24/08/2009 - Launch of The OmniRead website.
Peter Irons used to work with a company called Tintavision which eventually folded but this work went into OmniRead which is about to be launched with Beta testing of the software to commence in around two weeks time.
A superb highly talented team from different disciplines has been developing the facility over the past year. As the biophysics / biochemistry approach behind asfedic tuning was mathematically based the last year has been spent developing and writing an algorithm. This together with a 'clever'/'intelligent' website interface will be able to provide an online service from this autumn. The programme will even talk to you as you do the test!!!
Due to automation the client costs have been reduced such that a series of 3 tests will cost only £10.
There will still be a 1:1 service available for people whose difficulties are too complex for the algorithm to cope with or want to take it further. Some universities are talking about using the online service as a base level service and then referring on under DSA for a 1:1 to ensure that specific issues relevant to the student can be taken into account. The consultations are considered really valuable by the students trying to make sense of their unique experiences and how to deal with them. But this will make the technology available to a huge swath of the student body which in the past could not access the service.
Many specialists are suggesting that it should be a part of the pre-course screening that goes on in FE and HE, similar to the way systems such as StudyScan are used, but with the advantage of a real and very usable 'instant' gain to each student.
Because each student will be able to test themselves on the computer / screen which they normally use it will be very 'specific ' to them.
Appropriate supporting filters will be available either by post or perhaps on sale in the college shops.
The database has technical information on around 10,000 dyslexic adults and the outcomes of using this approach. Possibly the biggest database on this issue which exists.
Peter Irons started work in this area in 1984 - 25 years ago and is very pleased with these developments.
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