Unicorn Roots

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  • Silver Linings –– Assistive Technology, Part 3

    Speechify

    Most people know the term dyslexia, even if they find it ironic that it isn’t spelled phonetically. Most also know that it refers to people who have a uniquely hard time reading and writing. Well, I’m one of those people. One of the approximately 40 million US adults who struggle to read and write. That’s right, I’m a blogger who has a hard time reading and writing about the research that I use in my own articles. But I’m far from alone. Approximately one in ten people have dyslexia. Yet, only around 5% of these 40 million US adults actually have a proper diagnosis. For the rest of us, free assistive technology has to fill in wherever possible. This is where things like auto-correct, audiobooks, screen readers, and the Speechify app make life bearable (Zauderer, 2026).

    For context, of the more than 40 million US adults with dyslexia, around 2 million have a formal diagnosis. Approximately 20% of students have a learning disability that concerns language processing, and the most common learning disability is dyslexia. Some statistics state that diagnoses skew heavily towards men and boys. While this is true, it most likely reflects evaluation processes that have historically favored men and boys. Other statistics have shown that women and girls are equally affected by dyslexia (Zauderer, 2026).

    The broader picture is even more damning. Around 5% of US adults are functionally illiterate and roughly 25% read below a 6th-grade level. More than 80% of people with dyslexia struggle with organization, planning, punctuality, and focus. Around 80% of people in general falsely assume dyslexia is a cognitive disability or connected to one, likely because of its strong correlation with other neurodiversities. For example, 30% of dyslexic kids also have ADHD, and it has been shown to run in families. However, more than 20% of people with dyslexia work in computer science, arts, economics, mathematics, mechanics, and sports (Zauderer, 2026).

    But let’s not stop there. More than 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic. Albert Einstein was dyslexic. With proper accommodations, successful learning is almost guaranteed. Dyslexia simply affects how words are interpreted and processed phonologically, affecting how a person reads, speaks, spells, and learns new languages. These processing differences may explain why people with dyslexia tend to be more creative thinkers, which may also explain why so many of us gravitate to the arts. Celebrity examples include people like Richard Branson, Steven Spielberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Anderson Cooper, Tom Holland, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom. One quick search will tell you all about Jamie Oliver and his success in the face of crippling dyslexia struggles (Boschen, 2024; Zauderer, 2026).

    All of these statistics speak to why I reviewed Speechify. I could go on for ages about the adaptations and accessibility that have helped me throughout my life, but I’ll try to focus on Speechify here. When I first heard about the app, I was almost in tears. An app that scans your book page by page and reads it to you, highlighting each word as it goes. I wished I’d had this when I was fighting through “simple” school books as a pre-teen and teen.

    I tried the free version in college and again recently, and it definitely sped up my reading. There were a dozen voices to choose from, and I loved it. My free six-month trial period started immediately via email. I uploaded a few books and marveled at the sense of ease it gave me. Then I hit the paywall. 

    What was left on the free plan was a robotic voice with significantly lower quality than the free screen reader included on my phone and computer. My other options were also limited. I could buy a book through their store. I could scan some of the barcodes on other books. Or I could scan in books, page by page. By the time I’d done that, I was ready to buy the audiobook and return the print copy, or give in and pay the $139 for the premium membership. Honestly, I wish I could give this a better review. If the paywall were a little easier to climb, I’d be campaigning for the company myself. But for now, I recommend buying and borrowing ebooks and audiobooks through other means. The concept is great, and I hope that in the future I can come back and write Speechify a glowing review (Speechify Inc, 2026).

    Resources: 

    Boschen, J. (2024). Famous People with Dyslexia: A List for Students and Teachers. What I Have Learned. https://whatihavelearnedteaching.com/famous-people-with-dyslexia/

    Speechify Inc. (2026). About. Speechify. https://speechify.com/about/

    Zauderer, S. (2026). 33 Dyslexia Statistics & Facts: How Many People Have Dyslexia. Cross River Therapy. https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/dyslexia-statistics 

  • Wabi-Sabi & Disability

    Wabi-Sabi & Disability

    Photo credit: (Japan Daily, 2025)

    This year, discussions about what is and isn’t “natural” in humanity have intensified; often directed at the LGBTQ+ community and transgender people in particular. But many disabilities have been getting the short end of the stick as well. With anti-vax protests, abortion rights debates, threats to same-sex marriage rights, and now the ADA coming under fire, it’s hard to turn a blind eye. Of course, I would be the last person to advocate for ignoring the problem, which is exactly why I believe a Wabi-Sabi view on life can help us now.

    Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese cultural philosophy centered on the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. The name comes from two Japanese words: wabi, a humble appreciation of authentic simplicity, and sabi, the beauty that often comes with aging and wear. Together, the Wabi-Sabi philosophy places a high value on acceptance, humility, and the natural rhythms of life. In other words, true beauty is found in life’s imperfections (Wantanabe, 2025).

    The philosophy and many of its practices are deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism and the medieval Japanese tea ceremony, likely emerging during the 14th to 16th centuries. Some sources attribute its emergence specifically to tea master Sen no Rikyu, who favored rustic pottery and natural materials over the ornate designs popular at the time. This is likely where the practice of Kintsugi comes in, a practice in which broken pottery is repaired with a gold lacquer to highlight the cracks and celebrate the imperfections, rather than being restored to its original state (Wantanabe, 2025; Eichinger, 2024).

    Other Wabi-Sabi practices include boro, a type of indigo-dyed patchwork that embraces the repaired reuse of fabric, and sashiko, a visible mending practice with unique tools and stitching patterns. Broadly speaking, Wabi-Sabi teaches us to “take time to notice the subtle moments” in daily life. We can do this by choosing handmade items where possible and repairing old clothes rather than replacing them, and recognizing that each tear or crack has a story behind it (Wantanabe, 2025; James, 2020). For this reason, I also feel that tattoos can be a form of Wabi-Sabi, especially when they incorporate existing scars.

    Many of these practices started with working-class families as practical daily necessities before they were embraced and appreciated by the wealthy. Sashiko was used to embellish and repair clothing that couldn’t be replaced. Similarly, boro extended the life of existing clothing using scraps of fabric, seen as shameful by the upper classes precisely because of its necessity. Today, these practices are recognized for their appreciation of imperfection and environmentally friendly approach to daily life (James, 2020).

    Kintsugi has even been used as a metaphor for healed wounds. Buddhism teaches three main principles of existence: anicca (impermanence), dukkha (suffering), and anatta (absence of self), summarized in Japanese Zen Buddhism as “all beings in their natural state.” Wabi-Sabi builds on this with its seven aesthetic principles: kanso (simplicity), datsuzoku (freeness), seijaku (tranquility), ygen (subtle grace), fukinsei (asymmetry or irregularity), shibumi (beauty of the understated), and shizen (naturalness without pretension). But at its heart is authenticity, displaying and celebrating flaws rather than avoiding them (Nash, 2021).

    Nash (2021) also suggests several practical ways to embrace a Wabi-Sabi lifestyle. Some of their suggestions are definitely a challenge for me, such as embracing minimalism and slow, mindful eating. Others, such as focusing on natural products rather than synthetics and appreciating the signs of aging in all things, have become much easier over time. I also practice Kintsugi as a metaphor in therapy, using trauma and negative situations as a source of growth while seeing the scars as evidence of resilience. Some suffering is inevitable, but with the right support, we can all learn to honor the process and find our own golden lacquer (Nash, 2021).

    Another helpful practice in our modern world is Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. Research has shown that spending time in nature can help improve blood pressure, autonomic and immune function, and overall mental health. PositivePsychology.com even offers a free downloadable ebook that provides five exercises for embracing imperfections in the spirit of Wabi-Sabi (Nash, 2021). As the philosophy reminds us, a disability is only a disability when it’s compared to other ways of being.

    Disability should not be seen as a flaw or imperfection to avoid. It is a natural part of human experience that can begin at any time and evolve throughout life. Disabled people navigate natural and man-made obstacles every day: everyday objects and different types of terrain can affect mobility devices in different ways, visual signals affect how blind people interact with the sighted world, and audible signals do the same for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. And yet, “by embracing imperfection, you cultivate gratitude and peace in a world that often demands perfection” (Wantanabe, 2025; Moonan, 2023).

    For neurodiverse people like myself, a sense of predictability and routine can be essential to feeling safe, and nature is often more predictable than people are. Although nature is inherently imperfect, its imperfections are often easier to make sense of and can feel less threatening for neurodiverse individuals. This concept creates its own ironic sense of Wabi-Sabi that simultaneously asks us to acknowledge similarities and appreciate differences. The relative uniformity of a forest can be enchanting. Yet, each tree is different from the next, keeping things interesting; if they were the same, there would be no need to keep looking (Eichinger, 2024).

    References

    Eichinger, B. (2024). Wabi-Sabi and Neurodivergence. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wabi-sabi-neurodivergence-bob-eichinger-olbic/

    James (2020). A Primer on Wabi-Sabi — The Japanese Love of Decay. Heddels. https://www.heddels.com/2020/01/a-primer-on-wabi-sabi-the-japanese-love-of-decay/

    Japan Daily (2025). Kintsugi: The Art of Embracing Brokenness and Finding Beauty. Japan Daily. https://japandaily.jp/kintsugi-the-art-of-embracing-brokenness/

    Moonan, J. (2023). Tea Class Recap: Wabi Sabi Through the Lens of Disability. The Cultured Cup. https://www.theculturedcup.com/blogs/blogs/tea-class-recap-wabi-sabi-through-the-lens-of-disability

    Nash, J. (2021). The Wabi Sabi Lifestyle: How to Accept Imperfection in Life. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/wabi-sabi-lifestyle/

    Wantanabe, A. (2025). Wabi Sabi: Meaning, History, and Traditions. Joyn Tokyo. https://joyn.tokyo/life-guide/culture/wabi-sabi-meaning

  • Silver Linings — Assistive Technology, Part 2

    Silver Linings — Assistive Technology, Part 2

    Ava

    As someone with sensory processing difficulties, I have always relied on multisensory learning to properly process information. Multisensory learning (or multisensory instruction) is primarily associated with classroom support for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia, but its value doesn’t end there. Typically, information is given in a single form: visual or auditory. A high school teacher assigns reading and asks for a summary of the author’s message. A college professor lectures and assigns the students an essay on the topic. This works well enough for neurotypical, able-bodied students (Roberts Academy, 2025). But what about someone who processes information differently? What about someone who is deaf and/or blind?

    There are several ways to accommodate different processing styles depending on the format. Some lessons can incorporate additional visual or tactile options, like using blocks and coins for math or letter tracing for language learning. This was actually one of the reasons I learned basic American Sign Language (ASL) growing up. In my adult life, I’ve made a habit of asking people to write things down even when they have already told me verbally. I could then read it to myself, have someone read it to me, or use an app like Speechify to read along. Yes, I’ll review Speechify too! For some books, I can also get both a physical copy and an audiobook to follow along with.

    Even with these aids, I can hit a wall when my lectures or Zoom meetings don’t include a transcript. And let’s be honest, how often are transcripts high quality or fully accessible? Rarely. This is where apps like Ava come in, both for people like me and for the Deaf community. People who are deaf or hard of hearing often rely on subtitles and interpreters for everyday communication outside Deaf spaces, missing out on the subtle nuances of live conversation. It’s also nearly impossible to distinguish between speakers when multiple people are talking at the same time. And filling them in later often means losing a lot of the emotion and details, making for an isolating experience.

    Ava addresses this directly. With just a smartphone and a Wi-Fi signal, users with hearing and sensory processing difficulties can participate in real time. Both free and paid versions allow multiple participants, distinguishing between speakers by assigning each a unique caption color and name label. For users who prefer to be discreet, Ava has an optional incognito mode. Across all versions, additional features include saved quick replies, adjustable font sizes, and automatically saved data and transcripts. As if that weren’t enough, the company also provides a professional ASL interpreting service, currently in beta.

    All versions also allow users to filter out profanity and choose a specific voice to read out their text. Users can choose from one of Ava’s automated voices or record and use their own. The American English options include male, female, and gender-neutral options. Male options are Storyteller Steve, described as “engaging and dynamic,” and Deep David, described as “calm and resonant.” Female options are Melody Harper, “narrative and dedicated,” and Articulate Anna, “confident and articulate.” Gender-neutral options are Scholarly Sam, “thoughtful and confident,” and Cultured Jamie, “methodical and meticulous.” On my free account, I chose Scholarly Sam for my desktop and Samantha, the free female American voice available on my iPhone. Unfortunately, the only free male voice options available on my iPhone were Daniel (UK) and Rishi (India).

    An important point to note is that the site itself doesn’t list pricing options for its paid plans directly. To find this, I had to either contact Ava or search for it separately. I eventually found that a personal premium account gives users three 40-minute sessions per month, with additional time available for $4.99 per hour. Subscription options start at $8 per month for an annual plan or $10 per month for a monthly plan, both with a captioning accuracy of up to 90%.

    Additionally, paid plans come in two tiers: Pro or Enterprise. As one might expect, Enterprise accounts are designed for organizations with larger teams and/or greater accessibility needs. Both tiers include on-demand scribe requests (with 24 hours’ notice for Pro and 6 hours for Enterprise), reduced captioning delay, color-coded speaker captioning in private Ava Room, Wi-Fi-free mobile connections, and a range of other helpful features. Enterprise accounts also offer an additional secure single sign-on, a dedicated scribe, advanced admin tools, and premium support. Nonprofit organizations can also apply for a discount, and a vocabulary boost add-on is available with premium accounts for an additional $14.99 per month.

    Resources

    Ava (2025). Captions for All. Ava.me. https://www.ava.me/

    Roberts Academy (2025). What is Multisensory Instruction in the Orton-Gillingham Approach? Mercer University. https://robertsacademy.org/what-is-multisensory-instruction-in-the-orton-gillingham-approach/