◄Previous: 3.2 Assistive technology for people with dyslexia – auxiliary aids

# 3.2.1 Technology

While assistive technology and the advent of AI can help reduce some barriers faced by dyslexic people, they are not a complete solution. For instance, using grammar check tools doesn’t help if you don’t know the correct word to use.

## Author’s experience

I once wrote ‘pubic’ instead of ‘public’ in an important document. Both are grammatically correct words, but ‘pubic’ was definitely not what I intended in a paper about Indigenous peoples’ rights to preserve their culture.

Having a colleague or family member proofread your work is always a good practice.

The ‘dictate’ function in Microsoft 365, like many other software options, is a convenient way to quickly capture your thoughts, create drafts, and author content using your voice.

## Author’s experience

Pronunciation is not my strong suit, so this wasn’t for me. I get frustrated and end up shouting at the screen. How am I supposed to know that something ends with a ‘t’ and should be pronounced accordingly? I honestly gave up. But give it a try, as it might work for you!

When using any type of technology, it’s important to have someone who can mentor you on how to use it effectively.

## Author’s experience

It’s important for me that it’s not a five minute whistle-stop tour. I always ask them to go slowly and take notes so I can refer to them later. Step-by-step guides, infographics and mind maps are great for this. Alternatively, ask for the session to be recorded.

The range of mobile technological support devices available to adults with dyslexia has been highlighted by many scholars (Reid, Strnadová and Cumming, 2013). However, adults with dyslexia still report frequent everyday problems with prospective memory, even when using tools and techniques to assist memory (Smith-Spark, Zięcik and Sterling, 2017; Smith-Spark, Gordon and Jansari, 2022). Keep in mind that, while technology can help, it takes time to get comfortable with it and truly see its benefits.

## Activity 3 Duties and reasonable adjustments

Allow about 5 minutes

Match the job and duties performed by a person with dyslexia to some potential reasonable adjustments.

The employer agrees to incorporate visual barriers like low partitions, and acoustic panels that absorb sound; and to divide the office into zones based on noise levels

Junior School Administrator – working in an open plan office

The employer agrees to purchase a printer for the employee’s use

University Registrar – in charge of data entry

The employer agrees to install screen-reading software, and provide templates with clear instructions

Quality Assurance Officer – works with online materials and information

The employer agrees to modify instructions or reference manuals, for example, providing them in audio format and infographics

Nightclub doorman – needs to read a bundle of policies (health and safety, emergency action plan, etc.)

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

1. The employer agrees to incorporate visual barriers like low partitions, and acoustic panels that absorb sound; and to divide the office into zones based on noise levels

2. The employer agrees to purchase a printer for the employee’s use

3. The employer agrees to install screen-reading software, and provide templates with clear instructions

4. The employer agrees to modify instructions or reference manuals, for example, providing them in audio format and infographics

1. 1

   Junior School Administrator – working in an open plan office

2. 2

   University Registrar – in charge of data entry

3. 3

   Quality Assurance Officer – works with online materials and information

4. 4

   Nightclub doorman – needs to read a bundle of policies (health and safety, emergency action plan, etc.)

The correct answers are:

- 1 =
- 2 =
- 3 =
- 4 =

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