usage by blind and visually impaired people.

Keyword(s): Educational Programming Language; MINT; Teaching for the Visually Impaired; Scratch.