Kerry, a passionate educator in Immokalee, Florida, is making coding accessible for visually impaired students with the help of Code Jumper. This hands-on coding kit is breaking barriers, allowing students to explore technology in ways traditional programs don’t always support. From classroom projects to field trips and even music-based coding experiments, Kerry is proving that when accessibility meets creativity, the possibilities are endless.
Kerry is a dedicated Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Instructor. She’s spent years working with students of all ages, from kindergarten to young adults, helping them navigate school with accessibility in mind. With experience in Collier County Public Schools and previous work in Boston and Rhode Island, Kerry is always on the lookout for tools that make learning more inclusive. So when she first heard about Code Jumper through a newsletter from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), she knew she had to check it out.
Originally designed by Microsoft and developed by APH, the Code Jumper takes block coding off the screen using plastic pods, oversized buttons, and cords. Unlike most school tech that relies heavily on sight, this device lets students dive into coding without those barriers. Kerry introduced it to her students, and they were instantly hooked! For her academic students with different levels of vision loss, being able to create right alongside their sighted peers with minimal help was a total game-changer. It gave them the confidence to collaborate and build friendships in ways they hadn’t before.
What really blew Kerry away, though, was how well Code Jumper worked for students with additional disabilities. Since it’s all about sound, she was able to design fun activities beyond just coding. With a little extra planning, she created music and animal sound games that worked beautifully for her students. It wasn’t the original intention of the system, but it turned out to be a perfect fit!
To take things even further, Kerry set up a quarterly field trip as part of a life skills lab in Collier County. Students from elementary, middle, and high school got to come together and work on hands-on group projects with Code Jumper. The more she used it, the more she realized just how much she could scale up the activities to keep challenging them. These field trips quickly became a highlight, showing just how fun and empowering accessible technology can be.
Looking ahead, Kerry is brainstorming even more creative ways to use Code Jumper—especially in music. The device has built-in features that let students code beats, program instruments, and even compose songs. She’s thinking about ways to bring live musical instruments into the mix, maybe even incorporating it into band or orchestra programs. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, she’s making sure her students don’t just learn tech skills—they also get to experience the joy of creativity and self-expression.
Additionally, Kerry’s colleague plans to integrate the Code Jumper into the Lighthouse of Collier’s summer youth program. Kerry stated, “It is a great opportunity for some interagency collaboration. Plus, kids at the camp often bring their non-visually impaired siblings along, and as you know, I think the Code Jumper is a great tool for building socialization skills and opportunities!”
Kerry’s efforts are a reminder that when learning tools are designed with accessibility in mind, students of all abilities can thrive, not just in the classroom but also in discovering their potential and passions.
