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Assistive technology for dyslexia and dysgraphia: tools to ask for in an IEP
Under IDEA, the IEP team must consider whether a child needs assistive technology. When the IEP lists assistive technology, the school provides it at no cost to the family.
Last verified: Oct 2026
This is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Text to speech
What to ask for: Ask whether your child can have text read aloud for class work, homework, and tests, and on which devices.
- Read&Write (Everway, formerly Texthelp)
Toolbar with read aloud, word prediction and dictionary.
Helps: Students who need reading and writing support. Cost: Often school licensed.
- Microsoft Immersive Reader
Read aloud, line focus and spacing tools built into Microsoft apps.
Helps: Readers who benefit from audio and visual supports. Cost: Free with Microsoft apps.
- Apple Speak Screen and Speak Selection
Built-in text to speech on iPhone and iPad.
Helps: Students using Apple devices. Cost: Free.
Accessible books and audiobooks
What to ask for: Ask the school to sign your child up for an accessible book service and to provide textbooks in that format.
- Bookshare
Accessible ebooks.
Helps: U.S. students with qualifying print disabilities. Cost: Free for qualifying U.S. students.
- Learning Ally
Human-read audiobooks for students with print disabilities.
Helps: Students with dyslexia and other print disabilities. Cost: Paid membership; many schools provide it.
Speech to text (dictation)
What to ask for: Ask whether your child can dictate written work instead of handwriting or typing it.
- Google Docs voice typing
Dictation built into Google Docs.
Helps: Students who struggle to get ideas onto the page. Cost: Free.
Math tools
What to ask for: Ask about tools that read math aloud or let your child dictate or type equations.
- EquatIO (Everway)
Math input and read aloud tool.
Helps: Students with reading or writing barriers in math. Cost: Often school licensed.
Accessible materials guidance
What to ask for: Ask how the school decides which accessible formats your child gets and who provides them.
- AEM Center at CAST
Guidance on accessible educational materials and technology.
Helps: Families and school teams. Cost: Free.
Looking for apps to try at home? See apps and tools for kids with dyslexia.