How to Make Reading Accessible for All Students

The importance of accessible reading during the National Year of Reading

This year's National Year of Reading encourages us to read more about the things that we already love. Designed to encourage reading for pleasure and learning, this major campaign is led by the Department for Education, and delivered with support from organisations including the National Literacy Trust. This initiative aims to make reading more inclusive and engaging. It invites schools, families, libraries and communities to 'Go All In' and explore books, audiobooks, poetry, graphic novels and other formats that inspire curiosity and learning.

If traditional, print-based books aren't your thing, or you find them difficult or impossible to read, you might ask: What are these 'other formats'?  Where can I read them? Where do I find them? How exactly can I read them?

Put simply, accessible formats break down the barriers to reading. It means anyone who wants to read a book, research a subject, enjoy a story, - or any other reading material - can do so, in a way that works for them.  If print-based reading material is difficult or impossible to read, a reader might choose to read with audio, it might be larger fonts, or a different colour text or background, it might be tactile reading or a mixture of any of these. Together, we can help make that happen for any individual reader.  

The Importance of Reading for Pleasure

In addition to being a fundamental skill, reading is also a key factor in wellbeing, confidence and academic success. The National Literacy Trust reports that children and young people who read for enjoyment are twice as likely to have above-average reading skills compared to those who do not. Reading supports vocabulary development, comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy. Students who engage with books regularly are better prepared for learning across the curriculum and are more likely to succeed in life beyond school.

Research also shows that reading contributes to mental wellbeing. Nearly 60 percent of young people report that reading helps them relax, and almost half say it makes them happy or increases their confidence. In todays' fast-paced society, reading provides a vital space for reflection, focus, and emotional resilience.

Despite these benefits, fewer than one in three children and young people aged 8 to 18 read for pleasure regularly, while fewer than one in five report reading every day.  The National Year of Reading seeks to reverse this trend by highlighting the joy of reading and promoting lifelong reading habits.

Students with Print Disabilities Face Barriers to Reading

While many children have opportunities to enjoy reading, students with print disabilities can face significant obstacles. Print disabilities may include:

• Vision impairment or blindness

• Dyslexia, ADHD or other neurodivergence

• Physical disabilities that make handling books difficult

These students may find standard print books inaccessible. Without support, they risk missing out on the educational, social and emotional benefits of reading that other students experience. Addressing this gap is essential for inclusive education and equal learning opportunities.

Accessibility Makes Reading Possible for All Students

Accessible reading ensures that every student can enjoy books in ways that work for them. This includes digital formats, audiobooks, text-to-speech tools, enlarged or dyslexia-friendly fonts, high-contrast displays and read-aloud highlighting. Accessibility is not an optional feature; it is a requirement for inclusive education and equitable access to literacy.

Technology has transformed accessibility in schools and for independent reading. One of the most effective tools for students with print disabilities is Dolphin EasyReader.

How Dolphin EasyReader Supports Students with Print Disabilities

Dolphin EasyReader is an accessible reading app that provides students with print disabilities the tools they need to read independently. The app connects to multiple accessible book libraries, including the RNIB Bookshare Education Collection, Calibre Audio, and other international collections including Bookshare in the USA, CELA in Canada, Vision Australia and the Accessible Books Consortium which covers a range of countries. In fact, the EasyReader Library Partners list now includes 50 libraries around the world. In the UK, RNIB Bookshare Education Collection offers over a million titles free, for students with dyslexia, vision impairments or other print disabilities. 

EasyReader Education allows students to:

• Adjust text size and font, including dyslexia-friendly options

• Select background colours and high-contrast modes for visual comfort

• Listen to text-to-speech audio with synchronised highlighting of words and lines

• Choose natural-sounding voices and adjust the reading speed

• Navigate independently, search within books and bookmark pages

These features ensure that students can read in the way that works best for them, whether for curriculum learning or reading for pleasure.

An EasyReader Education 30-day trial is now available for schools, colleges and universities. 
This includes access to the free CPD-accredited training course: Accessible Reading for Educators