One important goal of web accessibility is to empower individuals with dyslexia. Many tools can assist dyslexics in navigating the complex online world, such as dyslexia-friendly fonts, advanced text settings, and text-to-speech software support that makes it easier to understand what’s on a webpage.
Keep reading to learn about the assistive technology that exists for individuals with dyslexia, as well as dyslexia’s impact on reading and comprehension, how assistive technology works, the importance of screen readers, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and much more.
Dyslexia’s Impact on Reading and Comprehension
When it comes to processing written text and patterns and establishing reading comprehension, dyslexics have a difficult time.
One reason is their lack of phonological awareness, which makes it challenging to replicate spoken language by verbalizing or processing it in the brain. As a result, they face challenges with everyday tasks like reading emails or TV channel menus, which can result in visual stress and diminished quality of life over time if left unchecked without accessibility features on websites and mobile applications.
Other areas dyslexics may struggle with include note-taking, time management, memorization, and following instructions.
With dyslexics, it’s not uncommon to see notes that are scattered and not on point. One reason is that similar-sounding words can often stump dyslexics due to the way they process auditory information at a slower pace. The same applies to math, where dyslexics can have difficulty articulating series or sequences of steps to solve mathematical problems.
Another area of focus for dyslexics is time management. With a lack of solid working memory at times, it may be difficult to be flexible and adjust schedules as needed, which could occasionally result in tardiness for dyslexic students and employees.
Similarly, dyslexics often struggle with memorization, as it requires recalling spoken or written information. There’s also difficulty in locking in on key details or understanding verbal instructions for the first time, which can create struggles in the workplace, particularly without accessibility options like text-to-speech tools on websites and mobile applications.
Fortunately, there are many dyslexic assistive technology tools and accessibility improvements dyslexics use every day, such as text-to-speech software, fonts with weighted bottoms and wider letter spacing, compatibility with assistive technology tools like screen readers, and other best practices.
Assistive Technology for Dyslexia
Luckily, there’s no shortage of assistive technology for people with dyslexia. Over the past decade, one of the most innovative assistive technology tools for dyslexics has been the Microsoft Immersive Reader. Integrated with various Microsoft products like Outlook, it offers dyslexic-friendly features such as adjustable text spacing, allowing dyslexics to configure spacing between different characters for easier reading.
Microsoft is also known for its Learning Tools for Education program, offering enhanced tools in a classroom setting, such as Focus Mode. Even its browser, Edge, offers dyslexia-friendly features, adhering to WCAG guidelines effectively.
Screen Readers for Dyslexics
Screen readers are invaluable for people with dyslexia to understand written content. Here are three reasons why screen readers work for people with dyslexia:
- Improves Processing: Individuals with dyslexia prefer to listen to written content rather than visually process it, thanks to their phonological processing difficulties. For them, it’s much easier to listen to text read out loud than to read it on screen.
- Customization: One of the best things about screen readers is the customization options that allow people with dyslexia to modify different settings, such as speech rate, pronunciation rules, word highlighting, and other output forms, to retain information better. Another area they could customize is font and text. Many dyslexic-friendly fonts like OpenDyslexic can adjust the sizing line height.
- Sensory Modalities: One of the best things about screen readers is that they can help with multimodal learning, which allows them to read using other methods such as auditory and kinesthetic. Applying different senses will help improve a dyslexic individual’s knowledge and develop their phonological awareness and pattern designation skills. Screen readers perform an exceptional job of assisting people with dyslexia to understand written content better.
A Word on OpenDyslexic
OpenDyslexic is one of the more popular dyslexic-themed fonts available. It is distinguished by weighted bottoms (better baseline anchoring), unique letter shapes, and increased letter spacing, making it more accessible for dyslexic individuals to understand the differences between words.
Its Baseline and x-height also provide more uniformity than typical fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica. Certain letters, such as ‘a’ and ‘e,’ have larger openings, which makes it easier for people with dyslexia to discern between similar-looking letters.
What Are Other Dyslexia Friendly Fonts?
While OpenDyslexic is an open-source font, another font for individuals with dyslexia worth considering is Dyslexie. Like OpenDyslexic, Dyslexie optimizes character bottoms with wider letter spacing to make it easier for dyslexics to recognize each letter and word.
When it comes to deciding which one is better, it all depends on individual preferences. Not all dyslexics react to fonts the same way. It’s important to note that the main difference between them is that OpenDyslexic is an open-source font readily available across various websites and apps.
If OpenDyslexic and Dyslexie are not available, some of the more readable fonts include Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Times New Roman, and Georgia. All do a decent job, with some better for on-screen reading than printed documents. For example, Verdana has long been known for being highly readable on screens thanks to its proportions, whereas Times New Roman is better for printed documents due to its traditional serif style.
Be sure to fully understand the differences between serif and sans-serif as you embark on your accessibility adventure. Sans-serif fonts are cleaner, whereas serif fonts do a better job of guiding the eye.
Selecting and Using Screen Readers for Dyslexia
Choosing the right screen reader for dyslexia is one of the most important things you can do. They convert text into synthesized speech or several other outputs.
When choosing the right screen reader, you should assess different criteria, such as customization options, interface, and compatibility with websites, mobile apps, operating systems, and other applications.
Let’s delve into each of our recommended criteria for selecting and using screen readers for dyslexia:
Customization
Dyslexics should be able to select from various dyslexic-friendly font options, such as OpenDyslexic and Lexie Readable. These fonts have a unique construction tailored towards people with dyslexia, such as weighted bottoms to help their eyes navigate better. Pay attention to font size and style as well. Dyslexics should also be able to space letters and set line heights to make it easier to distinguish between words.
Text-to-Speech Settings
One of the better controls for screen readers with dyslexia is text-to-speech settings. Ensure the speech rate is adjustable with the option to control the pitch. Not all these readers respond to the same voice the same way, so offering speech rate, pitch, and volume options is essential.
Compatibility
Make sure that your screen readers are compatible with the operating system your business or organization uses. In addition, always ensure that you download the latest versions of the operating systems you’re using to stay up to date on fixes.
When it comes to standalone applications, the more well-known screen readers include JAWS (Job Access With Speech) and NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access). Both JAWS and NVDA work across different platforms, such as Windows and iOS, to enhance dyslexic setups with customizable speech settings, improved control navigation, and even Braille displays that allow the visually impaired to read using their fingers.
One of the more unheralded benefits of JAWS and NVDA is their impact on the education and employment industries. These solutions have enabled individuals with visual disabilities to enjoy full and equal participation in the workforce, with many of their job-related tasks made easier with the help of screen readers.
Additionally, they play an important role in education. JAWS and NVDA do an exceptional job of converting textbooks and other resources to an accessible format, allowing the visually impaired to access scholarships, pursue degrees, and, ultimately, acquire the jobs they want.
Don’t forget about social inclusion. Making software accessible to visually-impaired individuals allows them to do everything sighted individuals can do, such as joining the latest social network and receiving their news through trusted sources. They can also access all the interactions that occur on forums, message boards, and online communities.
These formats are also compatible with other assistive technologies like magnifiers and alternative input devices for the mobility-impaired.
How Can Accessibly Help?
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