Dyslexie, a Typeface Designed for People with Dyslexia

Assistive Technology Products, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, INDATA Projects No Responses »
Aug 162011

Image from www.theletter.co.uk

For people with Dyslexia, reading text can be difficult because many letters are quite similar. For most people reading is fluid, so it’s hard to imagine feeling a different way. Dyslexics rotate and exchange the letters. For example, it’s common to switch the letters: b, q, p, and d.

When he was a university student in 2008, a dyslexic designer from the Netherlands, Christian Boer, created a typeface, Dyslexie, that improves the reading experience for people with Dyslexia. The goal of this project was to create a font that resulted in less reading erros. Initial research shows that this typeface works!. He used his experience to create typography and used eight other people with Dyslexia to refine the typeface. Extensive research and work went into this project. Boer claims to have worked on the letter “a” for 12 hours!

So, what makes this typeface different? Traditional typefaces are uniform; Boer created subtle differences, so it was easier to distinguish letters. The main change is the visual “weight” added to the bottom of the letters. This keeps the letters pinned to the baseline which makes it easier to read because people with Dyslexia sometimes move letters around in their mind. Boer also lengthed letters like “h,” increased the openings of letters like “e” and tipped straight letters like “j.” Dyslexie has bold punctuations and capital letters at the beginning and end of sentences so the text won’t read as a one long sentence. All of these changes make the text easier to distinguish from one another in the mind of a person with Dyslexia.

Boer says “Dyslexie is not a cure, but I see the font as something like a wheelchair.”

Posted by Lauren at 9:55 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Monday Tech Tip:

Assistive Technology Products, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, INDATA Videos No Responses »
Aug 152011

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Posted by Lauren at 10:02 am Tagged with: , ,

Friday Podcast

Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA Podcasts, Wade Wingler No Responses »
Aug 122011

Information from the INDATA Project is now available via podcast! Every Friday, the INDATA Project will release two podcasts featuring new assistive technology projects. The podcasts are available for viewing on the INDATA Project website and on iTunes. The “Assistive Technology Update” is a fast-paced weekly update for AT professionals and enthusiasts. The “Accessibility Minute” is designed for all listeners to provide assistive technology tips and tricks.

AT Update: Mongolia’s Assistive Technology Pioneers, She paints with her eyes, Free screen reader show-down, wheel chairs in the woods

Accessibility Minute: Video phones and web cams for American Sign Language

If you have trouble viewing these podcasts, please visit the INDATA website.

Posted by Lauren at 9:58 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Guest Blogger: Perspective from a High School Student with Dyslexia

Asstive Technology Stories, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA 4 Responses »
Aug 112011

I am a high school student going into my sophomore year. I was diagnosed with dyslexia in 3rd grade. As a young kid I was always interested in learning new things. Because I had trouble reading my parents and grandparents would read to me for hours. I loved listening and learning about things that I would not have been able to read on my own, but could understand when someone read it too me. Spelling was also a challenge for me so in 3rd grade I got my first assistive technology devices, the Alpha Smart. The built in spell check feature helped me to express my thoughts and allowed the teacher to understand what I was writing.

Reading has always been and continues to be a challenge for me. I read much more slowly than my peers and stumble over words. In addition to reading more slowly than my classmates I also cannot comprehend the text well when reading on my own. As a result I started to use RFB&D in 5th grade. I started reading my novels and textbooks with RFB&D. When reading with RFB&D I am able to understand what I am reading and read more quickly. I like RFB&D much better than reading and started looking for other assistive technology to help me read and write.

In 6th grade I was introduced to Kurzweil which opened new doors for me. With Kurzweil I was able to read any document I had electronically and it gave me a lot more independence. I started learning about the features of Kurzweil and started using it more and more.

In 8th grade I started to use Kurzweil to take tests and do in class work with Kurzweil. I found Kurzweil to be an indispensible tool that allowed me show my knowledge and not be impeded by my reading trouble.

Soon after I started using Kurzweil I found that my school had very limited technology resources and were unfamiliar with Kurzweil. Luckily I found Brian Friedlander who taught me about Kurzweil many features. Dr. Friedlander continues to help me with assistive technology.

Currently I use Kurzweil, Bookshare and Apps for iPod Touch and iPad to help me. In class I sometimes get class work via emails from teachers, but more often I scan the worksheets myself during class.

My school has been trying to get me to stop using Kurzweil because they are unwilling to email me class work, and leaving class to scan takes too much class time. This year I will have to leave class and scan the documents myself during class time in order to have the document in an accessible format. I use Kurzweil to complete tests, quizzes, worksheets and homework.
Bookshare is another assistive technology software that I use. I read my novels and textbooks on my computer or with the Read2Go app on my iPod Touch. Without Bookshare I would not be able to comprehend books up to my ability.

Because assistive technology has helped me so much this year I decided to help others learn about assistive technology. I started a blog that has information about assistive technology devices and software. I update the blog once a day with a new post about assistive technology. The address of my blog is bdmtech.blogspot.com. In addition to the blog I started a reading group for kids with learning disabilities. The group meets once a week and we share ideas and tips about technology that could help the other members. As part of the reading group I have helped each member sign up for Bookshare and download books to read. With the blog and reading group I hope to help people with disabilities learn about devices that can help them.

-Brian

Posted by Lauren at 9:57 am Tagged with: , , ,

Vibrating Alarm Clocks to Assist Hearing Impaired

Assistive Technology Products, INDATA, INDATA Projects No Responses »
Aug 102011

A vibrating alarm clock is a handy tool for people who are deaf or have hearing impairments. A traditional alarm clock may not be loud enough to wake people from a deep slumber, but an alarm clock that you can feel would do the trick!

Vibrating alarm clocks are small enough to fit under your pillow but powerful enough to gently shake the pillow and therefore wake you up. Vibrating alarm clocks are useful tools for people with hearing impairments. There are many different types of vibrating alarm clocks available. Today, I’ve highlighted a couple brands and given you a brief description of each.

Shake N Wake Vibrating Alarm Clock: The unique thing about this device is that it can be worn on your wrist like a watch. It’s comfortable so you can easily wear it while you sleep. Yet, the vibrations are still strong enough that the clock can be tucked under your pillow and will wake you in the morning.

Sonic Alert clocks and Sonic Boom vibrating alarm clocks: These vibrating alarm clocks are stylish and many different models are offered. Sonic Boom clocks will vibrate under your pillow, but also can be placed on your night stand. The clocks will still vibrate on the night stand and it should be loud enough to wake you. They also have the capability to make a loud alarm sound for people that may have some hearing. One model of a Sonic Boom clock, no doubt designed for young girls, is bright pink and shaped like a heart.

Many versions and models of clocks by Shake ‘n’ Wake and Sonic Alert are available at retail stores and online at website like Amazon. Sweet dreams!

Posted by Lauren at 10:21 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

TextSpeak Talking Keyboard assists with Communication

Assistive Technology Products, AT Basics, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, INDATA Projects No Responses »
Aug 092011

TextSpeak is an augmentative communication device that does not require a personal computer or buttons with pictures to operate. Many other augmentative communication devices need a computer or are made for younger children with programmable phrases that are represented by illustrations. The TextSpeak talking keyboard requires no computer connection and has no set up. This device is designed for people who are vocally impaired and have speech limitations. It also works well for people who may have just been released after an operation and need a new means of communications.

This intelligent speaker and keyboard combination creates speech anywhere with the touch of a finger. It has unlimited vocabulary because the user types their own words. However, the device can be programmed with 30 phrases and is available in both female and male voices. TextSpeak turns on instantly and is simple to use.

The device is lightweight and available in wired or wireless versions. TextSpeak is also available in different sizes for even more customization. You can purchase the medium size, a slightly bigger product with larger keys or a palm version that is much smaller. It does require batteries to operate and one set is included in the purchase.

Posted by Lauren at 9:50 am Tagged with: , , , ,
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