Learning disabilities are very common. Some research suggests that over 10% of the world’s population is affected by a learning disorder, making them highly prevalent in education, careers, and life. Learning disorders can affect how an individual interacts with the world, and many people with them require accommodations to help them succeed. 

What kinds of accommodations are available? What are the best choices? How is the landscape of assistive technology changing to include more disabilities? As we examine the growing assistive technology industry, let's dive into these questions. 

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is an umbrella term for a wide array of neurological disorders surrounding learning. Some well-known examples include ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. There is a mistaken belief that children with learning disorders “outgrow” them when they reach adulthood; however, this is often not the case. Studies have shown that those learning disorders also affect them well into adulthood, causing problems in careers and life. 

What kinds of technology exist?

Depending on the condition in question, various assistive technology for learning disorders exist. Dyslexia, for instance, has several options that make it easier for children and adults to function in school, workplaces, and life. One such option is text-to-speech, a program designed to read the text on a screen out loud to a user. 

Text-to-speech works for people with dyslexia because dyslexia causes problems with the recognition of words. Having a program available to read words aloud — often with the proper inflection and cadence of natural speech, as opposed to computerized speech — is extremely helpful in allowing people with dyslexia to access written materials on a screen. If they are not required to rely on reading, they can better utilize a computer and the services within. 

Assistive technology doesn’t just stop with dyslexia. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, results in poor attention span and trouble focusing, and many pieces of assistive technology exist to help people with this disorder.  One example is reminder devices that help keep a person with ADHD on track. 

Reminder devices are usually watches that a person with ADHD wears. The watches are programmed to vibrate at certain intervals to help remind a user to stay on track or refocus on whatever task. These devices can be very helpful to a person with ADHD who would otherwise find their attention and focus wandering.

What are the best choices?

The best choices for assistive technology for learning disorders are up to the person with the learning disorder. For example, it may be different for children than adults and may depend heavily on personal circumstances. If a person with ADHD knows they are easily distracted by access to the Internet, they should probably stay away from technology that uses an Internet connection.

There are some things to consider when selecting the right piece of assistive technology. First, a person should ensure it targets what they need help with. If a person with dyscalculia doesn’t have issues reading a clock, the best piece of assistive technology for them is likely not a typographic clock. 

Second, the technology should be understandable. It defeats the purpose of accessibility and being assistive if the technology a person is using is so confusing it is no longer helpful. A person should ensure when selecting their technology that they understand the setup, use, and any ongoing maintenance of the technology before committing to it. 

Finally, will a person actually use it? Like someone who swears they’ll get organized every New Year but whose fancy planner languishes in a drawer, a person utilizing assistive technology should ensure they’ll use what they’re selecting. Audiobooks for dyslexia are only helpful if a person listens to them. 

How is the industry changing?

The assistive technology industry is constantly growing and evolving. Companies are developing new devices and updating existing technologies regularly. As the understanding that learning disabilities are often lifelong grows, more and more assistive devices will likely be designed and manufactured to meet the demand. 

Personal story 

I have dyscalculia. Dyscalculia refers to a wide range of difficulties with math, including weaknesses in understanding the meaning of numbers and difficulty applying mathematical principles to solve problems. 

How it affects each person who has it differs from person to person, but I struggle to do mental math (even with small numbers), tell time, understand right from left, and understand greater and smaller numbers. I wasn’t formally diagnosed until college, but looking back, it’s clear how much dyscalculia affected my K-12 learning and how much it still affects my adulthood. 

I use two pieces of assistive technology to help me navigate everyday life with dyscalculia. The first is a talking calculator. Text-to-speech technology can assist individuals with dyscalculia in reading and understanding math problems or instructions. Speech recognition software can dictate mathematical responses or calculations, reducing the need for handwriting or typing.

I struggle with numbers if they’re not spelled out. A talking calculator does help because hearing the numbers read out bypasses the part of my brain that stalls and stumbles over numbers. It was a relief to find a talking calculator, and it’s helped me significantly. 

I also use a typographic clock or clock that spells out the time. Both analog and digital clocks are hard for me to understand. Having the time spelled out (seven o’clock instead of 7:00) makes it more understandable. I also have a text clock app to do the same thing on my phone. 

Assistive technology has been a huge help to me as I navigate life with a learning disability. For a long time, I went without, and it was extremely difficult. I am very glad I don’t have to do that anymore. 

Conclusion

There are many options for assistive technology to help people with learning disabilities navigate school, life, and work. The best option is a personal choice, but their help is invaluable and can mean the difference between a successful life and many struggles. The field is constantly evolving, so new technology is on the horizon to be released soon.