Helping students with visual impairments or visual stress with Read&Write
For students with a visual impairment, writing assignments, reading course materials, conducting research or using the web can often present challenges. Assistive technology can play a key role in improving the learning experience of students with visual impairments.
Software like Read&Write, a literacy support toolbar, can help with its intuitive feature set. It’s often recommended by DSA assessors to support students with a visual impairment or those who experience visual stress.
From reading and comprehension help, to tools for writing and research, the toolbar has lots of features to help every student study smarter. If you’re specifically interested in how it could help students with visual impairments or visual stress, we’ve summarised the different features of Read&Write, which are particularly useful, below.
Screen masking
If you require your screen colour to be set to a specific prescription, this can be done in Read&Write with the screen masking feature. You can also use a reading ruler, to help with tracking when reading lots of text. This could help you narrow your focus to smaller paragraphs and help you to read more efficiently.
Audio maker
If reading text is challenging or even impossible for you, listening to content is a much more practical way to access your course material. You can use the audio maker feature in Read&Write to convert text into an MP3 file.
Vocabulary table
If you come across words or terms used in your course that you know you’ll have to remember in the future, try using the vocabulary list. You can create your own lists which can be read aloud, to help if you struggle to read text on screen.
Highlights
The highlights feature can help you to organise your notes and research. Use the different coloured highlighters to pull out key text that you’re reading on screen. Then click ‘collect highlights’ to create a document with the notes you’ve highlighted. The colours used create the correct level of contrast if you have a visual impairment or experience visual stress. It will even generate a bibliography which references each source – an added bonus!
Vocabulary table
If you come across words or terms used in your course that you know you’ll have to remember in the future, try using the vocabulary list. You can create your own lists which can be read aloud, to help if you struggle to read text on screen.
Voice notes
Record yourself speaking with the voice note feature and insert short audio files directly into your work as a comment. This could help you when reviewing your work, as you can add voice edits rather than written changes. It can also be an effective way to communicate with lecturers, tutors or other students, removing the need for written feedback or notes.
Getting Started
If you are a student and would like to find out more about Read&Write contact our admin team on 0161 745 8353 or email us at admin@remtek-online.co.uk
Say Hello!
Phone
0161 745 8353
Text
0161 745 8353
Address
University Business Park, Unit 42 Leslie Hough Way, Salford M6 6AJ
