Coloured Reading Rulers
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Do you or your child suffer experienced blurred letters on a page when you are tired? Do you or your child struggle to read or suffer frequently from headaches or migraines? Many children and adults benefit from the use of a correctly selected coloured reading ruler. Sometimes changing colour can help soften the black print when eyes are tired. Many teachers use these sets to test with students for the most helpful colour. Available in multicolour packs; 5 rulers per pack: aqua blue, grass green, yellow, pink and purple 10 rulers per pack: aqua blue, sky blue, grass green, celery green, jade green, magenta, yellow, pink, orange and purple Coloured Reading Rulers - A multi-coloured pack of 5 or 10 rulers |
SCHOOL ORDERS ONLY.
Schools if
you require a tax invoice please email
your order rather than use the online ordering
system. Payment would then be on receipt of the
invoice obtained with the delivered goods. Email
your order to karen@dyslexiasupportservices.com.au Phone:
0402225051
Many children and adults benefit from the use of a correctly selected coloured reading ruler. Available in multicolour packs, 5 rulers per pack or 10 rulers with different colours and shades.
What Difference do Coloured Reading Rulers make?
- By putting a coloured reading ruler on top of a book, the print can stop blurring or suddenly it becomes clear and much easier to read.
- When a person has the right tint, a number of aspects of reading can improve, including reading speed if you can see the print clearly. This in turn can affect fluency and comprehension.
- When a person struggles to read and spends more time decoding words and rereading; it can make the print blur. Putting a colour on top can soften the print and make it easier on the eye.
- Many individuals who use coloured reading rulers have reported a reduction in headaches and migraines.
- These rulers are not necessarily intended for poor readers. They can help when your eyes become tired, as black ink on a white background can be quite stark and glaring, as can trying to read something that has a gloss laminate. They serve to soften the look of the print.
Apple and Microsoft research has lead to coloured tints for reading being offered as accessibility features on devices such as iPads and iPhones and programs such as Microsoft Immersive Reader.
What do Users think?
Adults and children I have used coloured reading rulers
with have made comments such as:
“The print has stopped blurring, how can that happen?”
“My child now uses the coloured reading rulers at home and
at school and, not only have we all seen significant
progress in his reading ability because he can actually see
the letters, but he now actually enjoys
reading.”
“Is this how everyone else sees print? No wonder I found
reading so difficult.”
When I have used the coloured reading rulers in class with children who have reading difficulties, some children say the colour change, 'Stops the words shimmering', and 'makes the letters look bigger and clearer.’
Which Colour is right for me?
There is no one colour that suits each person. However most people find that yellow or blue are the most effective ones for them. That is why each pack of 5 reading rulers contains the two most effective shades of blue, yellow and also rose (the primary colours). By blending the primary colours you can make most colours.
The Coloured Reading Ruler
The Reading Ruler is a 2.5” deep plastic strip with tinted transparent edges and an opaque central area that allows the reader to read through the colour of their choice while tracking the line with the edge of the strip. (See photo).
There are 2 windows. The narrow window, this is suited
to early readers as the focus is confined. The wider window
allows readers to see a larger amount of text. The aim is
to read from the tracking line down so that it is possible
to scan ahead.
Because the Reading Ruler can slip into a pocket or pencil
case, or even remain inside the book as a bookmark, it does
not carry the “Special Needs” stigma of a full size
coloured reading ruler.
About 40% of schools in England now use these Reading Rulers as part of their accommodation strategy for students with reading difficulties.
How can they be used?
In many schools teachers keep a selection of reading rulers on their desk or in a common resource area, and children - not always those with reading difficulties, either- just help themselves to “their” colour when needed.
- Any class teacher or teacher with responsibility for special needs who suspects a child may be suffering from visual stress can use them to test whether they do make a difference to how the child sees the print.
- Parents purchase a set for their child to use at home. Some parents get two sets, one for home and one for school.
- Employers get sets for themselves and their employees.
- Adults who experience migraines, frequent headaches or have to concentrate on reading over a long period of time use them at work and at home.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
November 2014: Karen Starkiss received an email from someone who was at a workshop she ran about creating ‘Inclusive” schools. This is what she wrote:
I attended the presentation you gave at a Primary school in Canberra earlier this year. I loved the way you gave your talk and what you had to say. My brother was diagnosed with dyslexia about 4 years ago, he is 41. He has only read one proper novel in his life and it took him about a year to do it. After I heard what you had to say I got straight on to the website and bought a set of five reading rulers and sent them to him. He received the rulers and gave them a go. He found the yellow ruler was the one for him. He was blown away by the effect it had on the writing in front of him. He said it was like someone else was reading for him. He was amazed as am I. He couldn't thank me enough. So in turn, I am writing to thank you. He struggled terribly at school and I just wish his dyslexia had have been picked up when he was very young. I wish I could turn time back for him but with his new discovery hopefully he can start to enjoy reading and learning from now on.