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Research request from Tilburg University in the Netherlands

Hi everyone! My name is Judith and I’m a master’s student at Tilburg University. For my master’s thesis, I am conducting research on how strengths of dyslexia can be utilized. I am still missing some participants to complete my research. The research will take 20 minutes on average. Can you help me? Then please fill out the survey below
Survey Questionnaire

Thanks so much in advance,
Judith

Article from Hannah Walters

hannah.walters@contentncoffee.com

Accessible Email Creation for People with Dyslexia: A Step-by-Step Guide

 We use emails every day, but it is important to ensure that they are accessible to all users. Today, we have the technology to make emails and digital content more accessible for those who are neurodiverse, including dyslexia. With appropriate tools such as screen reader software, people with dyslexia can access an email or other digital content in the same way as anyone else. Accessible emails allow everyone to share and access information in a safe and equal manner.

Creating accessible emails is an important part of making communication technology more inclusive. For people with dyslexia, accessible emails can make it easier to understand the content of the email, reducing the difficulty of using digital technology and helping those with dyslexia access the same resources as everyone else.

What are accessible emails?

 Accessible emails are emails that have been designed to be as accessible as possible for those who are neurodiverse, including those with dyslexia. This might involve making tweaks to the design of the email to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read and comprehend the content, such as increasing font size or using fonts optimized for dyslexia. Accessible emails should also incorporate features that allow people with dyslexia to better interact with digital content, such as text-to-speech tools or auto-generated transcripts of audio or video materials. Ultimately, accessible emails help ensure that those with dyslexia can access the same resources and communication channels as everyone else.

Using screen reader software

 It is essential for emails to be readable by screen readers to ensure that those with disabilities, including dyslexia, can access digital content. Screen readers can help those with dyslexia interpret emails more quickly and accurately by providing audio descriptions of the content. Additionally, making emails accessible for screen readers can make it easier for people with dyslexia to navigate the email, since they do not have to interpret all the visual elements at once. Accessible emails can also incorporate features like alternative text tags on images, allowing screen readers to accurately describe the visual content of an email while also making it easier for people with disabilities to interact with digital media.

A step-by-step guide to creating accessible emails

Creating accessible emails for those with dyslexia is an important step to ensuring digital accessibility. Here are the steps to create an accessible email:

1. Use descriptive, meaningful subject lines and headers – this will help people with dyslexia identify the content of the email more quickly.
2. Stick to one topic per email – multiple topics can cause confusion and make it difficult to understand the message.
3. Break up text into short paragraphs, bullet points, or lists to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read and interpret the message quickly.
4. Try not to use complicated words or technical jargon – easier language can help those with dyslexia better understand what is being said.
5. Include alternative text tags on images so screen readers can accurately describe the visual content of an email while also making it easier for people with disabilities to interact with digital media.
6. Using dyslexia-friendly fonts – Dyslexia-friendly fonts such as Open Dyslexic, Comic Sans MS, or Arial ensure text is legible and easier to read for those with dyslexia.

 Key Takeaways

 Creating accessible emails is essential for a better and more inclusive world. Ensuring that everyone can access digital platforms and content leads to more equitable outcomes and promotes a culture of tolerance and understanding. Making emails accessible ensures that no one is left behind, they are included in our digital conversations, paving the way for a brighter future.

• Emails are essential for communication, but it is important to ensure they are accessible to all users.
• Technology and tools exist to make emails more accessible for those who are Neurodiverse, including dyslexia.
• Accessible emails promote a culture of tolerance and understanding and allow everyone to share and access information in an equal manner.
• Creating accessible emails is essential for a better and more inclusive world.

Resource List

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/adults/in-the-workplace

https://www.wired.com/story/the-best-assistive-technology-dyslexia/

https://instiller.co.uk/blog/how-accessible-are-the-emails-you-send

https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/dyslexia-tools-software-and-free-resources

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/

Edward Spencer from Highlightly

🌟 Discover a New Way to Read with Highlightly: Empowering Neurodivergent Readers! 🌟

At Highlightly, we believe that reading should be an empowering experience, especially for those who navigate the world through a neurodivergent lens. Our revolutionary approach transforms the reading journey, providing a supportive platform that understands and caters to diverse needs.

📚 The Power of Contextual Highlighting

Unlike traditional methods of rewording or summarizing text, Highlightly brings a fresh perspective to reading. We believe in the strength of context, and our innovative solution highlights key sentences within their contextual framework. This not only eliminates unnecessary details but also empowers you to focus on what truly matters, fostering efficient and effective reading.

👩‍🎓 Supporting Skim Reading for Students

Skim reading is a vital skill, especially for students navigating through extensive study materials. We recognise the importance of this skill and have designed Highlightly to support this by keeping the surrounding text of highlights available. So you can say goodbye to wading through layers of information; instead, embrace the ability to quickly identify and absorb essential content.

📑 Smart Highlighting Modes for Every Scenario

Highlightly isn’t just a one size fits all summary generator; it’s a versatile reading companion. With multiple smart highlighting modes catering to different scenarios, helping you find the information you need quickly.

🚀 Born Out of Necessity: A Personal Journey

Highlightly was born out of a personal necessity. As someone who is dyslexic, I couldn’t get through all my university readings. While screen readers offered assistance, they couldn’t be the complete solution. Before Highlightly, the arduous task of listening to entire books became the norm, taking up precious time. Highlightly changes the game by allowing users to skim read just the important new ideas in a document efficiently, saving time and energy.

🌐 Available Anytime, Anywhere: Web and iOS Compatibility

Highlightly is available both on the web and iOS so you can work dome home or on the go on phone or iPad.

🙌 Join the Highlightly Community and 🌈 Experience the Joy of Reading with Highlightly

We are dedicated to enhancing the reading experience for neurodivergent individuals and we hope you find Highlightly as transformative as we do.

We hope that you give Highlightly a go. We are committed to constantly improving the app. If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback, we would love to hear from you. Your inputs will help us shape the future of Highlightly and reading for everyone in our wonderful community.

🚀 Download Highlightly Today and Revolutionize Your Reading Experience! 🚀

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/highlightly/id6448940688

web: https://www.highlightly.app

Call for your views: what should the research priorities be for the dyslexic community?

Researchers at the University of Reading, and The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity are asking for your opinions via a brief online survey use this link to find out more…………….

Dyslexia Research Survey and Information

Suggested Resource from Sid Youngman

How to Help Your Dyslexic Teen Do Their Best in Exams: https://www.mytutor.co.uk/blog/parents/how-to-help-your-dyslexic-teen-do-their-best-in-exams

New reading resource: Anna Levinson

LukaLab

How does LukuLab help struggling and dyslexic readers?

Each child receives short and effective daily reading workouts throughout the entire school year.

The difficulty level of tasks is aligned with each student’s talents and needs.

The program trains dozens of small skills which were identified during computational analysis of children’s reading errors.

The children build competency in all important reading skills, from phonemic awareness to phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The students complete exercises in collaboration with their teachers or parents, who do not need to have training in special education.

LukuLab specifically targets students with ADHD/ADD by motivating children with attention deficits to sustain their focus.

Click this link to try LukaLab for free

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Jaini Shah

Recruiter | Specialising in Trusts and Major Donors Fundraisers within the Not For Profit Sector

October is a month of personal significance to me, not only is it my birth month, but it is a time for various celebrations and reflection.

This article marks the start of my monthly newsletter and aims to introduce you to me, Jaini Shah, and to shed light on my personal journey, which is deeply influenced by my experiences with dyslexia and cerebral palsy. These factors have played a significant role in shaping who I am today and have led me on my mission to improve diversity in recruitment within the not-for-profit (NFP) sector.

Beyond my personal connection with dyslexia, I have also navigated life with cerebral palsy, a condition that impacts movement and coordination. Combining these two challenges has made my path truly unique, emphasising that there is no one-size-fits-all stereotype for individuals with learning disabilities. Each person’s journey is different, and this uniqueness should be embraced and celebrated. It wasn’t until recently, as I became a recruiter for a not-for-profit organisation, that I discovered the existence and importance of awareness dates like Dyslexia Awareness Week.

Dyslexia Awareness Week is celebrated from 2nd – 8th October, and naturally holds a special place in my heart. It serves as a reminder that the month of my birth is not just about personal festivities but also about raising awareness and understanding for a condition that affects millions of lives, including my own.

Dyslexia, a neurological difference, is something I’ve personally grappled with during my school days. It’s a condition that can manifest in various ways, from difficulties in recognising, spelling, and decoding words to challenges with hand-eye coordination and short attention spans. For me, it often meant mixing up ‘B’s and ‘D’s, a common stereotype associated with dyslexia that has been humorously shared on social media.

Despite the initial frustrations and challenges I’ve experienced, I’ve observed a positive shift in society’s perception of dyslexia. It’s heartening to witness the growing recognition that dyslexia is not linked to intelligence but is a genetic, neurological condition. Awareness weeks like Dyslexia Awareness Week play a vital role in dispelling misconceptions and diminishing the stigma surrounding the condition which affects so many people.

According to the British Dyslexia Association, the number of people with dyslexia in the UK is around 10% and 4% of those suffer severely from the condition.

This year’s theme for Dyslexia Awareness Week 2023, “Uniquely You,” resonates with me as it supports the diverse experiences within the dyslexic community, emphasising that everyone has their own personal journey, so there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. The theme celebrates individual experiences with dyslexia and encourages inclusivity and understanding of a topic I feel passionate about

As we observe Dyslexia Awareness Week and reflect on the unique challenges and strengths associated with dyslexia, we should remember that there are lots of ways we can uplift individuals with dyslexia, boost their confidence, and contribute to a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their neurological differences.

Supporting candidates with dyslexia during the hiring process is important to ensure equal opportunities and foster diversity and inclusion. I will provide some of my recommendations for hiring managers that I believe the dyslexic community would appreciate.

1.        Along with extra-time for dyslexic candidates maybe offering dyslexic-friendly assessment formats, such as providing questions in a readable font and avoiding dense text. Allow candidates to use assistive technology, like screen readers or speech-to-text software during assessments.

2.       Moreover, in terms of interviews I would suggest sharing pre-questioning prior to interviews so it allows us to absorb and comprehend the question. Sometimes, interviews are daunting for everyone. However, for those affected by learning disabilities/neurological conditions things can get even more stressful under pressure! ( Talking from experience, I have had occasions of stuttering, long pauses, and completely misreading the question!)

Later this week, I’ll be discussing World Cerebral Palsy Day which falls on 8th October, so watch this space as I continue to discuss awareness days and topics that are close to my heart. I will also do a follow up on the broader topic of how hiring managers can support recruitment for everyone!