People with Specific Learning Disorders are one of the groups that can benefit from the growth of new technologies. How can digital tools help them overcome their everyday challenges?
Specific adaptations
Due to the development of new technologies, the number of adaptation tools for neurodivergent employees is continuously growing. Many of the programs used in everyday work protect their users from making mistakes. Certain of the skills that are difficult for people with Dys to gain, such as beautiful handwriting, become irrelevant in the job market.
At the same time, not all of commonly used digital tools are well-adapted for neurodiverse people and use inclusive layouts. Moreover, blue light from screens contributes to exhaustion and sleep disturbances, especially troublesome for people with ADHD. That is why we still need special digital tools, catered to neurodiverse employees.
Writing support
Spelling is one of the most common sources of problems for people with dyslexia. Spell-checkers can be a huge help not only for them but also for those with dyspraxia, dysortographia, or even ADHD. They take many forms, from simple checking functions in programs such as MS Word to special plugins such as LanguageTool or Grammarly.
Nowadays, people rarely write anything without help from some kind of spell-checking or auto-filling function. The important thing is to choose the right program for your individual needs, and properly adjust the settings. A bad spell-checker can cause confusion by underlining the words that are correct or proposing unreasonable changes. It is also important to consider the context. When the purpose of writing is to learn, i.e. during a language class, certain people find the manual work of correcting mistakes without support more effective.
Reading support
Reading is a very individual process, which is why it is important for reading support tools to be customisable. Some tools can adjust the brightness and colour of the screen, impact the size, or even and spacing of the text. Some have special options that help people with Dys not to get distracted and lost.
Screen readers are another helpful tool, originally developed for people with difficulty seeing. People with SLDs can use them selectively, for example, to read long articles. Many people find the sound of automatic readers monotonous but, as the technology develops, the generated voices become increasingly pleasant to listen to.
If you want more information about adaptation tools, we have good news for you! In the following months, we will publish an online course, including a whole module about them. Be sure not to miss it by visiting our website regularly or observing the social media profiles of our project partners.
