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Tools and Resources

9 mins
Table of Contents

People ask me a lot what I actually use day to day to get through work and life in a world that wasn’t built for me. This is my running list of tools and resources I trust and use often.

Some links on this page may be affiliate or referral links. That means I may earn a small commission or account credit if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I have personally used or found genuinely helpful.

How I Access Technology #

These are the core tools I use to access computers, phones, and the web.

  • NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): My main screen reader. It’s free, open source, and highly customizable, which matters a lot in my development workflow.
  • Humanware Brailliant BI 40X: My refreshable braille display. It’s essential for reading and navigating digital content in a way that works for me.
  • VoiceOver: I use this on my iPhone for mobile accessibility. It lets me use my phone with gestures, braille, and speech.
  • Google Chrome: My preferred browser for web-based tasks. It works well with my screen reader, and most of my web work happens there. Chrome Autobrowse can also help when I run into inaccessible sites.
  • Betterbird: My preferred email client. It’s a Thunderbird fork with better accessibility and performance. With the Provider for Google Calendar add-on, it works smoothly with both Google Calendar and Google Tasks.

Programming and Site Building #

These are the tools I use for coding, site work, and backend learning.

  • VS Code: My main editor for Python, Lua, and SQL. It provides a stable, text-first environment that works well with my screen reader.
  • Hugo: The static site generator I use for this website. I switched from Pelican because Hugo builds much faster, requires fewer plugins, and has accessible themes that need far less tweaking. Its templating is also easier for me to work with than Jinja2.
  • The uv Package Manager: A very fast Python package manager I use for project management and tool syncing.
  • GitHub: The platform I use for version control and collaboration.
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): I use this to run a Linux environment (Arch Linux) while keeping the accessibility features I rely on in Windows.
  • GitHub Copilot: An AI coding assistant that helps me write code faster and catch mistakes sooner.
  • fzf, ripgrep, and fd: Command-line search and navigation tools I use every day. They are keyboard-first, produce clean text output, and help me browse filesystems and codebases without visual interfaces.
  • Tmux: A terminal multiplexer that keeps my sessions alive across disconnects. I use it to run persistent processes on my headless Raspberry Pi server.
  • Arch Linux: My Linux distro inside WSL. It gives me full control of my dev environment while I stay on a Windows machine with reliable screen reader support.

Productivity, Communication, and Digital Security #

These tools lower my cognitive load and help me stay organized and secure.

  • TextExpander: I use this to manage repetitive typing, reduce physical fatigue, and avoid having to remember exact strings of text. If you buy a plan through my referral link, I may earn account credit at no extra cost to you.
  • Ditto Clipboard Manager: Lets me keep track of multiple copied items, which cuts down on extra typing.
  • 1Password: My password manager. It’s a key part of my online security and peace of mind.
  • Foam: A VS Code-based note system I use for private notes and personal knowledge management.
  • Cloudflare: I use this for DNS and domain management. This site is hosted on Cloudflare Pages, which has been reliable and accessible for me.
  • PureTalk: My mobile service provider. They offer affordable plans and good enough coverage for where I live.
  • Gmail: My main email service. I rely on its accessibility and integration with other Google tools.
  • Google Calendar: I use this to manage my schedule and appointments. It works well enough with my screen reader for the way I use it.
  • Google Tasks: I use this to keep track of my to-dos. It integrates well with Google Calendar and Gmail, which helps me stay organized.
  • Tailscale: A zero-config VPN that connects all my devices into a private network. I use it to SSH into my headless Raspberry Pi from anywhere without opening ports or wrestling with complex network setup.
  • XMPP / Snikket: I use XMPP for lightweight, decentralized messaging. I run my own Snikket server as my hosted XMPP provider. It’s simple to self-host and gives me full control over my communication.
  • JMP.chat: A bridge service that lets me send and receive SMS and MMS from my computer. It integrates with XMPP, so I can text from my PC with my screen reader. Referral codes are available on request.
  • Discord: I use Discord for community chat. Its API integration capabilities also make it useful for workflow automation experiments.
  • Unigram (Telegram): My preferred Telegram client on Windows. Its accessibility makes it a reliable messaging platform on both desktop and mobile.
  • Pushover: A notification service that delivers alerts I can’t miss, like cron job results, health reminders, or critical system failures. It works across my phone and browser.

AI Tools and Memory Systems #

These are AI tools and memory systems I use or have tried to reduce cognitive load, preserve context, and support coding, writing, accessibility analysis, planning, and automation experiments.

  • ChatGPT: One of my main AI support tools. I use it for coding help, writing support, accessibility analysis, executive-function support, and turning rough thoughts into structured plans.
  • Pieces OS: A local-first memory and workflow tool I use to capture code snippets, project context, web research, and work history across apps. As its screen reader accessibility improves, it’s becoming a bigger part of my workflow.
  • Google Gemini: I use this for AI-assisted writing, brainstorming, research, and organizing rough thoughts when I’m overwhelmed.
  • Ollama: A local AI model runner I plan to use more after my computer upgrade, especially for experiments that would otherwise be limited by API usage or subscription caps.
  • Hermes Agent: An AI agent platform I’ve experimented with for automated workflows and personal assistance. I’m not currently running it because cloud model usage became too expensive, but I may revisit it with local models through Ollama.

Hardware and Custom Solutions #

These are tools and custom solutions that make my physical setup work better for me.

  • Keychron K10 Max: This mechanical keyboard provides the tactile response I need to know exactly where my hands are.
  • Apache Restoration and Design: My mother’s contracting business. She has built custom physical solutions for me in the past that respect my tactile needs and energy limits.
  • HydroFlask: Staying hydrated is a mechanical necessity for managing my health. I use these because they are durable and keep water at a consistent temperature.

Health and Medical Nutrition #

Managing multiple chronic conditions takes a systems approach.

  • Dr. Kenny Mittelstadt: My functional medicine practitioner and “root cause detective.” He works virtually with patients in Texas, California, and Florida.
  • Guava Health: A health tracking platform I use to monitor my symptoms, medications, and trends. This helps me and my doctors make better decisions.
  • FullScript: The platform I use to reliably source my medical-grade supplements and nutrition powders.
  • MediClear Plus: A medical food powder from Thorne I use for nutritional support when my digestive system is struggling.
  • UltraMeal: A medical food powder from Metagenics designed to support metabolic health.
  • TheraBath paraffin bath: I use this for heat therapy to manage pain and improve circulation in my hands.
  • Almay deodorant: I use this deodorant because it’s gentle on my skin and doesn’t cause irritation, which is important for managing my sensory sensitivities. Unlike most deodorants, it doesn’t trigger my skin issues, making it a reliable choice for daily use. I’d include a link, but for some reason their site doesn’t list deodorants.

Learning and Theology #

These resources support my self-paced education and spiritual exploration.

  • Boot.dev: My main platform for backend-focused computer science learning. I’m currently working through its Python, Linux, Git, and backend development tracks, and it has become my favorite way to study CS fundamentals.
  • Ledgeroo: A gamified accounting program I’m using to learn practical bookkeeping and financial workflows for my family’s business. Its progressive challenge system helps me work through accounting concepts one step at a time.
  • Exercism: A hands-on coding practice platform I’ve used for structured exercises, especially for people who learn well by solving small problems.
  • Codecademy: A self-paced learning platform I’ve used for programming and computer science foundations.
  • World Bible Plans: A resource I use for structured study and reading plans.
  • BibleGateway: A persistent text resource for looking up and comparing different Bible translations.
  • Gnosis.org: The primary library I use for exploring broader Christian history and Gnosticism.

Entertainment and Media #

These are my main sources for music, audiobooks, videos, and other media.

  • YouTube: I use YouTube for a wide range of content, from educational videos to entertainment. It works well enough with my screen reader, and it’s useful on days when I don’t feel well enough to read or focus deeply.
  • Spotify: My go-to music streaming service for playlists, everyday listening, and Christian music.
  • Audible: I use Audible for audiobooks and podcasts. It’s an easy way for me to find and listen to audiobooks.

Accessible Gaming #

These are games I’ve found more accessible because they prioritize menus, text, and systems over spatial navigation or timed reactions.

  • Trimps: A deep incremental game that’s entirely menu-driven and works perfectly with NVDA.
  • Evolve: A text-based civilization simulation focused on optimization.
  • A Dark Room: A minimalist text-based game focused on resource management through menus.
  • EmpireMUD: A text game that uses coordinates and pathing to help me navigate without needing a mental map.
  • Stellar Aeon: A text-based space exploration game with a strategy focus.
  • Erion: A MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) that focuses on exploration and social interaction through text commands.

Technical and Disability Communities #

  • Disabled Techies Slack: A group for tech workers with disabilities. It’s one of the places where disabled people in tech can compare notes, ask questions, and support each other.
  • AppleVis: A community for blind and low-vision Apple users, with reviews, guides, and community posts about accessibility.
  • r/blind: A subreddit where blind and visually impaired people share experiences, ask questions, and discuss accessibility and blindness.
  • Program-l: A mailing list for blind programmers. It’s helpful for questions about programming, tools, and accessibility as a blind developer.
  • Touching-python: A mailing list for blind Python programmers. It’s useful for Python-specific questions from other blind programmers.
  • r/spicyautism: A subreddit for autistic people with higher support needs. I find it validating because it talks about parts of autism that often get ignored in lower-support-needs spaces.

Note: Some links on this page may be affiliate or referral links. I only recommend tools, services, and communities I’ve personally used or found genuinely helpful.