Reading is fantastic. It can take you on all kinds of journeys. However, some people with dyslexia and undiagnosed learning difficulties can struggle with reading and might even feel left out or left behind when it comes to reading in an educational setting or at home.
This is where a 'Reading Support Toolbox' comes in!
There are many tech solutions and devices that can make the reading experience for somebody with dyslexia more accessible. These are things that can be easily added to the reading experience and may allow readers to go forward with much more confidence, feeling supported and perhaps even foster a lifelong love of books and reading.
The first level of a reading support toolbox is low-tech support. These are tools that have little to no technology element. They’re also easy to implement in that they usually require very little training. Some provide on-the-page help, such as reading windows or motivational bookmarks. A reading window is simply a piece of plastic or cardboard with a slot cut in it that helps readers focus on one line at a time. Bookmarks can be used in similar ways – for example, covering up the words already read, to help readers focus and anticipate what’s coming next. A similar strategy is to have a reader use transparent index tabs to mark words that they’re struggling with, as this helps to identify what’s tricky and what isn’t.
Another low-tech device that could help readers stay focused is a fidget toy, as it can alleviate the anxiety and stress that can occur around reading. A Whisper Phone is also a great way to help readers focus on reading in noisy classroom environments. It’s essentially a hollow tube that is held like a phone, allowing readers to listen to what they’re saying and focus on speech sounds and, in turn, increase fluency. Reading slopes and thumb grips can also be helpful when it comes to allowing readers to stay comfortable and hold their books in a way that works for them.
Mid-tech supports are some of the handiest when it comes to creating a reading support toolbox, as they can actively bolster the reading experience and provide targeted assistance where a reader might need it. Mid-tech options often have a battery or a power source, and they’re commonly based on the idea of supplementing the act of reading with highlighting and audio feedback support.
Some of the most useful toolbox solutions can come in the form of C-Pen Reader 2. This device is a text scanner that’s rechargeable and portable, meaning that it can be used anywhere. It’s supportable without the need for Wi-Fi or any other technology. As the pen scans over the text on a page, the writing appears on the screen in the body of the pen, and each word is read aloud and highlighted, enabling the learners to read and listen at the same time. It’s also important to note that C-Pen Reader 2 users can listen to the words through the speaker on the pen or use headphones to keep the playback discreet – this is particularly helpful in helping students feel independent or if they don’t feel confident publicising their use of reading support.
Kindles, Audiobooks and eReaders can provide a similar form of support, although less targeted. Having the ability to switch back and forth between text and audio is a helpful option when getting into text-heavy books, but it’s important to remember that these devices aren’t distraction-free, which could lead to some readers becoming sidetracked. Some also need Wi-Fi connectivity to function, which can be difficult when reading on the go.
High-tech supports are support mechanisms that are implemented into high-tech devices and programmes. There are three big platforms that gave great accessibility tools and features: Microsoft, Google and Office 365. They’re designed to give the user a high level of personalisation when it comes to their reading experience onscreen, and offers them the ability to customise an interface that feels the most comfortable. Examples of this can include the options to change background screen colours, creating an on-screen reading window, screen-reading technology and high-contrast background options that can support low vision difficulties. High-tech support solutions often come with a hefty price tag too, so it’s important to see them as part of a toolkit, and not the pinnacle of making reading accessible for all – every level of the toolkit plays its part!
Another top tip to remember is to always ask about vision: checking if the text looks stable, isn’t blurry, and that readers who require glasses are wearing them can create the best reading foundations.
By putting together a reading support toolbox, you’re opening learning for readers who might otherwise struggle, and developing an environment where everybody can settle down and read if they’d like to. If you’re interested in fostering an inspirational love of reading, you can also get involved with our D.E.A.R. for Dyslexia campaign, where we celebrate reading and work towards equity of access to reading for all.