11 Apps and Websites to Make Reading and Writing With Dyslexia Easier

By Daniela McVicker for The Mighty

We live in an age of technological wonders. We can do so many great things we were not able to do a few decades ago. Today we can video chat with friends who live in other countries. We can pay bills using mobile apps. And we can use assistive technology to help us if we live with dyslexia.

If you have dyslexia and need a solution that allows you to save time and overcome some issues, this article is for you. Here are 11 effective technologies you can start using today.

1. Bookshare
Bookshare is a platform that provides free access to hundreds of thousands of audiobooks for people with dyslexia and other reading barriers. Bookshare allows users to customize their reading experience with eBooks in audio, audio and highlighted text, and other formats. Start using this platform, and you will get access to more than 751,300 textbooks, bestsellers, and other materials.

2. OverDrive
If you want to get access to even more eBooks and audiobooks, visit the OverDrive platform. Sign up to OverDrive using your local public library card and read the books you like for free.

3. Learning Ally
Learning Ally is a tool that provides access to thousands of human-read audiobooks, including bestsellers, literature and textbooks. All dyslexic users can take advantage of such features as speed control, bookmarking, highlighting and note-taking. Learning Ally is available as a browser extension and as mobile apps for Android and Apple’s iOS.

4. Grammarly
Grammarly is an online proofreader that is available as an online app, browser extension and software for Word. You can use it for writing emails, text messages and formal documents. Grammarly works more effectively than other tools because of the AI-powered algorithm. This technology allows it to define even minor spelling mistakes and provides suggestions on how to fix them. It’s worth mentioning that Grammarly is popular not only among people with dyslexia but also among professional writers and editors. More than 15 million people use this app daily, so don’t hesitate to try it out.

5. Co:writer Chrome Extension
Co:writer is another popular browser extension. It has plenty of useful features, including word prediction, flexible spelling, topic dictionaries, momentary dictionaries, speech-to-text and text-to-speech features. Using this browser extension, you can take your writing to the next level and change your life for the better.

6. Rewordify
If you find it challenging to read texts that are full of rarely-used or complex words, try out this tool. Rewordify simplifies difficult words and improves reading and exam preparation. All you need to do is to copy and paste difficult-to-read text in the box and click “Rewordify text” button.

7. Online OCR
Online Optical Character Recognition (OCR) helps to convert text and images from a scanned PDF document into an editable DOC file. This technology works pretty well and converted documents look exactly like the original files. You can use Online OCR it even if your PDF contains tables, columns or charts. This tool supports 46 languages, including Japanese and Korean. So if you are a foreign language learner, Online OCR will be extremely useful for you.

8. Dragon Speech Recognition Solution
If you want to spend less time typing, try Dragon speech recognition. Use your voice to make notes, write emails and create MS Word files. Facilitate your work and focus on more important tasks.

9. Microsoft One Note
This is a free tool you can use to improve reading fluency. Microsoft One Note provides various inclusive technology including speech-to-text, text-to-speech, as well as an immersion option that highlights text as it is read.

10. Voice Dream Reader
If you are looking for a mobile app that will simplify the reading process, try Voice Dream Reader. Users of this app say it helps triple their reading speed and enhance understanding.
Take advantage of synchronized reading capability that integrates text and voice. It can help you to avoid some issues you face because of dyslexia.

11. Natural Reader
Natural Reader is software that uses both OCR technology and text-to-speech technology. You can use this tool to convert scanned PDF documents and images into audio files. Katherine Mendez, a marketer at Top Writers Review, has this to say about Natural Reader: “I have dyslexia. And it takes me a lot of time to read all the documents my colleagues and clients send to me. So I prefer to convert PDFs to audio and listen to them on the go. It facilitates my work and allows me to focus on more important tasks.”

Wrapping it up
If you want to avoid embarrassing grammar mistakes and improve reading fluency, don’t hesitate to take advantage of assistive technologies. Install suitable browser extensions, download a text-to-speech app and start using them on a regular basis. In a month, I believe you will look back and be amazed at the positive changes in your life.