Illustration of a web browser window with symbols for accessibility: a speech bubble, an eye, a puzzle piece, and "xy" text blocks, representing tools for disabled users.
Assistive Tech & Products

Studying With Confidence: Chrome Tools That Help Disabled People in 2025

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Key Takeaways – Chrome Learning Tools for Disabled People

Area of Support How Chrome Extensions & Tools Help Why It Matters for Disabled & Neurodivergent Students
Reading Adjust fonts, colours, and spacing; read text aloud Reduces barriers for students with dyslexia, ADHD, or visual impairments
Organisation Save highlights, create mind maps, sync notes across devices Supports different learning styles and reduces stress from rigid study methods
Focus Block ads, limit distractions, set timers for breaks Helps maintain concentration without removing student control
Problem-Solving Step-by-step maths help and explanations Breaks down complex tasks, turning frustration into progress
AI Accessibility Tools Convert images of equations into accessible formats Expands access to maths and STEM resources, though accuracy and user control remain key
Future Outlook Built-in browser accessibility features and evolving AI tools More inclusive default settings reduce the need for extra add-ons

For many disabled and neurodivergent students, online study can feel unnecessarily complicated. Web pages might be crowded with content, text may be difficult to read, and subjects like maths can become even harder without tailored support. The positive shift in 2025 is that free, built-in browser tools now offer practical ways to make digital learning more accessible

Here are a few ways Chrome extensions and other forms of digital assistive technology can reduce barriers and give students more confidence in their studies.

Making Reading Easier in 2025

Dense text can be overwhelming, especially for learners with dyslexia, ADHD, or visual processing differences. Chrome extensions can:

  • Change fonts and spacing to make text more readable.
  • Adjust colours and contrast for students with visual impairments.
  • Read text aloud, turning written material into audio.

Comparison chart of pros and cons of Chrome extensions for readability. Pros: enhanced readability, visual adjustments, audio support. Cons: technical issues, privacy concerns, over-reliance.

According to the Royal Society, improving access to technology for disabled people is critical to reducing inequality, with digital tools increasingly seen as essential for education and independence (Disability and Technology report, 2025). This underlines how important it is to give students practical, everyday support with accessible tools as part of a wider push for digital inclusion.

Organising Notes and Ideas

Not all students keep track of information in the same way. Some prefer lists, others remember better through visuals. Chrome tools can:

  • Save highlights from websites for quick reference.
  • Create mind maps or outlines directly from online articles.
  • Sync notes across devices so they’re always available.

Having these options helps learners adapt study methods to their own style, reducing stress and making organisation part of the learning process. For neurodivergent students, these supports can provide structure without forcing them to fit one rigid method of study.

Boosting Focus

Studying online often means distraction is only one tab away. Chrome extensions can:

  • Block pop-ups and noisy ads.
  • Limit access to social media during study hours.
  • Offer timers and reminders to take regular breaks.

One student with ADHD described their challenge with online learning in Teen Vogue: “It really sucks and it makes me sad sometimes because I don’t really know how to help myself.” (distance learning with a disability). Tools that reduce distraction can provide a structure that helps students concentrate while still keeping control of their own learning.

Problem-Solving Support

Maths is one of the biggest hurdles for many learners, especially disabled and neurodivergent students who may need problems broken down into smaller, clearer steps. That’s where the Perfect for Students Chrome extension can help.

This extension provides on-demand help with problem-solving. Instead of being left stuck, students can get step-by-step explanations that make maths less intimidating. Having that extra layer of support can turn frustration into progress.

The Growing Role of AI Accessibility Tools in 2025

AI is starting to change how disabled students access maths content online. One of the biggest steps forward is tools that turn images of equations into accessible code. Instead of a static picture that screen readers can’t interpret, these tools create digital versions that can be:

  • Read aloud through text-to-speech
  • Enlarged or reformatted for easier viewing
  • Interacted with inside learning platforms

This opens up materials that many students were previously excluded from.

The benefits include:

  • More accessible resources across different platforms
  • Faster adaptation to a student’s individual needs
  • Filling gaps where teachers or publishers haven’t provided accessible versions

But there are also risks:

  • Equations may be misread or converted incorrectly
  • Over-reliance on AI can reduce a student’s agency if tools make assumptions instead of offering choices

It’s also important to separate established assistive technologies from newer generative AI tools:

  • Established tools like screen readers and text-to-speech have been refined for decades and often meet WCAG standards.
  • Generative AI tools are newer, less predictable, and need careful use.

As the University of Bristol noted in its 2025 reflections on accessibility and AI, the goal should be balance: combining new innovation with caution, and ensuring students stay in control of how these tools shape their learning.

 

Building Confidence, Not Dependence

Digital tools work best when they support learning rather than replace it. Extensions and AI technologies should act as a bridge across barriers, while teachers, parents, and peers provide the human guidance students still need.

When chosen carefully, these tools can help students feel:

  • More confident in their studies
  • Less dependent on external support
  • In control of how they learn

And often, the most effective support doesn’t come from expensive platforms. Simple, free browser tools can make everyday study more manageable and reduce stress.

Looking Ahead: Accessibility in 2025 and Beyond

The next few years are likely to bring even greater change in how disabled and neurodivergent students study online. Google has already suggested new Chrome features such as:

If rolled out widely, these could reduce the need for multiple add-ons by making accessibility built-in by default.

This reflects a broader shift toward browsers providing features like:

  • Colour contrast adjustment
  • Simplified reading views
  • Voice navigation

For students who may not have the resources or digital skills to install extra tools, these changes signal a real step toward digital inclusion.

AI will also continue to evolve:

  • Current tools already convert images of equations into code that screen readers can handle.
  • Future versions may extend this to graphs, diagrams, and interactive simulations.
  • The challenge will be ensuring compliance with WCAG standards and keeping students in control of how AI shapes their learning.

The outlook is promising: more built-in options, smarter AI, and fewer barriers. But meaningful progress depends on disabled voices being central to design and policy.

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Photo of Duncan Edwards
Photo of Duncan Edwards

Duncan Edwards

Duncan Edwards manages the Disability Horizons Shop, where he focuses on sourcing practical, well-designed products that improve everyday life for disabled people. His work reflects lived experience rather than distant theory, shaped by family, not policy. His wife Clare, an artist and designer, co-founded Trabasack, best known for its original lap desk bag. After sustaining a spinal injury, Clare became a wheelchair user. That change brought a sharper perspective to her design work and turned personal need into creative drive. Trabasack grew from that focus — making useful, adaptable products that support mobility and independence. Their son Joe lives with Dravet syndrome, a rare and complex form of epilepsy. His condition brings day-to-day challenges that few families encounter, but it has also sharpened Duncan’s eye for what’s truly useful. From feeding aids to communication tools, he knows how the right product can make a small but vital difference. These experiences shape the decisions he makes as shop manager. It’s why he pays close attention to detail, asks hard questions about function and accessibility, and chooses stock with a deep awareness of what people actually need. Duncan’s role in the disability community is grounded, not performative. He doesn’t trade in vague ideals — he deals in things that work, because he’s spent years living with what doesn’t.
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