Assistive technology and Neurodiversity Breaking down barriers using

Assistive technology and Neurodiversity: Breaking down barriers using technology By Luke Nadin

Who am I and what’s my role? • • My name is Luke Nadin. I work for Microlink. My role with Microlink was apprentice technical support. I did research in the field of assistive technology, in the home, higher education and other settings to find out how Microlink can help people with several different disabilities.

Things that will be covering • What is Neurodiversity? • We are going to be paying particular attention to dyslexia. • Barriers within the workplace and education. • Free assistive technology: e. g. Siri, Google Hangouts and Cortana. • Other assistive technology solutions.

What is Neurodiversity? • Neurodiversity can be described as the diversity or variation of cognitive functioning in humans. • Neurodiversity has four main conditions, dyslexia and dyspraxia, autism and ADHD. • Its thought that 1 in 10 people are likely to be dyslexic. • This can be a barrier for some people when accessing education and employment. • People with dyslexia should not have to see it as a barrier because with the right technology they can still achieve their goals.

Barriers within the workplace and Education • Having dyslexia can cause many barriers within the workplace and education. • Understanding instructions from bosses reading comprehension and writing can be barriers. • This may cause stress and anxiety in a person. • Dyslexia may cause cognitive delay and this may result in a person missing deadlines and rushing to get things done. • Not having the right support in place when you are in employment or in education at the start. “Creativity is the key for any child with dyslexia, or for anyone for that matter. Then you can think outside of the box. Teach them anything is attainable. ” Orlando Bloom

Free assistive technology: Siri, Google Hangouts and Cortana • There are several free text to speech applications that allow people to overcome barriers such as dyslexia. • These applications include Siri, Cortana and Google Hangouts. • They allow the user a sense of freedom of speech and the ability to be more independent if using this type of technology. • It’s easy to set up. • The accuracy is good.

Text-to-speech software texthelp , Claro. Read • Claro. Read is an assistive technology program that helps people with dyslexia to read documents. • It can also read PDFs and web articles. • Claro. Read 9 also has speech to text software built into it. • With texthelp you can highlight specific text and it can be put into a word document (this can help with referencing and pulling out information. • With texthelp screen masking is available. • Different voices are available to aid with reading.

Other assistive technology solutions(Dragon Naturally. Speaking) • Dragon Naturally. Speaking is a speech to text software that allows people to write emails, write essays and complete work tasks. • You can write up to 200 words a minute, sometimes may be more depending on the speed that you can talk. • You can put automatic punctuation in if you find it hard because of dyslexia to punctuate sentences. • This can help with productivity. • It is more accurate than free speech to text software. • it is one of the best solutions possible to help people with dyslexia.

Ayoa Mind Mapping Software • Ayoa is a neuro inclusive collaborative digital workspace. • There is a desktop version as well as a browser version of the software. • It allows individuals to work collaboratively with team members to allow them to brainstorm ideas. • Ayoa allows real-time collaborative work, you can work with several team members at the same time. • Using this Ayoa will give you a more inclusive workforce because of the collaboration, and the software works with Dragon Naturally. Speaking. • Updates in real time when producing collaborative mind maps, so team members can see the updates in real time. • You can have video meetings between staff members. • With this software you can plan your day that helps people with Neurodiversity conditions.

Mindview: mind mapping software • Mindview can help with dyslexia and can help with the workflow. • Helps with producing documents, can be exported into a word document and other forms of documentation. • Works very well with dragon Naturally. Speaking. • You can use symbols and media to help with the creation of the mind map. • Can be on standalone PCs or multiple licences for users to use. • Having a visual approach can really help people stay on track with their ideas.

Correction software Global Auto correct • Global auto correct helps with spelling. • Really helpful for people with dyslexia. • Global auto correct is intuitive. • Easy user interface. • Works in all programs (including Internet). • Tracks your mistakes. • Doesn’t need to be configured • Add own corrections • Intelligent corrections

Light Key software • Lightkey is a predictive text tool that helps with dyslexia and is intuitive. • Lightkey only works on Windows-based machines(does come with a Google Chrome extension. • The default language is English. • Doesn’t need an Internet connection to work. • Can be installed locally on individual machines or by licence. • The program can predict up to 12 words before you even start typing. • Lightkey can inform the user of their typing speed and efficiency. • Translates into 80 languages.

Super. Reading courses • Super. Reading is a combination of techniques, strategies and tools that help people become brilliant readers and learners. • The Program resides online like a book. • Each lesson comes with text and videos to explain what to do. • One tool that sets Super. Reading apart from every other program is the Eye-Hop exercises. • These simple yet effective exercises allow people to progress from reading one or two words per glance to absorbing five to eight words per glance.

• Microlink’s e-learning centre provides training materials for companies. Microlink e -learning centre • Training in specific job roles. • The e-learning platform allows companies to focus on software adoption, specific to the employee’s job role. software could include texthelp and Dragon. • The development team can work with you to create bespoke solutions for the company and the employees to fit specific job roles.

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