What are alternatives to pen readers for dyslexia?

If you are interested in reading pens but still want to explore alternatives, there are several options you should know about. 

How pen readers help those with dyslexia

Dyslexic people are not able to read as well as those without the condition. Instead, they will struggle and spend a lot of time on the entire process. In the majority of cases, they will focus on the act of reading instead of on the content, and the entire process is exhausting. 

What pen scanners do is allow them to listen to the content instead of reading it, and these scanning pens can help with any type of reading disability, including visual impairments. 

7 common and uncommon alternatives to reading pens

Although helpful, reading pens are not the only assistive technology you can use to avoid reading. There are many alternatives you can check out, and they can be equally effective. Naturally, it all comes down to the severity of the condition, each individual user, and what they are trying to achieve. 

However, all of these can be decent alternatives, and they are worth checking out. 

Text to speech

One of the best ways to solve reading problems is to eliminate the need for reading. And to achieve this, you can use text to speech tools. The idea behind TTS apps is quite simple. You copy text, paste it into the app, and it will read the text for you.

Based on the app you choose, you will be able to use various languages and accents, experiment with speech rate, and so much more. Text to speech tools can easily convert any type of text into AI voice, and it will be more than helpful for those struggling with dyslexia. 

TTS apps are also a great option for auditory learners, and it’s one of many reasons why audiobooks and Amazon Kindle are so popular. 

Various educational apps

Educational apps can be helpful, especially for dyslexic children. They can also serve as a nice way to progress and be a better, more fluent reader. There are various educational apps, including audio materials and apps that will go through letters and phonemes. With the help of educational apps, your child’s reading skills can improve in no time at all.

Text scanners

Text scanners have a similar function to reading pens, but they come in various shapes and forms. You can scan a page of text or just individual lines. One option is to combine scanners with text to speech apps and be able to convert any type of text to audio. 

The process is even simpler if the scanner offers OCR or optical character recognition, allowing you to scan physical documents and materials. Scanning pens and exam readers are just one example of tools and gadgets that offer OCR, but there are other options. 

Electronic flashcards

Electronic flashcards are growing in popularity. There are many different apps you can find today that allow you to create your own digital flashcards, and they’re helpful to all students, not just those with dyslexia.

Electronic flashcards are an effective way to improve the way you learn as well as your reading comprehension.

Eyelighter

Eyelighter or eye lighter is one of the simplest tools on the list, but it can be quite effective. The idea behind it is simple. You can cover a few lines of text with it, and it will allow you to focus better. 

It is something that can be used by both children and adults, and it’s great for studying, casual reading, practice, and anything else. 

Writing helpers

Writing helpers are apps and tools that can assist you whenever you decide to write something. One of many examples is phonetic-spelling apps that will allow users to explore the language like never before. 

Dyslexia tools and apps are available for a variety of mobile devices; they are easy to use and can be extremely useful.

Glasses and colored overlays

People with reading difficulties may also benefit from tinted glasses and colored overlays. Tinted glasses and colored overlays are said to help improve focus and allow people to read a bit easier. Keep in mind that tinted glasses for dyslexia are not the same as prescription glasses. 

Instead, they have tinted lenses allowing people to see letters more accurately and have enough time for their brains to process the information. Colored overlays work similarly.

Additional benefits of using text to speech to learn and read with disabilities

Text to speech tools have proven to be revolutionary tools for improving accessibility, especially for those with dyslexia. In fact, these TTS apps will save so much time, even if you don’t struggle with reading. This is because text to speech apps allow people to multitask and focus on the content instead of the act of reading. 

One of the best options you can find today when it comes to TTS is Speechify. The app is available on all imaginable devices, including iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, Mac, and Windows, as well as Google Chrome extension. 

Additionally, Speechify is easy to use and highly versatile. You can use it to read any online or physical text aloud, and the quality of its AI voices is exceptional. 

Speechify also supports other languages besides English (Spanish, Portuguese, French, and many others), as well as various accents and voice skins. Try Speechify for free today to see how it can transform your reading experience.

FAQ

What tools help students with dyslexia?

There are many ways to deal with learning disabilities. One way is to use various tools such as Speechify, which converts any type of written text into a digital voice, colored glasses, and digital highlighters.

What is an alternative way to read text?

Instead of reading text on your own, you can always use text to speech apps to convert a physical text into an AI voice. This will allow you to multitask, enjoy listening to the documents, proofread them, and do anything else you want to do. 

Many people use TTS apps along with voice recorders and earphones instead of note-taking apps, and there are great programs you can find today. Moreover, you can easily connect these devices to your PC using a USB cable to share files. 

What is a pen that can read what you write?

Scanner pens or reading pens (such as C-Pen Reader pens) are able to scan text and read it back to you in just a couple of seconds. It is a popular option to deal with dyslexia, and they are quite effective.