Many dyslexic students arrive at university carrying memories of school that were not always easy. Words that seemed to rearrange themselves on the page. The effort of decoding text leaving little energy for actually understanding it. Despite years of recognition in education, too many dyslexic people still feel they did not get the support they needed.
Studying with dyslexia at university brings its own set of challenges, and a never-ending reading list. Tailo is built to help. Whether you are a dyslexic student looking for better reading tools, or a needs assessor exploring what Tailo offers, here is what you need to know.
What is Tailo?
Tailo is a web-based AI study platform built for neurodivergent students. It transforms dense academic documents into a readable, accessible format, pulling out key content clearly, supporting comprehension, and adapting to the way different minds work.
How does Tailo help dyslexic students?
Transforms Busy Documents Into a Readable Format
Dyslexic brains can struggle with phonemic awareness – decoding words like ‘d’ and ‘b’ – which means so much energy goes into reading that comprehension is lost. Tailo’s reading tools for dyslexia address this directly:
- AI summaries pull out the key content from any document
- Highlight any word to get an instant plain-English definition
- Content, images, tables, and diagrams are extracted and presented in a clear, ordered layout
Creates a Customised Reading Environment
Tailo’s dyslexia tools for reading let you build a display environment that actually works for you:
- Choose dyslexia-friendly fonts and adjust font size
- Change background colour and text colour to reduce visual stress
- Adjust line spacing and reading width
- Tailo saves your preferences and applies them to every document automatically
Helps You Work Out if a Text Is Worth Reading
Skim-reading is hard for dyslexic students. Tailo removes that barrier:
- Document overviews and summaries give you the key argument before you read
- Advanced search lets you find relevant sections without reading the whole paper
- Estimated reading times help you plan your sessions realistically
Study skills for students with dyslexia
Problem: So much energy goes into decoding that comprehension suffers.
Solution: Start with Tailo’s summary to grasp the argument before tackling the full paper.
Problem: Reading the same line three times and still not absorbing it.
Solution: Switch to Read Aloud and listen instead of decoding.
Problem: An unfamiliar word or phrase is blocking your understanding.
Solution: Highlight it and get a plain-English explanation on the spot.
Problem: Tabs, downloads, and half-finished notes everywhere.
Solution: Use Projects to organise everything by assignment so nothing gets lost.
Problem: Not sure if a paper is even worth your time.
Solution: Check the summary first and save close reading for texts that actually matter.
Read more: What University Reading Lists Get Wrong About Dyslexic Students →
Where can I get access to Tailo?
Tailo is available free of charge to eligible UK students through the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). DSA is a government grant covering the extra costs of studying with a disability, including assistive technology like Tailo.
To access Tailo via DSA:
- Apply for DSA through Student Finance (England, Wales, or Scotland)
- Attend your needs assessment and ask for Tailo specifically
- Receive your fully funded Tailo licence
DSA is available to all UK higher education students at level 4 or above with a qualifying disability under the Equality Act 2010.
Start Studying With Dyslexia Differently
Tailo gives dyslexic students a reading environment that adapts to them, not the other way around. Free to try for a full semester, or fully funded through DSA.