Dyslexia and technology

Why assistive technology benefits everyone

Making adaptive tech a part of all tech will make accessibility a breeze, writes Myles Pilling

During this time of Covid, we have had to adapt our teaching methods and practices from face to face to online methods. I recently connected with a parent with a teenage son who has dyslexia and had to conduct an online assessment. The video meeting was done via video and sharing of screens. I was surprised to find that we could share my mobile device screen with him. He was also on a mobile device, so he could type in real time into a word processor. We then looked at ways to help his spelling using a built-in assistive technology keyboard app. Mobile devices can be shared on video conferencing software. It’s not always 100% reliable but what is clear is that you can work collaboratively over the internet even over a distance. I regularly use tools that enable me to connect effectively over the internet to help people.

Interactive tools

For instance, some tutors use Assistive Tech to remotely connect with the user’s computer. In these times of remote learning, having more interactive tools is helpful to dyslexic

“Are you making the most of all the tools in your virtual toolbox?”

learners but AT can be used to collaborate on joint peer to peer projects. The tools are out there for this to take place. Are you making the most of all the tools in your virtual toolbox? Are you taking time to look at what would be useful to help pupils learn? Obviously, talking over machines has a risk factor and should only be allowed for professionals such as teachers and tutors known to the pupil. Sharing screens is a lot easier from an e-safety point of view using software that has good protection from outside interruption by unwanted guests.

“For some, a more complex need is likely to require a more specialist solution.”

We need to make more creative use of what we have already. Maybe use a second video camera to show practical activities in real-time. Chunk the presentations so that it is not too long. The video conference medium really works best on breaking up content into bite-size bits. Ensure that your materials are accessible to all, different formats, large text, mp3 or closed caption. The latter can be more tricky to apply but some video conferencing packages have it built in. Use cloud-based resources that provide interactive work both on computer and off computer.

Assistive technology products can enable the user to correct spelling, improve accuracy with word prediction, and have feedback through text to speech. These recording tools are effective and useful. Through the use of Artificial Intelligence, they are getting more fluid and enabling pupils and students to achieve more and be more efficient as these tools are integrated into the software you use. Having built-in tools bypasses the need for lengthier processes, such as combining different software to complete a task. They are intuitive, fast and effective in their tasks and are now being built into the platforms themselves making them even more accessible. All

About the author

Myles Pilling is a Specialist SEND ICT-AT Consultant working in the area of education and the community.

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the major operating systems are introducing them and this is good news for the dyslexic learner.

Another trend is the integration of assistive technology into mainstream software that in schools and the workplace. This will enable people to overcome barriers such as literacy and stigma attached to having a special need. These tools are basic but powerful.

So what about specialised software?

In this time of constrained and tight budgets, is specialised software worth the money? I say it is. In any Assistive Technology solution, there needs to be a matching of the tech to the individual’s need; one size does not fit all. Even two people with the same disability will not have the same requirements for technology. So for some, a more complex need is likely to require a more specialist solution. In other words, the free stuff can only take you so far.

To gain a rounded picture of what is required to help the dyslexic learner and for that matter, all learners, are the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). It is much easier to build in assistive technology into websites at the start of a project than to try to introduce assistive functions later. The same is true of all organisations and educational settings. Introduce the assistive technology into all your teaching and learning at the outset and it will help not only the dyslexic learner, but the whole school! UDL is a much talked about topic after the recent Edtech Strategy in the UK. Suppliers and producers have been encouraged to incorporate these principles into their products so that features such as text to speech (read back) and speech to text (speech input) can be provided as a standard. Text to speech is now almost always featured, and speech to text is also present in some of the major players.

If we make Assistive Technology essential in our thinking, we are not only benefiting the dyslexic learner and disabled people generally, it also gives access to us all which I personally think is a good thing!