Assistive Technology
Sometimes the difficulties faced by Dyslexics in the workplace, on the college campus or even at home can be improved by the intervention of Assistive Technology.
There is a lot of free software available which can help all learners. Such as: planning (mindmapping) reading and writing (predict spellings, talking dictionaries etc) visual support (screen glare protection) to name but a few.
www.eduapps.org has a lot of free downloads and is a good place to look for ideas.
Assistive Technology is the term used to describe mechanical or software applications that can provide the individual with a coping strategy to by pass the literacy restrictions imposed by Dyslexia.
Let’s look at a simple analogy. Remember when first learning to read we would often use our finger to trace the words on the page, and then when we progressed sometimes we would use a ruler and hold it under each line of text so that we didn’t lose our place. That represents a simple coping strategy and provides an appropriate starting point to look at today’s technological equivalent as well as other software and mechanical advances which are listed below.
(Because technology and software applications are continually being developed and improved no specific brand recommendations are made. We suggest that you consult the product catalogue produced by IANSYST Ltd of Cambridge. Tel 01223 420101 for the latest updated products)
Screenruler - software that provides a moveable magnified strip feature to help the reader track text across the screen and at the same time the background outside the strip can be reduced in intensity or if preferred greyed out.
Reading Pen - a hand held device less than the size of a TV remote control, various applications available, that scan and store up to a 100 pages of text and then download to a PC, or in some more advanced models words such as those that are difficult for the reader to spell can be scanned and instantly read back.
Text to Speech Software - as the name implies this category covers a sophisticated range of software applications that convert the printed word on screen into speech. The software in effect becomes a personal reader making it instantly easier for the user to get to grips with content and meaning of text. These software packages can have various features such as spellchecker, word prediction, dictionaries and Word Wizard. More advanced software options are able to scan, read aloud, reformat and edit documents as well as convert text directly into audio files for MP3 use.
Speech Recognition Software - in a sense the flip side of Text to Speech where Speech is converted directly into text. Various packages and options are available, all designed to speed up the user’s ability to get words on to the screen page. Some software applications also provide for speech to be converted direct from digital recorders thus allowing the user a unique degree of dictation to text flexibility.
Personal Digital Recorders - as mentioned above sophisticated recorders that allow the user the freedom to dictate notes, record lectures or seminars and then transfer the audio recordings direct to text via a PC using compatible Speech Recognition Software.
Personal Digital Assistant – a small portable hand held device offering many of the functions of a laptop but much cheaper and more portable. PDAs operate using Microsoft Pocket PC or Palm operating system and can offer varying functions that can include-note taking, time management and organisational tools as well as in some cases word processing facilities.
Portable Word Processors - another alternative to the laptop but specifically designed to ease the practical business of getting their words on to the screen, these devices can significantly help Dyslexics. These machines give access not only to word processing but also spreadsheet and organisational tools, and some models using an external voice card allow the typed text to be read out loud.
Concept Mapping – software packages that can enable Dyslexics to formulate their ideas and translate them on screen into imaginative graphic and textual format. This software allows the Dyslexic to combine words and images in order to present his/her ideas in an alternative and more engaging visual form.
Some of the software applications and hardware may be available to dyslexics on assessment under various schemes. These include the Local Authority funded "Disabled Student Allowance" scheme for University Students and the "Access to Work Programme" for Dyslexics persons seeking specific employment. For information on the Disabled Student Allowance you will need to approach either the Student Support Services on campus or the Local Education Authority, Further information on Access to Work can be obtained from your local Job Centre.
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