Dyslexia Apps and Software Requirements

When people talk about Dyslexia, they are not referring only to reading problems. They are referring to a large set of learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia – actually, all problems related to reading and writing, including people who type really slowly. In many cases, people who have problems with writing (dysgraphia) also have problems with reading (dyslexia). Many people suffer from both dyslexia and dysgraphia.

However, even if you focus only on dysgraphia or dyslexia, you see that the specific writing or reading difficulties that people experience vary from one person to another. For example, a person with reading problems can have problems with reading specific words, understanding specific words, or general reading comprehension issues. A person with writing problems can be challenged with mild to severe spelling mistakes, grammar or punctuation mistakes, or the problem of typing text very slowly.

The main success factor of dyslexia apps for people with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia is to increase the user’s reading and writing productivity and to make the user-independent. This means that the user can read a text and respond to it independently without needing to ask another person to review the text.

The requirements of dyslexia apps targeting reading and writing problems must offer the user a set of assistive services. Such a solution should enable the user and address his/her weaknesses. For example,

• A user that has spelling, grammar, punctuation problems needs to be offered the right corrections.
• A user that has a reading problem needs the text being read to him in a way that he understands.
• A user that has both spelling problems and reading problems needs a solution that can offer him the right corrections and help him identify the right correction.
• A user that has typing and spelling problems needs a solution that can offer him word corrections while typing.

Any solution for people with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia must first understand their unique and varied challenges. The solution should be designed to meet their specific set of requirements in order to increase their reading and/or writing productivity.