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Software solutions
There are many different software solutions available to make use of a computer easier and more tailored to you. Below are some of the options.
- Mind Mapping
- Font Choices and Formatting Text
- Word Prediction
- Windows Display Options
- Scanning with optical character recognition (OCR)
- Software Dictionaries
- Voice Recognition
- Text to Speech Software
- Word-processors offering additional support
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Mind Mapping
Screen Shot of the mind map created to help write this part of the software.
By using mind maps you can outline any project within a graphic form. By using different colours and shapes, you can start to build up a project plan which you can then expand upon or work within each module in turn.
Mind maps can be useful for everyone. A good example is the picture above. It is common for programmers to create flow charts of mind maps to help modulate the software. Everything within this website was originally planned out on a mind map!
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Font Choices and Formatting Text
Screen shot of text in Microsoft Word.
If you have a colour screen then you can choose the colours you like best and find most helpful for background and for the letters themselves. Many people find this can make a big difference.
Larger letters can prove helpful, even when vision is not a problem. Letter size can be varied by changing the "font" size or, in some word processors, by using a "zoom" facility.
It may even be that the differences in appearance between one "font" or type style and another can be important. Try some alternatives. Compare a serif font like 'Times New Roman' with a non-serif font like 'Arial'. A non-proportional font like 'Courier' makes the printed length of a word reflect the number of letters in it.
For example, compare:
Times New Roman - we/ill
Courier New - we/ill
For some people double (or 1.5) line spacing can also help a lot. (Remember you can always put the whole document back to single line spacing before you print it).
Your manual, or on-screen help, should help you find out how to try these ideas.
More Information
- Factsheet on Dyslexia and Computing (PDF 51KB)
- Skillsheet on Choosing your Preferred Colours in Windows (PDF 334KB)
Word Prediction
Co:Writer Word Prediction software.
After typing the first few letters of a word, predictive software gives a number of words starting with those letters. To complete the word, the user simply selects one of the words offered. For longer words this can offer speed improvements. Word prediction vocabulary can be personalised and some word prediction packages offer phonetic spelling support.
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Windows Display Options
Screen Shot of the Windows XP Display Properties.
Many people with reading and writing difficulties can see some colour combinations better than others. Colour options are available in practically all modern programs, or can be achieved by basic approaches. Windows has a wide range of pre-defined colour schemes to try.
More Information
- Factsheet on Dyslexia and Computing (PDF 51KB)
- Skillsheet on Choosing your Preferred Colours in Windows (PDF 334KB)
Scanning with optical character recognition (OCR)
A Scanner.
A scanner can be used with Optical Character Recognition software to convert paper print documents into text files for adjustment of font style, size, spacing etc and for use with speech feedback.
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Software Dictionaries
Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus.
Many dictionaries are also available in software form. They can be excellent resources when using a computer to write. A standard spell checker will only tell you if the word you have written is spelt correctly, it will not tell you the meaning of the word, or how it can be used in context. Similarly, a thesaurus is also very useful to many people with reading and writing difficulties.
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Voice Recognition
Dragon Naturally Speaking Version 8.
This is a realistic option for those who have good speaking voices. The systems take time to "train" to recognise the speaker, but with practice it is possible to work at the speed of a good typist. More recently these systems have become much more affordable - a full list of options is described in our factsheet "Dyslexia and Voice Recognition Software".
More Information
- Factsheet on Dyslexia and Computing (PDF 51KB)
- Factsheet on Dyslexia and Voice Recognition Software (PDF 46KB)
Text to Speech Software
TextHelp Read and Write.
Using additional software it is possible to get your text read back to you. This may reveal an error that would otherwise be missed as well as provide support to weak readers.
While it is possible to buy specialist software that adds speech support to a standard software package, freely available software, such as Readplease 2003 www.readplease.com, and Natural Voice Reader www.naturalreaders.com can also be downloaded from the internet for free. These provide an additional window into which text can be copy and pasted into from any source, then read back by the software.
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Word-processors offering additional support
Write:Outloud, Clicker 5 and Wordbar.
Some Word processors offer additional support. This may be in the form of speech output, symbol/ graphical support or wordbank support:
Speech Output
Speech Output alongside all the other features associated with standard word-processing, means that the user can hear what they have typed, or use speech to support their reading of text on the screen.
Graphical and Symbol Support
Some Word processors provide graphical, or symbol support alongside text to speech. This means that a graphic is associated with words as they appear on the screen, and so give additional visual support to those struggling with reading. Two examples of software that have this feature are Writing with Symbols 2000 and Clicker 5.
Wordbanks
Many software packages are available that provide an on-screen wordbank that can be used to help with difficult to spell or read words. Words can be quickly and easily added to a grid or lists of words and phrases that can be speech supported. Some software can also provide pictorial support in a word bank.