How Are Assistive Technologies Helping People With Dyslexia?

We are living in an era where assistive technology is paving new paths for everyone. Mobile technology, too, is providing amazing opportunities in the domain of AT (Assistive Technologies). These helpful solutions aim to deliver it all from taking care of the elderly, or differently abled persons, to improving their social interaction and imbibing confidence in them.

But these impressive tools haven’t been fully utilised. Yes, they exist, but they aren’t used widely. There are many reasons for this:

- people are less aware of them,

- they are difficult to develop

- it is tough for AT mobile apps to meet specific user requirements

- there exists no classification or category for AT in mobile app stores.

These reasons might appear hard-hitting, but they are true. And just because a large populace doesn’t use them doesn’t in any way mean that the users are less. Or that the fraction of the population needing such solutions is small – that’s definitely not the case!

AT apps and solutions are practical and thus, must be developed for a large chunk of people who need assistance. For those who are full of potential but aren’t able to channelise their talents. Assistive options are a wonderful opportunity for them – they must be created and used, as the need be.

The need is to make them interactive, easy to use, efficient and user-friendly!

Understanding what dyslexia is?

Dyslexia is one of the Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs). A person having this condition has difficulty in reading at a good pace or without mistakes. It is difficult for them to spell, write and read comprehension passages.

Many don’t know that these challenges related to reading, writing etc. have no bearing on intelligence. A dyslexic child or person is not unintelligent! On the contrary, many people having this condition have impressive creative, visual and problem-solving skills.

Thus, dyslexia is not linked with intelligence but can make learning difficult. Contrary to popular belief, it varies from person to person. Different people will have distinct sets of weaknesses and strengths! It usually occurs with other related conditions like ADD (attention deficit disorder), dyspraxia, dyscalculia, etc.

For those who don’t know about SLD, please read on. SLD or Specific learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It adversely affects a person’s ability to calculate, read, write, speak or listen. Such a condition usually develops in early childhood years and is easy to identify.

What do we understand by assistive technology?

Assistive tech is an umbrella term. It includes systems and services related to delivering assistive products and services. These products help individuals in maintaining and improving their functioning and thus promoting their independence and well-being.

Some examples of assistive products that are physically available are – spectacles, prosthetics, wheelchairs, communication aids, memory aids, pill organisers, etc.

While there are more than 1 billion people worldwide needing one or more assistive products; but sadly, only one in 10 people have access to them. This reflects in the app industry too!

This technology helps people to live better – in a more healthy, productive and independent way. It enables them to participate in different activities, markets and several aspects of civic life. It also decreases the dependence of people on long-term caregivers, etc.

AT prove to be highly helpful as they don’t let people feel excluded, isolated and locked in poverty. They can make a better life for themselves and their families with the right aid available at the right time.

Technologies offering aid for dyslexia enabling better learning outcomes

Many have this question ‘can tech really help people with learning disabilities?’ ‘Is that viable?’

The answer is yes – it can and it is viable! The solutions that technology offers are smart and practical. A number of apps have been specifically designed for learners focusing on multisensory learning. They make use of different senses – sound, sight, touch – simultaneously.

This proves to be of immense help to dyslexic learners. This way the transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory becomes relatively easier.

The visuals, sounds and UI available on phones and tablets facilitate multisensory learning too! For example, the drag, touch, swipe, tap, etc., engage learners better and help their minds to absorb inputs better.

Let’s look at some of the ATs that are helping people with dyslexia:

• Text-to-speech
  
  It allows individuals to comprehend written material. In addition, there are options to proofread or check the work done.
  

• Mind mapping software
  
  They are effective tools developed for dyslexics to help them plan their day and work in an efficient and effective way.
  

• Scanning software and hand reading pens
  
  Both of these help users to store and listen to text material found in books, documents, etc.
  

• Speech recognition
  
  This one is a famous one and is widely used. It enables users to talk or give verbal commands to a digital device that converts it into text. This proves helpful for individuals who experience difficulties while writing emails, reports or other forms of written communications.
  

• Computer-based learning programming
  
  They are written in a dyslexia-centric manner, which in turn help learners to improve their reading, writing, math and typing skills.
  

• Spell checkers
  
  Some spell checkers are specifically designed for dyslexic persons. These tools make automatic corrections and help them with reading and writing.

In conclusion

Differently abled persons need apps that offer assistance as much as anyone else needs a helpful application. The need of the hour is to develop such solutions and focus on a group that is fully capable in a slightly different way.

With better options coming up everyday in every domain, it is the responsibility of the entrepreneurs to not leave this domain unattended.

Apps providing assistance can make elderly, differently-abled people more independent, as human interference or help isn’t required.

Such smart solutions can improve situations for the better and aid differently abled persons to explore several opportunities for them. Everyone has the right to make the best out of their lives, right! If any tech advancement can help people achieve that, why not move ahead with it then!

Therefore, developing more AT platforms is the need of the hour. So, we must not act laid back and connect with field experts for assistive tech solutions today!

Let’s vow to help everyone around us!