Technology and Dyslexia

At Bredon School, we want every student to have the support they need to learn with confidence. We provide access to a range of assistive technologies and resources that help make reading, writing and understanding information more accessible.

The tools below can be particularly helpful for students with Dyslexia and other literacy difficulties. Whether through reading and writing software, audiobooks, or reading pens, these resources support independence, build confidence and help students get the most from their learning both in school and at home.

Smiling student in blazer uses two laptops at a desk in a classroom.

Read & Write Online

All students at Bredon School have access to Read & Write Online.

Read & Write is an online literacy support tool designed to help individuals with reading, writing and comprehension difficulties, including those with Dyslexia. It offers a range of accessibility features, including text-to-speech, word prediction, speech-to-text, picture dictionaries and screen masking, to support reading and written communication.

Read & Write can be used across websites, documents and digital learning platforms, helping learners to work more independently and confidently both in school and at home. The software is widely used in education to improve access to the curriculum and reduce barriers to learning.

Man in a tweed blazer sits on a brown sofa reading a magazine in a library or(bookstore) lounge, concentrating on the pages.

Calibre Audio

All students at Bredon School have access to Calibre Audio.

Calibre is primarily an e-book management program, but it also allows users to customise how text is displayed, which can significantly improve reading comfort and accessibility.

Helpful Features:

• Adjustable fonts and text size: users can increase font size and choose dyslexia-friendly fonts such as OpenDyslexic.
• Custom spacing and layout: changing line spacing, margins and background colour can reduce visual stress.
• Text-to-speech compatibility: works with some screen readers and accessibility tools.
• Format conversion: converts documents into more accessible formats (ePub, PDF, Kindle formats, etc.).
• Organisation tools: help learners keep reading materials organised and easier to locate.

Why This Matters for Dyslexia

Many learners with dyslexia benefit from reduced visual clutter, clearer font presentation, coloured backgrounds instead of bright white screens and the ability to listen while reading. Calibre offers a high level of personalisation, allowing users to create a reading experience that suits their individual processing needs.

Teacher helps a student read a worksheet together, standing beside a wooden fireplace mantel in a school setting.

Reading Pens

Reading pens can be a very effective support tool for individuals with Dyslexia, particularly for improving reading independence, confidence and access to text.