Within the academic world, theology holds a modest place. Even more modest is the number of students and theologians with visual impairments. As a result, it is not always easy for blind or visually impaired theologians or students to find their way across the obstacles they may encounter. Consider questions such as: How do I learn the biblical languages if I depend on Braille and/or speech synthesis? How do I gain access to a well-organized and accessible theological library? What accommodations are needed if I want to study theology? How can I serve my congregation, the church and world with the talents and insights I have been given?
Awareness of accessibility challenges in theological studies for students with visual impairments emerged from conversations between students and lecturers/professors. While the ever-increasing availability of resources in digital formats nowadays offers new opportunities to convert materials into accessible media, most resources and software are still not accessible nor designed to meet the specific needs and requirements of PVI.
Project Didymus is a Dutch collaboration dedicated to advancing the accessibility of Biblical Studies for People with Visual Impairments (PVI). It is intended as a gathering place to provide answers to the questions raised above as well as future questions in this area. We aim to offer a space for and by theologians with visual impairments, as well as for others who share an affinity with this group.
Project Didymus’ core conviction is that Biblical Studies should be accessible to anyone, despite one’s background, challenges and circumstances in life. Our primary focus is at the blind and visually impaired. That said, there might be some overlap in needs with other disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Project Didymus is committed to realize this vision by:
Promoting concepts of accessibility in the scholarly community of biblical studies.
Building a knowledge base
Providing guidelines and instructions to study Biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic) accessibly, including critical texts/apparatuses
Stimulating exchange of experiences between students, tutors and professors to prevent re-inventing the wheel in making biblical studies
Promoting use and adoption of accessibility standards in widely used software within the field
Leveling up knowledge and awareness of current theologians about new technology and insights that evolved after their study.
Currently, we are exploring ways to improve access to the original biblical languages. This includes not only transliterating digital texts for braille devices or audio formats, but also making the critical apparatus accessible, and enhancing the usability of Bible software for PVI.
Stieneke Roelofsen (b. 1998) finished her Bachelor of Theology at the Christian University of Applied Sciences in Ede (The Netherlands). During her studies she was chair of the student council, advising the board on making the university an inclusive place for all students. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Stieneke began working for the Dutch government. Stieneke is currently pursuing a premaster at the Protestant Theological University (PThU) with the goal of enrolling in the master’s program for pastors and spiritual counselors, reflecting her dedication to supporting others in both spiritual and practical ways.
Maarten The MA studied theology at the Christian University of Applied Sciences in Ede. After finishing his bachelor’s degree, he continued his studies at the Baptist Seminary and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Specializing in Baptistic and Evangelical leadership, he earned his master’s degree in theology and religious studies. Currently, Maarten serves as a full-time pastor at the Kruiskerk, a Baptist congregation in Dordrecht.
Leonard de Ruiter MSc (b. 1993) studied Child and Adolescent Psychology at Leiden University. He is currently studying at the Theological University of Apeldoorn. Due to a strong affinity with IT, he has developed as a software developer and is employed part time at SEVENP. He has contributed to various open-source projects, such as the NVDA screen reader and the liblouis braille translator. In addition, he has contributed to an eight-dot braille standard for the Dutch language area within the Dutch Braille Authority.
Dr. Marco Rotman (b. 1970) studied theology at the Evangelical Theological Faculty (Leuven), specializing in New Testament. In 2019 he received his PhD from the Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam. He has been working at the Christian University of Applied Sciences in Ede (the Netherlands) as a New Testament lecturer since 2004, and is leading a research group on the Jewish character of the New Testament and Jewish-Christian relations. By tutoring several students with a visual impairment in their exegetical work, he witnessed first hand the challenges these students encounter in Biblical Studies. Marco is affiliated with the Amsterdam New Testament Colloquium (VU) and is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Studiosorum Novi Testamenti Conventus and the Dutch Association of Jewish Studies.
Dr. Vincent van Altena (b. 1977) is senior researcher at Kadaster, the Netherlands and co-chair of the International Cartographic Association’s Working Group on Inclusive Cartography. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology (CHE), an MSc in geographical information science (VU), and a PhD in spatial-temporal interpretation of early Christian literature (Delft University of Technology). He is affiliated with the Amsterdam New Testament Research Colloquium (VU), and a member of the Studiosorum Novi Testamenti Conventus. At Kadaster, Vincent has led the Dutch initiative on tactile mapping (2023-2025). He is co-editor of the book Tactile Mapping: Cartography for people with Visual Impairments, Redlands, CA: Esri Press (2025).
Contact us at info@didymus.info.