Ysilex : a Friendly reading Interface for Dyslexics

Abstract : In this paper, we describe an interface to display texts in a fashion adapted to dyslexic readers. In order to help the reading task, we designed several tools geared towards the specific difficulties of this population, e.g. a tendency to lose one's place within the text, a fluctuating attention or a difficulty to access the syllable level of the words, a process known to be used with new or infrequent words. Preliminary results show that a pared down display coupled with a choice of tools available on demand could cater to the heterogeneity of difficulties displayed by dyslexics. Stepwise increments in design coupled with ongoing validation of the reading tools will insure the usefulness of the interface.