Having the ability to capture and retain information is the foundation of success in the professional world. Whether struggling with complex lectures or attending professional meetings, many people can potentially benefit from stronger note-taking skills.
However, pen and paper sometimes present accessibility issues for some people. Disabilities that negatively impact accurate note-taking can be addressed note taking apps,
Disabilities that affect the process of taking notes
Note taking can become a time-consuming and frustrating task due to potential physical and mental limitations.
Here are some common examples:
dyslexia
It is a learning disability that affects the way the brain processes written language. People with dyslexia may have difficulty with reading speed, fluency, and comprehension, making it difficult for them to write notes while listening to lectures as well. People who suffer from dyslexia may miss important information because their notes are not good enough.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
People with ADHD often have difficulty concentrating on a speaker for long periods of time due to low working memory. This often results in incomplete notes and lack of understanding.
visual impairments
Reading handwritten notes or textbooks can be challenging for visually impaired people. Small fonts, low contrast and glare can become a significant hindrance to taking notes on paper.
motor skill loss
Conditions like arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, or even carpal tunnel syndrome can make writing notes by hand slow and painful. Hindering victims’ ability to obtain information quickly and efficiently.
A common theme is difficulty keeping up with the flow of information, processing written language, or physically recording and reconstructing handwritten notes.
Note taking apps are the bridge to efficient notes
Note-taking apps offer a variety of features that address these difficulties and help people with disabilities participate fully in the note-taking process. Here are just some of the features.
It offers multiple ways to input notes
The ability to choose the input format of notes can be extremely helpful for people who have disabilities related to fine motor skills. While writing notes with a stylus works like a pen, some may require keyboard input. Note-taking apps usually have the ability to select the onscreen keyboard as the primary input method, which can be of great help to those who have difficulty writing clearly using a pen. This is usually due to the position of their hands. Higher-end note-taking apps also include dictation in their interface, allowing users to take notes without having to type or write a single word.
Handwriting recognition in many different languages
Some of the best note taking applications have the ability to understand handwritten text. This handwritten text is then translated into electronic text. Once electronic, the notes become searchable files allowing smooth retrieval and extrapolation of information at a later stage. These files can be easily backed up to the cloud or printed when physical copies are needed. For those who suffer dysgraphia or ADHD, having notes available for perusal when the environment is less busy can make a big difference in retaining knowledge.
Onscreen Interface Settings
Having the ability to change the display settings of an electronic device has many benefits that also apply to note-taking apps. For someone who may have a visual disability, many of the settings on a note-taking app can help greatly in terms of accessibility.
- The interface becomes visible as it increases in size. Sizes such as font size or margin size are paired with the keyboard capability mentioned earlier.
- Increasing screen contrast. While most enjoy a color screen, others, such as those who have vision problems, may benefit from a high contrast screen set to dark mode. Greatly increases the readability of onscreen notes and text.
- Increase line spacing. Many users benefit from setting the line spacing more widely. Doing this reduces the crowd of words in the paragraph, which helps readers reduce eye strain.
conclusion
It should be obvious that having a note-taking application on a mobile device like the iPad is very useful in professional and educational settings. This can improve the quality of notes being taken and even more so for those who need assistance with access.
