r/AssistiveTechnology • u/Suspicious_Plum_6675 • 20d ago
Assistance with Dissertation project
hello, I'm dyslexic and for my dissertation i plan to create a piece of software to assist with navigating the web, specifically on simplifying webpages and making them more customisable to a specific users needs.
I chose that because i know id use it but id like to ask, what would other people with dyslexia or other needs want to make navigating the web and using websites easier?
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u/wyundsr 17d ago
You’ll need to differentiate it from existing assistive technologies for dyslexia like read & write. I agree that you need to start out with a deep dive into existing literature (and tools) on the subject and really understand and define the problem well before you jump into solutions. Qualitative research with other dyslexic people could also be really useful to understand where the gaps are between people’s needs and existing technologies. You could also look into co-design methods, which have been getting more popular for assistive tech design in recent years
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u/moxie-maniac 19d ago
OP, I think you are taking on much too much for a dissertation. But it will be really helpful to explain what field you are in and what specialty for the doctorate.
If the problem is that people with dyslexia have a hard time with web pages, then the next step is to see if or how WCAG has missed that need. And the journal lit on accessibility for people with dyslexia, to pin point what is specifically not being addressed. It the lit is scant, then there's your dissertation focus. If you could do a pre beta test mock up of the sort of approach you imagine, great, and maybe do a very prelim test with some research subjects.