For people with disabilities, writing can be a challenging experience. From dictation tools to software innovations, plenty of writing assistance tools can help make writing an easier task. But which forms of writing help work the best?
Read on to learn 5 tips for writing assistance!
1. Use Visuals to Organize Ideas
Use visuals to your advantage when you need assistance with writing. You can do this on a computer — or just with pen and paper. Color coding ideas and mapping them out on a paper is a great place to start.
After this initial step, it will be easier to organize ideas in a logical manner. And don’t be afraid to grab another sheet of paper and revise with new colors before tackling an essay!
2. Writing Apps Can Help with Clarity
If you struggle with finding the right words to communicate a thought, there are apps to help. Sites like Grammarly and Hemingway App offer an easy way to pare down clunky sentences and enhance readability.
For those unable to catch sentence fragments, these apps will highlight them. Additionally, these apps will eliminate fluffy sentences and redundancies. They’ll also pinpoint confusing phrases or punctuation errors.
3. Turn to Dictation Tools for Writing Assistance
Sometimes speaking your words can be a great way to get your thoughts down on paper — or a computer screen. Use the dictation tool on your computer to do this. Best of all, you’ll give your hands a break and avoid hand cramps.
The gist of dictation is simple. When a person speaks their words, they will appear on the screen. For someone who struggles to use a keyboard, this tool offers an easy way to transfer ideas to paper.
4. Take Advantage of Spellcheck
One of the best writing tools is a spellcheck application. Most computers have this function built into writing software. You can use a thesaurus function, too, to improve word choice and clarify meaning.
If you don’t feel like you’re getting the writing help that you need to be successful in your job, there is help available. The attorneys at sweetlaw.com can help ensure that you get the benefits you deserve.
5. Writing Help May Mean Finding the Right Keyboard
Look for the best keyboard or touch-screen option, too, when you’re seeking writing assistance tools. For some people, writing by hand is a challenging process. The act of typing or touching a screen may be more intuitive.
And if you’re not sure what the best tool is for the job, an occupational therapist may be able to help. They’ll know what makes sense given an individual’s specific needs — and it might not even involve technology. Sometimes the best choice may be as simple as a pencil with a better grip.
Get Help with Writing
With the right writing assistance, it’s possible for people with disabilities to overcome barriers. Starting with color-coded ideas can add clarity. And following up with digital writing tools, like a grammar app, can help you finetune your writing.
To discover more writing tips, check back for new articles!
