A coloured Overlay is a flexible, tinted plastic Sheet that sits over text to reduce glare and help the eye track along the page. It is one of the simplest and most affordable tools for supporting readers with visual stress, also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, whether they are in a school classroom or reading at home. This overlay is available as a mixed set of 8 colours or in single colours, with tints chosen to match The Dyslexia Shop range of tinted exercise books and paper.

For many readers, black text on bright white paper can appear to glare, blur, swim or move. Reading through a coloured tint lowers that harsh contrast, which can make letters sit still and feel calmer on the page.

For schools and SENCOs

• Fits existing SEND provision. Overlays slot neatly into support under the SEND Code of Practice and can be named in a pupil's EHCP or individual support plan as part of their normal way of working.
• Suits primary and secondary. Useful across Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 and post-16, and easy to share, replace and store.
• Joins up your visual stress support. The colour-matched tints let a pupil carry the same shade across reading rulers, coloured overlays and tinted exercise books.

For parents and children

• Calmer reading at home. A single comfortable tint can take the strain out of homework, reading practice and bedtime stories.
• Try before you settle. The set of 8 lets your child test colours at home and keep the one that feels easiest on their eyes.
• Builds reading confidence. Reducing glare and keeping the eye on the line can help a reluctant reader stay with a page for longer.
• Easy to carry. Light and flexible, it tucks into a book bag or doubles as a bookmark.

Visual stress can occur on its own or alongside dyslexia, and reducing the black-and-white contrast is a recognised, low-cost first step many schools and families try. The correct tint is highly individual, which is why a mixed set is the practical way to find the right colour rather than guessing.

If you are not sure where to start, the mixed set of 8 is the easiest place to begin, and you can reorder single colours once your pupil or child has found their shade. Schools can order on a 30-day credit account, and our team is happy to help you build a fuller visual stress package with coloured overlays and tinted exercise books.

• Reduces visual stress: a transparent coloured tint lowers the harsh black-on-white contrast that can make text glare, blur or appear to move.
• Printed tracking line: guides the eye along the line being read, supporting fluency and reducing line-skipping.
• Mixed set or single colours: buy a set of 8 colours for trialling, or reorder single colours once a preferred shade is found.
• Colour-matched range: tints align with The Dyslexia Shop tinted exercise books and paper for consistent support across reading and writing.
• Discreet and portable: flexible plastic strip that fits a pencil case or book bag and can double as a bookmark.
• Age suitability: suitable from approximately age 5 (Year 1) through to adult.
• Pack contents: mixed set contains 8 reading rulers, one in each colour or single colours.

• Calms the page for visual stress. The coloured tint cuts glare so text stops blurring or moving for readers with Meares-Irlen Syndrome.
• Find the right colour first time. The mixed set of 8 lets a pupil or child trial tints and keep the one that feels easiest.
• Made to match your books. Colour-matched to our tinted exercise books, so the same comfortable shade carries across reading and writing.
• Classroom and homework ready. Flexible, portable and quick to use, with no training needed and nothing to set up.
• Trusted UK SEND specialist. Supplied by The Dyslexia Shop, with 30-day school credit accounts available.

What's in the Box

• 8 x coloure overlays, one in each colour (mixed set option) or singles
• 1 x reading overlay in the chosen colour or single colour option

Care and Cleaning

Wipe clean with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Store flat to keep the sheet from bending.

Delivery and Returns

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

Safety and Age Suitability

Suitable from approximately age 5 (Year 1) to adult. Intended for use under normal supervision in line with the child's age.

• Which colour should I choose?
  There is no single best colour, because the right tint is highly individual. The simplest approach is to trial several tints over the same passage of text and keep whichever feels easiest on the eyes. This is exactly why we offer a mixed set of 8 colours, with single colours available to reorder once a preferred shade is found.
• How do I use a reading ruler in the classroom?
  Pupils place the ruler over the line they are reading and slide it down the page as they go. A mixed set lets a teacher or SENCO screen a group quickly to find each pupil's preferred colour. Reading rulers fit easily into SEND provision and can be listed as part of a pupil's normal way of working.
• Can my child use a reading ruler at home?
  Yes. Reading rulers are ideal for homework, reading practice and everyday reading at home. Let your child try the different colours in the set and keep the one that makes the page feel calmest. It is light and flexible, so it tucks into a book bag or works as a bookmark.
• What age is a reading ruler suitable for?
  Reading rulers are suitable from around age 5, or Year 1, once a child can manage a thin strip over their reading, and they remain useful right through to adult readers. There is no upper age limit, and many older students and adults use them for revision and everyday reading.
• Can a reading ruler be used in exams?
  Exam use is decided by the candidate's exam centre in line with current JCQ regulations. Coloured overlays and reading rulers are commonly permitted as an access arrangement where the candidate has an established need and already uses them as their normal way of working. Always check with your exam centre, and see the JCQ access arrangements page for full guidance: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/
• Do these reading rulers match your tinted exercise books?
  Yes. The tints are chosen to match The Dyslexia Shop range of tinted exercise books and paper. This means a pupil or child can carry the same comfortable colour across their reading ruler, coloured overlays and exercise books, keeping their visual stress support consistent.