When Kris Parmelee’s son was diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade, her first response was denial. Then, fear. How could such a bright boy, who had learned to talk at such a young age, possibly be dyslexic?

In the years that followed, Kris tried many techniques and therapies, worked with committed teachers and joined support groups in an effort to cope with young Sam’s dyslexia. While Sam has made great strides, Kris still noticed a gap.

“Why were there not more assistive technology options for him to use in school?” she said. “Why couldn’t someone or something just help him read that one word on a worksheet or in a text that he couldn’t read himself?”

Kristen researched an assistive technology app specifically designed to meet the needs of children with dyslexia at home, in the classroom and in the community. When a student comes across a word they can’t decode, they simply scan the word or sentence with their mobile device or tablet and the app “reads” the word back to them. The app aims to help students with dyslexia read without the assistance of a tutor, parent or teacher.