Projects and partnerships

Blockly is commited to developing inclusive tools that help all students succeed, including those with disabilities.

Current projects

Explore the academic, edtech, and accessibility organizations that are working with Blockly to co-create solutions that make coding accessible for all, with support from Google.org.

Feature Upgrade
All Disabilities

Develop an accessible sequence of Code.org's Music Lab

Samantha Schwartz and Emily Eastlake
Code.org
Code.org is creating an accessible version of their block-based Music Lab environment to bridge the gap for the 15% of K-12 students with accessibility needs. This project aims to improve access to computer science education for these students and pave the way for future accessible learning labs.
Curriculum
Motor Impairment

Developing self-paced learning courses on assistive technology devices for block-based programming

Loreto Dumitrescu
Zero Day Camp
Zero Day Camp is creating free online courses for educators and students with physical disabilities to learn how to code using Blockly with assistive technology. They plan to develop courses, a forum, and consultations to bridge the gap in CS education for these students.
New Application
All Disabilities

Create an accessible programming app based on icon blocks (horizontal programming)

Roger Olivella Morillo
Sistema THEAD
Sistema THEAD is developing a new web application based on Blockly to make it accessible for students with disabilities. This app will be customizable, integrate with Scratch Tactile physical blocks, and offer features for students with various needs. It aims to promote inclusion and provide an accessible learning environment for all students.
Research
Deafness

Create an American Sign Language video library to complement key words associated with block-based programming

Shireen Hafeez
Deaf Kids Code
Deaf Kids Code is creating an American Sign Language (ASL) video glossary for key Blockly terms. This resource will be shared with deaf educators and students to improve accessibility in computer science education.
Feature Upgrade
Eye Gaze

Develop and test eye gaze interfaces for block coding platforms

This project aims to develop eye gaze interfaces for block coding platforms to allow students with severe physical disabilities to learn and explore coding using eye control. This research will also provide a testing ground for MakeCode's expanding set of accessibility features from the perspective of eye gaze users.
Feature Upgrade
Robotics

Make robotics programming more accessible with a new controller

FIRST Robotics is developing a new robot controller with Blockly-based programming. This will make robot programming more accessible and intuitive, especially for students with no coding experience. It could benefit over 250,000 students by 2027.
Curriculum
All Disabilities

Making Accessibility Accessible: Training Modules for Educators

This project aims to develop online training modules to help educators understand and utilize Blockly's accessibility features. This will empower educators to provide more inclusive and accessible computer science education for students with disabilities.
Feature Upgrade
Motor Impairment

Improve accessibility of block-based interfaces through enhanced screen reader support

The Neil Squire Society is working to improve the accessibility of Blockly for students with disabilities. They are enhancing screen reader support, integrating ARIA attributes, and addressing challenges for users with limited dexterity. This will enable more students to engage with coding education and develop STEM skills.
Feature Upgrade
Autism

Empower autistic students to program collaboratively

The Collaborative Blockly project aims to help autistic students learn to program collaboratively by providing scaffolded support and tools for managing social interactions and cognitive load. This will enable them to work effectively in group settings and develop essential collaboration skills.
Feature Upgrade
Motor Impairment

Improve the accessibility of the Scratch platform

Kevin Bedeau and Kate Littlefield
Scratch Foundation
The Scratch Foundation will enhance the accessibility of the Scratch platform by adding keyboard navigation throughout the Scratch editor and community site, improving screen reader compatibility, and prototyping experimental speech control for coding.
Feature Upgrade
Low-vision

Improve the accessibility of App Inventor and Blockly

This project aims to improve accessibility in App Inventor, a block-based coding platform. It will contribute to the Blockly community by improving the core, creating plugins, and providing feedback.
Curriculum
All Disabilities

Professional development for K–5 teachers to tailor the POUR principles to their use cases

Andrew Bennett and Dr. Maya Israel
University of Florida
This project aims to train K-5 teachers on using the POUR principles to make Blockly more accessible for students. Teachers will receive professional development, iPads, and robots to implement and evaluate accessibility features in their classrooms.
Feature Upgrade
Low-vision

Improve the coding experience in Blockly through code navigation and audio cues

Dr. Stephanie Ludi
University of North Texas
This project aims to make block-based programming more accessible for students who are blind or visually impaired. By developing features like keyboard navigation and audio cues, the project seeks to improve code navigation and understanding in the Blockly programming tool.
Research
Low-vision

Research and training for developers to drive WCAG compliance for block-based coding

This joint project aims to increase accessibility of Blockly, a block-based programming tool, for users with disabilities. By providing training resources and documentation on WCAG regulations, the project aims to help developers create more inclusive Blockly products.
Feature Upgrade
Low-vision

Conduct user research to support development of accessibility features and improve the accessibility of the user experience in MakeCode

This project will provide user feedback from experts, teachers and students during the development of accessibility features to ensure coding platforms like Blockly and MakeCode are easier for students with dexterity difficulties and visual impairments to use. By improving keyboard navigation and screen reader support the project will empower these students to learn coding and contribute to the digital workforce.

Join the conversation

Dive into the Blockly accessibility community forum to ask questions and share ideas.