8.1 Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive Technology (AT) can level the academic playing field for students with dyslexia or SpLDs. AT allows students with dyslexia or SpLDs to work unobtrusively alongside their peer group to reach their potential, and so encourages inclusivity.

AT can come in many forms. Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of methods to support learners with dyslexia and other learning difficulties:

• audiobooks
• text-to-speech
• speech-to-text facilities
• homophone spellcheckers
• creating MP3 recordings from documents
• isolating screen rulers with magnification
• screen light colour adjustments
• audio notetaking and lesson/lecture recording facilities can capture full recordings of lessons, allowing learners to focus on understanding rather than notetaking, to check details afterwards and re-cap lectures at the end
• mind mapping software can help to plan the content of an assignment, take notes, revise, or plan a project, and some mind mapping software can even transfer a mind map into a sequential word document
• changing computer fonts and colours, changing the background colour of text on the computer or using a transparent coloured overlay and a reading ruler or a guide, such as a ruler or pencil. This can reduce glare and consequently support faster reading speeds.