Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Hey there! Welcome to Accessibility Minute, your weekly look at Assistive Technology, those clever tools and devices designed to help people who have difficulties with vision, mobility, hearing, or other special needs!
There are many tools and apps available to help individuals with dyslexia, such as the Easy Dyslexia Aid app. The Easy Dyslexia Aid app helps users with spelling and literacy with the aid of the OpenDyslexic font and color overlays.
According to its description on the App Store:
“Dyslexia is primarily associated with trouble reading. But it can also affect writing, spelling, and even speaking. Kids with dysgraphia may struggle with handwriting, organizing their thoughts on paper, or both of these activities. Easy Dyslexia Aid can support both of these conditions and serves as an extremely useful companion both inside and outside the classroom.”
When users open the app, they’ll see a clear blue user-friendly interface. The instruction “Touch mic and talk” is displayed above a circular mic symbol. On touching the symbol, you’re asked to speak. By pressing done, the app will process what has been said and proceed to produce your input in the OpenDyslexic font.
If you are unfamiliar with the OpenDyslexic font, it was created using heavy weighted bottoms to indicate direction and to reinforce the line of the text. This “aids in recognizing the correct letter and sometimes helps to keep the brain from rotating them around.”
Other features include:
- The OpenDyslexic font is displayed in a choice of 8 color overlays to help improve readability
- High-quality voice synthesis technology
- No ads or in-app purchases
- Supports multiple languages
- Ability to look up words via the device dictionary
- Great for individuals of all ages!
Check it out on the App Store to learn more!
For more information, to read our blog, or to drop us a line, visit EasterSealsTech.com.
I’d like to take a moment to thank InTRAC, the Indiana Telephone Relay Access Corporation for sponsoring our transcript today. You can find out more about InTRAC at relayindiana.com.
That was your Accessibility Minute for this week! I’m Laura Medcalf with the INDATA Project at Easterseals Crossroads, in Indiana.