Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

From text-to-speech software and speech recognition to reading pens, coloured overlays and simple reading rulers, assistive technology for dyslexia can make reading, writing and studying more accessible by giving learners alternative ways to work with information.

 

In this latest guide, we thought we would explore some of the most beneficial assistive technology for students with dyslexia.

 

What is assistive technology in education?

Assistive technology for dyslexia includes devices, software, and practical tools that help a person access information, communicate, read, write, or study more effectively. In schools, this can range from sophisticated dyslexia software to simple physical dyslexia tools such as reading rulers, and the right choice depends on what the learner finds difficult rather than their diagnosis alone.

 

Four broad categories are particularly useful:

-        Text-to-speech software, which reads digital text aloud.

-        Reading and scanning pens, which scan printed words and read them aloud.

-        OCR software, which converts images or scanned documents into editable digital text.

-        Low-tech reading aids, including reading rulers and coloured overlays.

 

If the learner struggles with...	Consider...
Reading digital text	Text-to-speech software
Reading printed books or worksheets	A reading or scanning pen
Getting ideas onto the page	Speech recognition software
Spelling while typing	Word prediction and phonetic spellcheck
Organising essays or written work	Mind-mapping and planning tools
Tracking lines of text	Reading rulers
Visual discomfort when reading	Coloured overlays
Accessing scanned or photographed documents	OCR software

 

Text-to-speech software for dyslexia

Text-to-speech software converts written text on a screen into spoken audio, and for many dyslexic learners, this can make digital information much easier to access. Typically, the software scans or recognises digital text and reads it aloud, and many programs highlight each word as it is spoken, helping the reader follow the text visually while listening.

 

There are several free or built-in options worth exploring, such as Microsoft Immersive Reader, Apple's Speak Screen and Speak Selection, Google Chrome’s text-to-speech extensions, and NaturalReader’s free tier program.

 

For older students, text-to-speech software can be particularly useful because the amount of reading often increases substantially at secondary school, college and university. For example, a student writing an assignment could use text-to-speech to listen to a source document while following along on screen, helping them identify key information more easily and work through larger quantities of reading without relying on someone else.

 

The technology can also support proofreading. Having written work read aloud can help a student notice missing words, awkward sentences or sections that do not make sense.

 

Read and Write Software by Texthelp

Read&Write is literacy support software designed to help students read, write and study more independently. It is used across primary, secondary and higher education and can provide a range of tools within one platform.

 

For students who need text-to-speech software, Read&Write offers a variety of tools, such as:

-        Text-to-speech

-        Text and picture dictionaries

-        Vocabulary lists

-        Audio Maker

-        Check It

-        Rewordify

-        Talk and Type

 

Dragon Speech Recognition Software

Speech recognition software provides another route around the barriers some dyslexic people experience when writing. Dragon Speech Recognition software lets users dictate text directly into documents, emails, and compatible applications, so for someone who knows what they want to say but finds spelling, handwriting, or keyboarding difficult, this can make a substantial difference.

 

For parents, Dragon can provide an at-home solution for children who struggle with written assignments by allowing them to formulate their ideas verbally and dictate them directly into a document. For schools and colleges, it can support students who need a more sophisticated form of speech-to-text as part of their wider assistive technology provision.

 

One feature that distinguishes Dragon from many basic dictation tools is voice training, with the software capable of learning from an individual's speech patterns over time, helping improve recognition accuracy. This can be particularly useful for users whose accent or speech patterns are not handled particularly well by simpler voice-to-text systems.

 

There are also different Dragon packages available, depending on the user's age, needs, device and intended use. Here at The Dyslexia Shop, we stock a wide range of options, ensuring you can always find the perfect product for your needs.  

 

Dyslexia Writing Tools

Dyslexia writing tools help make getting ideas from the mind onto the page much easier.  From dictation, word prediction, phonetic spellcheckers and planning software, these tools can support at every stage of writing.

 

Word Prediction and Spellchecker Tools

Word prediction suggests possible words after a user has typed a few letters. This can reduce both the spelling and typing load, particularly when a learner knows what they want to say but struggles to recall the correct spelling.

 

Phonetic spellchecking can be especially valuable for dyslexic learners because conventional spellcheckers do not always recognise a word when its spelling is substantially different from the intended word.

 

Planning and Mind-Mapping Tools

Spelling is only one part of writing, and a learner may know exactly how to spell individual words but still struggle to organise ideas into a coherent paragraph, report or essay. Mind-mapping and planning tools allow students to capture ideas in a less linear way. Instead of having to decide the opening sentence immediately, they can record ideas, move them around and group related information.

 

A useful workflow might look like this:

 

Mind map → outline → dictate or type → review

 

A student could begin by creating a visual map of everything they want to include, turn those ideas into a logical outline, use Dragon or another writing tool to produce a first draft and finally use Read&Write or another proofreading tool to review the finished work.

 

This makes the different forms of assistive technology for dyslexia work together rather than treating every tool as a standalone solution.

 

Reading Pens and Scanning Pens for Dyslexia

Reading pens are portable dyslexia reading aids that can be particularly useful when the text is printed rather than displayed on a screen. A scanning pen uses an optical sensor to scan printed text, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) converts the scanned image into digital text, which the pen can then read aloud through its built-in speaker or headphones.

 

C-Pen Models Compared

The C-Pen range provides several options, but they are designed for different situations.

 

The C-Pen Reader 2 is a general-purpose reading pen for everyday use. It can scan and read individual words or passages aloud, making it suitable for home study, classroom work and independent reading. The C-Pen Reader 3 is another general-purpose option, with additional functionality compared with the Reader 2. The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is specifically designed for approved exam use, and its stripped-back functionality means it does not include features such as definitions and translation modes that would not be appropriate in certain examination conditions.

 

OCR Software for Dyslexia

Understanding Optical Character Recognition can be useful when choosing assistive technology. Effectively, OCR turns a picture of words into text that other software can process. For example, a student could photograph a printed page, run the image through optical character recognition software and then use text-to-speech technology to have the resulting text read aloud.

 

Desktop options include OCR functions within Adobe Acrobat and specialist programs such as ABBYY FineReader, while Google Drive also provides OCR functionality for suitable uploaded documents. When choosing the best optical character recognition software, compatibility with the documents and devices the student already uses matters as much as the number of features included.

 

Assistive Technology in Education

Assistive technology in education can help schools remove barriers for dyslexic learners in mainstream and specialist settings, and can include everything from software licences and speech recognition to physical dyslexia reading aids such as reading rulers and coloured overlays. Schools should consider assistive technology alongside their wider approach to SEN provision, ensuring they are providing appropriate support and reasonable adjustments to ensure that every pupil can achieve their best. 

 

When schools think of assistive technology, software and electronic devices are usually the first things that spring to mind; however, not every solution needs to be sophisticated or a massive change. A coloured overlay or reading ruler requires no installation or training, but can transform how students read and understand text.

 

Dyslexia Software for Schools

Dyslexia software for schools needs to work at a slightly different level from a product purchased for occasional home use. When purchasing these products, SENCOs may need to consider:

-        Whether the software supports multiple pupils

-        How licences are managed

-        Whether it works on the school's existing devices

-        Whether pupils can use it across different classrooms

-        Compatibility with Windows, iPads or Chromebooks

-        Whether the software can form part of normal working practices

-        Whether it is suitable alongside exam access arrangements.

 

Once they have been able to clearly answer these questions, it will help them to identify which products are most beneficial to students.

 

Funding Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

Cost is understandably an important consideration for families and schools. Higher education students may be able to access funding through the Disabled Students' Allowance, commonly known as DSA, although eligibility and the type of support available depend on the student's circumstances and the relevant funding body's assessment process.

 

Students in England can find information about applying through Student Finance England, while students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should check the relevant devolved funding arrangements.

 

For schools, procurement can involve different considerations. A SENCO may need to compare individual pupil licences with school-wide or multi-user licences and check whether software works on devices the school already owns. It is also important to consider how the technology will actually be used, as a technically powerful product is unlikely to provide good value if pupils cannot access it easily during everyday lessons.

 

Assistive technology may form part of provision made through a school's existing SEND resources. Where a child's needs are set out in an EHCP, specific assistive technology may also be included as part of the provision required to meet those needs.

 

Final thoughts

In recent years, the range of assistive technology for dyslexia has grown considerably, giving children, students and adults more ways to overcome barriers to reading and writing. From free built-in accessibility features and simple dyslexia tools to specialist software and reading pens, there are options for different needs and budgets.

 

The most useful approach is to start with the difficulty rather than the product. A learner struggling with reading may need text-to-speech software, a C-Pen or other dyslexia reading aids, while someone who has ideas but struggles to write them down may benefit from speech recognition software. Whatever it may be, The Dyslexia Shop stocks a wide range of products and resources designed to help students thrive at home and at school.