Dyslexia Hub
A Practical & Accessible Dyslexia Resource
Assistive Technology
We are fortunate to be teaching students during a time where a plethora of assistive technology for dyslexic students exist. Every day examples are iPhones, iPads & computers.
The software supports for spelling, writing, speech-to-text, reading/phonics, and reading comprehension are endless. Below are some of the best options for assistive technology for dyslexic students according to The International Dyslexic Association, Yale University, University of Michigan, Reading Rockets, Dyscalculia.org, and Wired. There is no "one fits all" solution, students are encouraged to find what works best for them.
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OF GREAT IMPORTANCE students with dyslexia should be provided with a personal Chromebook, or PC, headphones; and ideally a smart phone or tablet. As well as a quiet room to complete work as required, especially tests and examinations. Oral examinations, or allowing students to verbalize their thinking is also ideal.
Reading
Text-to-Speech
Voice Dream Reader
https://www.voicedream.com/
Voice Dream Reader scores high marks from parents, students and readers alike. “It’s like a Kindle app for your mobile device." It provides users a myriad of options to listen to a variety of texts.
The Learning Alley
https://learningally.org/
Providing a library of more than 80,000 audiobooks. Of interest, this website also offers professional development opportunities.
Natural Reader
https://www.naturalreaders.com/
A powerful text-to-speech that turns PDFs, web pages, e-books, and even printed material into spoken word. Available for both Mac and PCs.
Book Share
www.bookshare.org
Bookshare® is an ebook library that makes reading easier. The library has 1,263,266 titles and is the most extensive collection of accessible ebooks in the world.
ReachDeck
https://www.texthelp.com/
ReachDeck is a web page navigation software available for most versions of Windows that is designed to help those with dyslexia and second-language learners browse the internet.
Speechify
https://speechify.com/
Speechify is a free app (they also offer in-app purchases). You can scan a book, import a PDF, download from Google Drive, and sync across all your devices. it is a very popular app among the dyslexic community.
Built-In Dictation Technology
Free and already installed on smart devices, digital tablets, Chromebooks and PCs. Often the speech options is turned off. by default; turn on speech to text options in settings.
Digital Scanning Pens
Also called reading pens, these tools use recognition software to capture text and send it to your computer or mobile device. Use it as a highlighter to scan written material and then read or manipulate it digitally. Ideally pens will read the text out loud as you’re scanning.
Read and Write Gold
https://www.texthelp.com/products/read-and-write-education/
Read & Write Gold is computer program that helps students with dyslexia by reading electronic text from e-books, websites, and documents created in word-processing programs. It also helps writing by providing predictive spelling, word choice, dictionary, and thesaurus features.
Writing
Speech-to-Text
Dragon Speech to Text
Dragon has an array of speech to text software that assists learners and professionals with powerful dictation solutions.
Read and Write Gold
https://www.texthelp.com/products/read-and-write-education/
Read & Write Gold is computer program that helps students with dyslexia by reading electronic text from e-books, websites, and documents created in word-processing programs. It also helps writing by providing predictive spelling, word choice, dictionary, and thesaurus features.
Speechify, Write!
https://speechify.com/
The Speechify Write! tool is an app that can assist users with speech-to-text technology. There are a variety of neat tools like spellcheck, different fonts/colours, and great portability.
Co:Writer
https://cowriter.com/
A writing tool for people with dyslexia, or others who have trouble with writing. User can build a library of commonly utilized words. The technology recognizes, and corrects phonetic misspellings.
Google Docs
Free speech to text technology.
WordQ is an easy to use speech-to-text software. The creators goal was to, provide "greater independence and confidence" to children with learning differences (e.g., dyslexia) or physical disabilities.
Otter
https://otter.ai/
Otter is more geared towards the business side of things, but they do have significant speech to text advantages for students and educational faculties. It can automatically take notes from lectures, during class or students meetings then organizing and highlighting important text in an optimal way for learners. There are a myriad of other A.I features that optimize student learning through speech-to-text technology.
Cockatoo
https://www.cockatoo.com/
Cockatoo is innovative in its ability to convert a substantial amount of audio and video recordings to text.
Built-In Dictation Technology
Free and already installed on smart devices, digital tablets, Chromebooks and PCs. Often the speech options is turned off. by default; turn on speech to text options in settings.
Math
*Not all dyslexic students struggle with math, but 30 - 70% also have dyscalculia*
Calculator
it may seem like a simple, or rudimentary, assistive tool but the Journal for Special Education Research found that calculators equalized classroom for children with dyslexia. According to the Dyslexic Advantage Team, "A calculator allows dyscalculic students to access higher levels of math problem solving. Students must still recognize the correct approaches to solving problems and follow appropriate steps to arrive at final answers. Using a free-standing calculator or calculator on a phone is a life skill for this student."
Microsoft Math Solver
App
This is a free app that can assist children in their understanding by providing step-by-step instructions on how to solve problems that are stumping them. The child can take a picture, upload the problem and this assistive tech with provide detailed instructions.
Mod Math
App
This product was inspired by a child who had dyxcalculia and dyslexia. There is no dictation feature, but the program provides virtual graph paper, and after students have typed in the math problems they can use a touchscreen to solve math problems without using a pencil.
Math Learning Centre
App
A collection of supportive apps for children in JK to grade 5.
The Number Race
http://www.thenumberrace.com/nr/home.php
Fast paced math game created with dyslexic users in mind. This is a fun computer game for children aged 4 - 8, based on scientifically proven research.
The Number Catcher
http://www.thenumbercatcher.com/nc/home.php
Much like The Number Race, this is a fast paced math game for children aged 5 - 10.
Toy Theatre
https://toytheater.com/category/math-games/
A website with a collection of virtual math manipulative covering a wide range of curriculum expectations.
Shape Math
www.shapemath.com
A website featuring a revolutionary way to teach and understand math. Designed by a dyslexic with dyscalculia and endorsed by Dyscalculia.org.
Math Playground
https://www.mathplayground.com/
Website with a variety of visual math games to assist all learners, fun way to practise math skills. Created by a fellow educator.
Educational Games/Apps
Small Running Title
Toontastic
App
This free app allows children to create cartoons as a way to showcase their learning. Innovative way allowing students to showcase their learning.
Sound Literacy
App
This app has been awarded one of the best apps for teaching children with "special needs" multiple years in a row. It breaks down the components of literacy in a fun and engaging way for children with dyslexia.
Letter Find
App
An interactive app that teaches children letter awareness.
Starfall
www.starfall.com
Starfall was created by a doctor who happens to also be dyslexic. These games are interactive, multi sensory and engaging so children have fun while learning to read. There is also a Starfall app. Ideal for children from JK through grade 5.
Spelling City
www.spellingcity.com
Spelling City offers more than 40 interactive games geared towards students with dyslexia. Children can build their vocabulary retention, spelling prowess and reading comprehension.
Word Wit
App
This app is designed for middle school students or higher. Through interactive activities users can familiarize themselves with frequently confused or misspelled words.
Lexercise
www.lexercise.com
Lexercise is a website featuring a variety of games based on structured literacy, the gold standard when is comes to teaching dyslexic students (all students really) how to read.
Word Shark
https://www.wordshark.co.uk/
Wood Shark is a UK based website that has won a number of accolades from Psychologists, parents and teachers. These interactive website has based all activities on structured literacy, offering engaging activities for students from ages 5 - 12+.
Dyslexia Games
www.dyslexiagames.com
DyslexiaGames.com is a great resources for ordering in class or at home puzzles, games and other interactive engaging materials aimed at assisting dyslexic learners gain reading, writing and spelling skills through multimodal activities. There is also an option to print workbooks and sheets.