At Dolphin, we’re committed to removing barriers to reading and learning for all students with visual impairments, dyslexia and other print disabilities. EasyReader was created to give learners a truly accessible way to read, study and succeed - whether they’re navigating a demanding university reading list or exploring new subjects independently.
In this blog, Laura explores the ways EasyReader supported her as a blind student throughout her university studies, transforming the way she accessed academic texts, organised her notes and engaged with literature in multiple languages. Laura's experience highlights exactly why accessible reading technology matters and how the right tools empower students to study independently and confidently.
How EasyReader Helped me Excel in my University Studies
For someone who has always had a strong passion for literature and language-learning, coupled with being registered blind, Dolphin EasyReader has become an indispensable piece of software.
With its extensive database of numerous leisure and academic resources (fifty libraries globally), it is now the primary tool I reach for when in search for my next read.
A Brief Overview of what EasyReader has to Offer
Dolphin EasyReader is an application for accessible reading, and caters for a wide range of disabilities, notably visual impairment, Dyslexia, and other visual/learning difficulties, making it universal in its approach, which is one of its most unique and stand-out features. Its pluralistic accessibility model is facilitated by its vast database which provides users access to a plethora of reading materials in various formats, such as text, audio, or even a combination of the two, all of which can be customised to the user’s auditory/visual preference.
Having such a wealth of resources literally at my fingertips and at just the click of a button was truly transformative for me, particularly during the gradual evolution from large, heavy blindness tools such as the Perkins Brailler in my early Primary School years, to the Daisy player, then to the braille embosser (transforming electronic/print text into braille), the bulky BrailleNote apex (in early secondary School), to then be presented with the possibility of having a fully accessible book that I could just carry around in my pocket (i.e. my phone). This was simply revolutionary.
Whilst the aforementioned visual aids did in fact fulfil their purpose, the drawbacks (being overly heavy, bulky, loud, and very noticeable, standing out amongst classroom peers) made them particularly uncomfortable to use, quickly rendering them obsolete in light of such a novel, ground breaking discovery.
On top of this, being able to search for a book and almost immediately having it readily available to read (both online and offline) levelled the playing field between myself and my peers, a stand-out feature which enriched my A-Level and University studies.
What Role did EasyReader Play During my Years at University?
I studied a joint honours in Modern Languages and English Literature, which, to no surprise, featured a rather extensive reading list.
Nevertheless, through the support of my university’s accessibility department, I had premium access to EasyReader and RNIB Bookshare, from which I could download my books to the EasyReader app and read them at my leisure. RNIB Bookshare also allows teachers and educators to set students reading lists, a feature which I was able to fully benefit from as an EasyReader user.
Not only this, but EasyReader’s extensive library list meant I also had access to RNIB Reading Services, which provides ‘talking books’ to blind and partially sighted people free of charge. These books range from known classics, academic literature, to current best-sellers in fiction, so I could be marvelling at the rhythmic verses of Shakespeare’s sonnets during one afternoon and relaxing with a much-anticipated thriller during another.
Note-taking and Bookmark Capabilities
A stand-out feature of EasyReader for me was the ability to make and edit bookmarks and notes in books of any supported format. This came in handy particularly when reading a novel on the go and needing a quick, efficient way to note down my thoughts and ideas whilst they were still fresh.
It helped me stay organised as I could then easily retrieve and compile them all when needed for an assignment.
Foreign Language Content and my Year Abroad
As part of my Modern Languages degree, I spent a year studying abroad and traveling around Europe. I was primarily based in Belgium, where I studied various degree-level subjects in French as well as deepening my knowledge of Spanish and taking Italian classes.
EasyReader was once again hugely advantageous throughout these endeavours as it also provides access to international libraries, which meant I had ample foreign language content to supplement my studies.
I was not in fact aware of this feature prior to signing up for the year abroad, and initially had concerns about how exactly I would be able to access my course materials in accessible formats, especially in a foreign country and university with completely different and unfamiliar accessibility regulations. However, discovering EasyReader’s multilingual capabilities soon put these worries to rest.
What Current Role Does EasyReader Play in my Day-to-Day?
As mentioned earlier, EasyReader has now become a core reading tool for me, even post-education. I frequently recommend it to friends, both sighted and visually impaired, due to its appealing universal design.
I also plan to use it to acquire new skills such as learning Arabic and brushing up on my braille music knowledge, as a first soprano in a Chamber Choir.
EasyReader has genuinely become a staple in my accessibility toolbox, and its intuitive interface simply makes for such a pleasant user experience.
I very much look forward to future developments of the app and how it will continue transforming reading and education for disabled students and beyond.
Learn More About EasyReader Education
You can empower all students with print disabilities at your university, college or school with EasyReader Education. Deploy across your whole setting to make reading and study accessible to all students with dyslexia, vision impairments and special educational needs - so they can reach their full potential. You'll see profound improvements across educational achievements and student wellbeing.
Book an appointment now with our Education Account Manager to talk about your requirements and learn more about how EasyReader Education impacts learning.
EasyReader Education gives students with print impairments the freedom to study on their own terms. It puts accessible textbooks, course materials and academic libraries right at their fingertips - in audio, large print or braille - so they can read comfortably, stay organised and keep up with the demands of student life. With EasyReader, students move through their modules with more confidence, more independence and far less stress.
For university disability support teams, and school SEND departments, EasyReader Education is easy to set up, so you can quickly remove the barriers that impact your students with additional needs. For teaching teams, it simplifies the delivery of accessible learning material, supports compliance with accessibility requirements and reduces the need for manual document conversions.
Most importantly, it helps you give every student a reliable, flexible reading solution that works across their entire course.
Find out more and arrange a demo and free trial with training >
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