Alexza: a mobile application for dyslexics utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts

Abstract

Dyslexia can be explained as a neurological learning disability which causes difficulties in reading, word decoding, comprehension, short-term memory, writing, spelling, and speaking. People who are diagnosed with dyslexia tend to show signs of low self-esteem and anxiety since they can't interact with the society in a way that their peers do. Many applications available in this domain help them by correcting their issues by playing games and reading some hard-coded texts or pdf books. This correcting process takes time and dyslexics become helpless when coping with their day-to-day activities. This paper describes results of an evaluation of a prototype mobile application which helps the dyslexic users to deal with their reading difficulties in real life successfully, while they are receiving proper treatments. This prototype can identify the texts around them and read it loudly so that user can understand and will be allowed to customize the chunking, scrolling and highlighting of words according to their disability levels. By integrating dictionary support with the phonic and morphological structure of the word, the user will be able to comprehend difficult and complex words easily. In addition, the study also explores the use of a machine learning approach to improve the effectiveness of the learning dyslexic complex words.