Disassist

Inspiration

The inspiration for Disassist came from a simple yet profound realization: the digital world is not designed for everyone, especially not for children with dyslexia. Recognizing the struggle these kids face every day with reading online, we were motivated to create a tool that not only aids their reading but also enhances their learning experience. Disassist is our answer to making the internet a more inclusive space for dyslexic learners. The goal is to bridge the gap of learning between people who struggle with dyslexia and other students.

What it does

Disassist is a Chrome extension that revolutionizes the way dyslexic children interact with text online. It changes standard fonts to dyslexia-friendly ones, employs AI to simplify complex words and phrases, and integrates text-to-speech technology for an interactive reading experience. Furthermore, it uses AI-generated imagery to provide visual context to words, making reading not just easier but also more engaging.

Ex: Common examples of what Disassist will do is differentiate words that dyslexic people often confuse. For example, applause and applesauce. Disassist will highlight the apple in applesauce to differentiate it. It will also highlight the pre in "prefect" to differentiate it from the word "perfect" etc etc. It makes it much easier to read and differentiate small changes.

How we built it

We built Disassist by integrating various cutting-edge technologies. We used a variable font like Dyslexiefont to make text more readable. AI, specifically custom GPT models and image-generation tools like DALL-E and Stable Diffusion, were employed to simplify language and create visual aids. Google Translate’s text-to-speech engine was integrated to add an auditory learning dimension. All these were combined into a user-friendly Chrome extension using a mix of JavaScript, HTML, and cloud technologies. We used GoDaddy for the domain, Google Cloud for DNS, MongoDB for account storing, and OpenAi for gpt/DALL-E

Challenges we ran into

Sleep deprivation. Appart from this, the biggest challenge was making sure the tolls were actually helpful and worked properly, ensuring that our word changes and image generations made them easier to read.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

It works! I called some of my dyslexic friends and many of them asked me for the final version, even stating how helpful it actually was. They specifically told me how much it would have helped them in high school, and how it can help save a lot of time and anxiety.

What we learned

Throughout the development of Disassist, we learned a great deal about the unique challenges faced by dyslexic learners. We gained insights into the power of AI in educational tools and the importance of inclusive design in software development. We also learned that user feedback is invaluable in creating a tool that truly meets the needs of its intended audience.

What's next for Disassist

Looking ahead, we aim to enhance Disassist’s capabilities further. This includes refining the OpenAI algorithms for even better word simplification and exploring additional languages to cater to a global audience. We also plan to introduce customizable settings to tailor the experience for individual learning preferences. Collaborating with educational institutions for wider distribution and impact is another key goal. Disassist is not just a Chrome extension; it's a stepping stone towards a more inclusive digital future for all learners.