dd= doesn’t have dyslexia.
There are major devices, which can help people with dyslexia enhance their skills. Martin Adams is a boy who has dyslexia he has many difficulties. Martin enjoys playing games and chatting with his friends in his free time. Martin was interviewed briefly. Martin talks about how dyslexia has affected his life, “I was born with dyslexia. My mother had dyslexia. I went to school normally like every other child. Unfortunately it came to a time when it started to get bad, I couldn’t write as neatly as I did before, I wasn’t able to remember any words or phrases after a couple of days, I couldn’t see the right colours that were around me, I couldn’t even read without someone there to help me…” He carries on. “I then had to leave school and go to a special needs school, I always used to feel ashamed of the way I was. I wanted to be normal like other kids. I finally accepted to go to the school and it was fine. There were many devices that helped me with my writing reading and many skills. Just because I have dyslexia it doesn’t mean I’m different from anyone else”.
Martin goes to a special needs school and obviously has work he needs to do. For work related matters e.g. at school, martin uses a Big key. A bigkey is a device that you can plug into your computer. It is also ideal for early learning and is used for people aged 3-90. Martin is only 17 so it is suitable for him. The big key comes in 18 different versions but Martin has the version that has multicoloured keys because he finds it very hard to identify many colours; the letters are also enlarged so it is easier for him to read the letters. Big keys are 4 times the size of ordinary keys. Martin says that Big key make typing so much easier and faster. There are no confusing keys e.g. scroll lock, num lock on the Big keys so that Martin dosn’t get confused.The only thing he needs to do is plug it into his computer/laptop. The big key can be plugged into anything e.g. laptop, computer but sometimes if there are too many keys on the big key that are the same colours martin can get confused. This can also be related to social needs as well. Martin uses this for personal use so that he can surf on the net because it is much more easier.
Another work related device is a laptop magnilink. This is a device that makes reading easier. The device is a laptop and has a magnifier at the side. When Martin puts the book under this magnifier the words appear 5 times as big on the laptop screen. This helps Martin a lot because it is very hard for him to read words. This device is very easy to use but martin always forgets how to program it so someone has to help him. Sometimes there are some complicated words which Martin can`t recognise. This can be related to personal use because if Martin is at home and doesn’t want to stay near the laptop all he needs to do is make the writing bigger and do what ever he wants to do. Magnification range - Reading 2 - 40 x / Distance 0.25 - 2.5 x at 3m.
This laptop magnilink allows Martin to save pictures and change the colour of the background and font he is looking at. There is even a colour that glows in the dark so that Martin can even read in the dark.
Martin uses a reading pen if he can`t pronounce the words in the book that he is reading. The reading pen is a device that will scan and read a whole line out loud. The reading pen can read dictionary definitions. It has a memory extension kit, which allows martin to store quotes and notes. It can even translate different languages. Martin can experience many more words, hear the phonic pattern, reinforce his learning. This is much more easier than looking through a dictionary or reading. Martin doean`t need to waste time struggling and trying to read a word he just needs to run the reading pen through the book and he will understand the story. This method may be a bit slow.
This is are AbleNet Switches. All AbleNet switches are made of durable, high impact ABS. They are responsive across the entire surface; are easy to mount with the flange base; have a six-foot lead and 3.5mm jack; and provide audible feedback. This helps Martin because he can use this to chat with his friends on the net and play games.Martin finds it very hard to control the mouse by hand so he uses a intragramouse which he can blow on in different directions to program the ………………………. To move. This is very helpful to Martin because he can also use this to click on things when doing work or using the net. For personal use Martin uses a pathfinder. A pathfinder is a device that helps martin at school with his English e.g. verbs, grammar and expresses the English language used. This is all done using pictures. This device enables Martin to listen to music in his free time at home.
All these devices have helped martin in his life.
Mary Ewumi
Centre Number: 10838
Candidate Number: 1043