34 percent of Brits did not have access to tech during education

A new report from communication technology specialist Texthelp has revealed interesting insights into the UK’s literacy challenges in education, and how technology can help overcome some of these barriers.

Although the report is largely aimed at people with learning difficulties like dyslexia and dyspraxia, the findings point towards the key role assistive and education technologies could play in better supporting people with learning difficulties.

Texthelp’s latest report, ‘Words Can’t Hold Us Back’, asked 2,000 Britons about their own reading, writing, and comprehension skills.

It reveals that many adults struggled with literacy during their education, and that there was a lack of available accessible technology to support them.

According to the report, 36 percent of respondents said they struggled with some form of literacy during their education, while one in five said they had difficulties with homework.

A third said they did not have access to technology hardware due to availability.

The report also provides insights into why people stopped seeking help with their reading, writing, and comprehension. Almost 20 percent said they were worried about being judged, 17 percent were unaware of the resources available, and 13 percent had concerns about the stigma associated with learning difficulties.

Other issues associated with literacy struggles cited by survey participants included challenges reading medical documents, difficulties understanding legal contracts, frustration filling out lengthy forms, and embarrassment when reading books aloud to their children.

While there were negative findings surrounding people’s literacy challenges during education, the report showed that access to education technologies has improved over time. One in five of those aged 45-54 said they had access to technology hardware in education compared to three in five of those aged 25-34.

The report reads: “We find these conclusions promising to see, especially that there has been an increase in technology available and used to make people feel supported.

“It’s also encouraging to see there is a growing need for technology within education to help with the reading, writing and comprehension difficulties.”

Texthelp sells a range of solutions that assist with communication, including a tool that helps read aloud unfamiliar words.

In an exclusive article for AT Today that relates to the subject of learning difficulties in education, Professor Jane Seale from the Open University discusses the journey to creating three different toolkits – one for support workers, one for managers, and one for people with learning disabilities – that help individuals with learning disabilities to use technology for greater inclusion, participation in society, and independence.