WebHelpDyslexia: a browser extension to adapt web content for people with dyslexia

Abstract

The Web is an essential resource widely used by many organizations, affecting the lives of countless people. Thus, it is essential to ensure that Websites are accessible in order for people with disabilities to enjoy all its benefits. Many studies have been dedicated to investigate Web accessibility issues for users with visual or motor disabilities. However, comparatively fewer studies have addressed accessibility for users with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Furthermore, few tools provide support for dyslexic users during reading and browsing in Web content. The present study involved the design and implementation of a prototype extension for a Web browser that offers customization features of Web pages, based on requirements from problems encountered by users with dyslexia in related studies in the literature. The research involved the design, implementation and a preliminary user evaluation involving users with dyslexia in two iterative cycles. The implemented prototype included features to adjust layout characteristics of text and other features identified by means of feedback from users to aid concentration and dealing with difficult words, such as a “reading ruler”. The results obtained from this study highlighted the importance of providing further support in user agents to help dyslexic users and provide tools to help with linguistic issues.