![]() ![]() Some Apps offer the opportunity to try out particular features provided by full versions of software. This may even encourage some users to try out assistive tools for the very first time. ![]() They may also offer facilities that can quickly capture visual and auditory material. Some Apps offer access and support with reading, writing and organisational tools. With all these choices now so readily available it is even more important that any selection of Apps considers the specific needs of the user, the task and the contexts in which these are to be used. Now they can access this on the small portable device they usually carry around with them. This has offered some individuals a chance to explore speech to text a function that was once only ever available on a computer. They also edit their text using the speech to text option (Speak). Some users have found this utility particularly useful. This is achieved simply by tapping the microphone icon on the lower left hand side of the keyboard. The latest models of iPads and iPhones also provide the opportunity to use an inbuilt speech dictation facility if the device can access the Internet. Word prediction is also available in some writing Apps and may offer additional support to some users. It is important to note, however, that these voices are not always included within the basic price of an App but obtained subsequently as an in-App purchase. Some writing and book reading Apps now offer speech to text as part of the App itself and some of the newer voices suggest intonation. This varies and is not consistent across different regions of the world. This accessibility is dependent upon whether its original format has been protected (DRM: Digital Rights Management). However, it is important to note that text to speech does not work within every web page, document or e-book. ![]() This provides some limited voice options, whilst purchased Apps offer further possibilities. The latest models of iPhones and iPads (or older versions updated to IOS 7) now offer Speak Selection. Voice options for text to speech (the ability to hear the written text spoken) have also improved considerably in some Apps. A suggestion would be to set up a Dropbox or Google Drive account to enable a document to be transferred and accessed across devices. However, the experience is not consistent. Yet, as the quality of some Apps continue to improve with updates, this is becoming easier, making it possible to transfer or share documents with other Apps and across devices. This process can feel cumbersome compared to the experience on a computer. document or image, can be exported or used in other applications. Some Apps differ in the ease with which their end product e.g. There are some great Apps around that offer a range of significantly useful features for what is a relatively small price. Cost alone is not an indicator of quality or usefulness. Yet not only is this this exploration an evolving one but the experience may not be universal: what suits one person may not suit another.Īpps vary in design as well as the support tools and options they offer, but this is not always reflected in the price they command. These pages contribute to this growing information pool by highlighting particularly useful features in Apps, how these might support the needs of some users with dyslexic issues and, wherever possible, comments from users themselves. Other useful sources are also listed at the end of this article. IPad Apps for Learners with Dyslexia / Reading and Writing Difficulties IPads for Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning Sources such as the following excellent documents from CALL, Scotland can help with this dilemma: There are now over one million Apps on the App Store alone, so it can be overwhelming when setting out to find those that suit the specific needs of a user. If you have any helpful suggestions, comments or illustrations of use that you consider would be of interest to others, please send them to: Reading Options on the Deviceġ4. However, some users have reported being able to gain sufficient support to maintain a mobile working environment by using a few carefully selected Apps and with specific features enabled on the device itself. This article looks at Apps that address specific areas of need that some users with dyslexic difficulties encounter and highlights particularly useful features.Įach item also links to the iTunes store (UK) where prices and information from the developer can be found.Īpps cannot provide the range of facilities found within any fully functioning software used on a computer or laptop. ![]()
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