Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

How Can Assistive Technology Help People With Dyslexia?

Reports suggest around 1 in 10 people in the UK has dyslexia, which affects people across the entire spectrum of intelligence. Along with reading, writing, and spelling difficulties, the British Dyslexia Association suggests people with dyslexia show problems in the following areas:  

• Phonological awareness: they may have problems with phonemes (how words sound) and graphemes (written representations of word sounds). 
• Distractions: they could have problems concentrating or experiencing mental overload
• Absent-mindedness: Forgetting conversations or important dates
• Task challenges: They may find certain tasks more challenging than others 

So what are some key ways Assistive Technology for Dyslexia supports people to overcome these challenges? 

Facilitates Independence

Research suggests most people with dyslexia benefit from dyslexia support when it allows them to learn and function independently. By removing the need for a ‘middle man’, Assistive Technology for Dyslexia can facilitate better autonomy in a more convenient, controlled way.

Reduces Physical and Emotional Strain

Neurodivergent individuals tend to experience chronic tiredness, fatigue, and burnout more than neurotypicals. Assistive tech reduces the strain of using extra mental and physical energy to achieve the same results as neurotypicals.

Improves Productivity and Retention

The Business Disability Forum suggests three-quarters of managers witness increased staff productivity after making workplace adjustments. Using Assistive Technology for Dyslexia for workplace adjustments can also improve staff motivation to stay with an organisation. It does this by bridging gaps, overcoming challenges, and facilitating independence. And, as a result, increasing output and job satisfaction. 

Boosts Confidence and Motivation

Using Assistive Technology for Dyslexia to increase reading and writing fluency and accuracy helps reduce anxiety levels. By removing physical and emotional strain, AT like text-to-speech or dictation software can boost focus, concentration, and independent thinking. This allows people with dyslexia to let their thoughts and ideas flow, which can increase confidence.

What Types of Assistive Technology Benefit People With Dyslexia?

People with dyslexia have a wide range of tools that can support them with their work or studies. Whether they struggle with typing, speaking, or writing words, different forms of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia can help.  

Captioning Software

Real-time closed captioning software closes the gap for people with dyslexia by converting spoken words into closed captions. Accurate transcriptions are also available through this software, offering dyslexia users a backup option of reading through a meeting to check through what they may have missed.   

Note-Taking Software

Note-taking software improves focus and concentration. But it also removes any fear of not keeping up with conversations or inaccuracy during meetings. By reducing stress and anxiety, note-taking software aids learning, comprehension, and improves memory recall via the Generation Effect. 

Dictation Software

Dictation software is a type of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia that allows voice control so that users’ spoken words convert into words on a page. Knowing this tool can help boost user’s confidence and productivity. 

Text-to-Speech Software

Text-to-speech software converts written text into spoken words. This format is very beneficial for people with dyslexia who struggle with too much information on a screen. This type of software will read text out loud as it appears on the page while reducing spelling errors. It can also help avoid reading or writing issues that could lead to misunderstandings. 

Decluttering, Magnifying, and Spelling Screen Readers

Decluttering apps can remove adverts and other on-screen clutter to help people with dyslexia read their screens better. Other types of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia apps can read screens and magnify certain points to help when reading. Spell-checking apps also make it easy to notice grammar and spelling issues before sharing with clients and colleagues.   

Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts and Predictive Text

Dyslexia-friendly fonts are available on Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and all leading word-processing software. Other types of software are bespoke to dyslexia and use a specific typeface with subtle but impactful alterations that make letters easier to read. Word prediction software can also help with overcoming spelling and writing difficulties. 

Organisational Tools

Electronic calendars, project management tools, mind-mapping tools, and even Caption.Ed are all tools that can improve organisation skills. Using apps to improve organisational skills increases focus, confidence, and productivity. And many of the apps we use for daily work and communication can also be forms of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia. 

Free Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

Certain types of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia are free when you apply through two available government funding streams: 

• Access to Work: People of all incomes can get funding from Access to Work to help with dyslexia. Access to Work funds assistive tech and training, with grants of up to £70,000 available to pay for specialized equipment and software.  
• Disabled Students Allowance: Students who need help from Assistive Technology for Dyslexia can apply for funding through the Disabled Students Allowance. The fund supports students of all ages with hardware and software.    

Assistive Technology Tools for Dyslexia at University

Students with dyslexia must find the right tools to support their learning and assist in overcoming any study challenges. Notable tools that can help students with their learning include: 

• Caption.Ed: Taking notes is a critical aspect of effective learning in Higher Education. Caption.Ed improves focus by reducing auditory strain and decoding complex or scientific terms during live note-taking. This can reduce the fatigue students with dyslexia often experience from straining to understand words.  
• TalkType: When it feels like too much to write up thoughts and ideas, our dictation app– TalkType–reduces stress and boosts productivity, leading to greater confidence.   
• Productivity apps: Many students benefit by using a variety of productivity resources and apps. Doing so can improve focus and reduce anxieties. 
• Screen Readers: Some students with dyslexia may find it easier to access a curriculum using a screen reader. Screen readers can help with reading out and magnifying information when there’s too much on the screen or it’s hard to read. 

Assistive Technology Tools for Dyslexia in the Workplace

People with dyslexia can use assistive technology to improve focus, reduce anxiety and overwhelm, and help in a variety of workplace settings.  

• Caption.Ed: Captioning software improves focus and concentration at work by reducing anxiety over complex words and terminology. Captioning technology allows staff with dyslexia the freedom to engage in meetings without worrying about misunderstanding any words said.     
• TalkType: TalkType’s Custom Words feature allows users to add technical terminology and any distinct names that it will always recognise. This type of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia then becomes    
• Dyslexia-friendly software: Specific forms of software can help people with dyslexia processes words effectively. Dyslexie Font, for example, makes it easier to decipher letters on a page. 
• Decluttering tools: Some people with dyslexia can find MS Teams or other group working apps difficult to read and engage with. Decluttering apps can remove certain areas of the screen to make things easier to read and understand.