What is the Coloured Overlay Assessment Pack – Workplace Edition?

The Coloured Overlay Assessment Pack – Workplace Edition is a complete assessment kit that helps employers, HR teams and occupational health staff determine whether an employee would benefit from a coloured overlay when reading. It is designed for adults in employment who may have dyslexia, visual stress (also known as Meares-Irlen syndrome), or general visual discomfort when reading printed or screen-based text. No specialist background is required to carry out the assessment.

How it helps in the workplace

Visual stress can make printed and on-screen text appear to shimmer, blur or move, which increases fatigue and slows reading during everyday work tasks. This pack includes two full sets of 16 coloured A5 overlays and a rate-of-reading test covering four font sizes (10pt, 12pt, 14pt and 22pt), so an assessor can identify whether a particular overlay colour improves an employee's reading comfort and speed. Identifying this early supports timely, proportionate workplace adjustments.

For employers and HR teams

• Supports reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 by providing a documented, evidence-based assessment process for employees experiencing reading difficulty.
• Includes employee leaflets and Access to Work information, helping HR signpost employees towards further government support where eligible.
• Template letters to employers make it straightforward to record and communicate assessment outcomes formally.
• Photocopiable posters, including "Visual Stress vs Visual Comfort" and a quick checklist, can be used to raise awareness across a team or department.
• Presented in a sturdy D-ring binder, so the pack remains organised for repeated use with different employees over time.

Supporting employees with dyslexia and visual stress

For employees with dyslexia, visual stress is a commonly co-occurring difficulty that can compound reading fatigue during office work, screen-based tasks and training. For employees with visual stress alone, this assessment can reveal that a simple coloured overlay measurably improves reading comfort, without requiring a formal dyslexia diagnosis. The pack draws on gold-standard, peer-reviewed research into visual stress interventions, giving assessors confidence in the method's evidence base.

A take-away leaflet explaining what visual stress is, plus background information on symptoms and treatment, allows employees to understand their assessment results and any recommended next steps in their own time.

Getting started

The pack includes a full, easy-to-follow assessment instruction manual, so HR or occupational health staff can begin assessments without further training. It is a practical, one-off purchase that supports ongoing workplace adjustments as new needs are identified.

• Two full sets of 16 A5 coloured overlays (32 overlays in total) housed in sturdy punched zip pockets, allowing side-by-side colour comparison during assessment.
• Rate-of-reading test comprising 4 words check sheets and 32 words sheets, with 8 sheets for each of four font sizes (10pt, 12pt, 14pt, 22pt), plus a words-used list.
• Full, easy-to-follow assessment instruction manual written for non-specialist HR and occupational health staff.
• Information booklet covering visual stress symptoms and treatment options, giving assessors background context alongside the practical assessment.
• Photocopiable assessment sheets for keeping an ongoing written record of each employee assessed.
• Template letters to employers, ready to adapt once an assessment is complete.
• Bibliography and web links to the underlying peer-reviewed research on visual stress and coloured overlays.
• Photocopiable posters: "Visual Stress vs Visual Comfort" and a Visual Stress Quick Checklist, for wider workplace awareness.
• Photocopiable take-away leaflet explaining what visual stress is, plus an employee leaflet and Access to Work information.
• Sturdy D-ring presentation binder to keep all materials organised for repeated use.
• Designed for adult, workplace-based assessment rather than a school or home setting.

• Screens for both dyslexia and visual stress in one pack. Assessors can identify whether an employee's reading difficulty is linked to visual stress, which commonly co-occurs with dyslexia.
• No specialist training needed. The instruction manual is written for HR and occupational health staff, not just specialist assessors, so any employer can carry out the assessment directly.
• Supports Equality Act adjustments. Provides a documented assessment process that helps employers evidence reasonable adjustments and signpost employees to Access to Work.
• Reusable across the whole organisation. Photocopiable assessment sheets and posters mean the pack supports repeated use with different employees over time.
• Built on peer-reviewed research. The assessment method draws on gold-standard scientific research into visual stress interventions, not informal observation alone.

What's in the Box

• 2 x sets of 16 A5 coloured overlays (32 overlays total) in punched zip pockets
• 1 x rate-of-reading test set (4 words check sheets, 32 words sheets across four font sizes, 1 words-used list)
• 1 x assessment instruction manual
• 1 x information booklet on visual stress symptoms and treatment
• Photocopiable assessment sheets
• Template letters to employers
• Bibliography and web links sheet
• Photocopiable posters (Visual Stress vs Visual Comfort; Visual Stress Quick Checklist)
• Photocopiable "what is visual stress" take-away leaflet
• Employee leaflet and Access to Work information sheet
• 1 x D-ring presentation binder

Care and Cleaning

Wipe overlays clean with a soft, dry cloth. Keep paper materials and the binder away from moisture.

Delivery and Returns

Standard UK delivery applies. See our Delivery and Returns page for full details.

Accessibility Notes

The assessment manual is written specifically for non-specialist workplace staff, with clear step-by-step instructions. Assessment sheets are photocopiable, allowing repeated use across an organisation without needing to purchase replacement pads.

Safety and Age Suitability

Designed for adult, workplace-based use by HR, occupational health or line management staff conducting an assessment with an employee. Not intended for unsupervised use.

• What is the Coloured Overlay Assessment Pack – Workplace Edition used for?
  It is a workplace assessment kit used to identify whether an employee would benefit from coloured overlays due to visual stress or dyslexia. Assessors test reading using 16 overlay colours and a rate-of-reading test, recording results on the included photocopiable sheets.
• Is this suitable for assessing employees with dyslexia?
  Yes, this pack is suitable for assessing employees with dyslexia, particularly where visual stress is also suspected. Visual stress commonly co-occurs with dyslexia, and this pack helps establish whether a coloured overlay improves an employee's reading comfort and speed.
• Does this help identify visual stress in employees?
  Yes, identifying visual stress is the core purpose of this pack. It includes 16 coloured overlays and a rate-of-reading test across four font sizes, allowing assessors to see whether a particular colour reduces visual discomfort while reading.
• Do HR or occupational health staff need specialist training to use this pack?
  No, the pack is designed for use by non-specialist workplace staff, including HR, occupational health and line managers. It includes a full, easy-to-follow assessment instruction manual so staff can begin assessments without additional training.
• Can this support reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010?
  Yes, the assessment provides a documented, evidence-based process that can support an employer's case for reasonable adjustments. The pack also includes Access to Work information to help signpost eligible employees to further government support.
• Is this pack suitable for adult employees rather than school pupils?
  Yes, this Workplace Edition is designed specifically for adult, employment-based assessment, with employer and employee-facing materials rather than school-facing ones. A separate School Edition is available for use with pupils.
• How many employees can be assessed with one pack?
  The pack can be used to assess an unlimited number of employees over time, since the assessment sheets and posters are photocopiable and the overlays and manual are reusable. It is designed as a lasting organisational resource rather than a single-use kit.