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 Valkyrie wrote:
In excuse to not worry instead of trying to improve their spelling and grammar.

Having thought about it I don't think a button is a good idea and think it will cause more problems, however, I felt I should highlight this... This is exactly the problem dyslexics face every day. A complete misunderstanding of what the problem is, as if it can be fixed by just trying a bit harder. Saying things like this is equivalent to saying someone in a wheelchair needs to try harder at walking.

Forum users low for most dyslexics .

My personal experience has shown that wargamers have a higher percentage of us than the general populace.

No reference point for what it is like to be a non-dyslexic so for me its par for the course..took many years of training when I was young to cope. None of that training involved forums cause the internet did not exist then..The concept of a BBS was just that a Concept.. But having folk tell me to try harder ..yea right .I am a 45 year old disabled vet ..Why should I have to ...

I would like to add to the praise for your personal excellent grammar and spelling.

I think you have some wonderful ideas on how to deal with this dificulty. The problem is getting the resources to implement them. It requires a person spending time (and/or money) to put some of those changes in. I would recommend that you encourage the signature comments, and pursue the highlighted text to assist in that effort. While it would be very nice to get the check box upon account creation, it would require a high amount of effort compared to the pay off.

What I am trying to say is that in theory you have excellent ideas. However, practicality suggests that the ideas that can be implemented by the user will have the most success.

Cheers! Keep up the good work!

Ill be honest here, bollocks to anyone who knocks you for it.
Granted spelling and grammar may be important to some, but i really dont mind it.
Aslong as its not "chatspeak" i dont care.
Usually, incorrect spelling is easy enough to work out.
Also, people seem to think everyone speaks native english here for some reason?
I dont think they understand that dakka has members from just about every part of the world

I'm dyslexic as well. I am a new user so do not know what social problems that dakkadakka has. However I have been an admin and mod on other forums.

Personally I use firefoxes spell check, when something is red and I know it's right, I run it through google. (Who has a KILLER good spell check)

If you are getting bothered, I think putting a little notice as well as a definition of dyslexia in your signature (maybe even make it bolder that the rest of the sig) will go a long way.

If there was an easy way to add an option at registration then I would jump right on it. But that actually will take quite a bit of re-coding for the site and a lot of time to do it.

It might not be as hard for them to add a mouseover definition (I believe) so this is a more reasonable suggestion, one that I would be happy to put my little weighted support behind.

Honestly, I think the best course of action is a note in the signature.

Personally using a browsers spell-check is the best option (Though I'm not dyslexic so go figure...)
I find it's worse if someone is using a mobile device...
That's far worse.

Well I understand that the programming for the check box suggestion is time consuming so it might be such a beneficial proposal. I will suggest the dyslexic in the mouse over forum.

 Niiai wrote:
Well I understand that the programming for the check box suggestion is time consuming so it might be such a beneficial proposal. I will suggest the dyslexic in the mouse over forum.

I'm not entirely sure if they can change the registration forms to have a dyslexic checkbox and mouse-over, but if it can be changed then I don't imagine it'd be very difficult to implement, and don't see a good excuse on why it is a bad idea.

Hey guys, thanks for all the commentary. I have been keeping up with this thread but didn't have my thoughts really formed on the subject enough to respond until now.

First off, I want to say that I sympathize with all the hassle that you guys have to go through, especially when dealing with a text-only environment like an online forum. I would love to implement any fix or upgrade we could do that would make your lives a little easier.

However, the goal of the feature you suggest is ultimately to cut down on the potential animosity that can occur between you and other users (or moderators) due to spelling/grammar inconsistencies in your posts due to your disability. Unfortunately, after much contemplation, I do not think that adding a simple selection in your user profile would help to accomplish this goal.

You see, sad as it is to say, on the internet, people actually revel in creating mayhem. They often pretend to be women when they're really men to infuriate and confuse. They pretend to be in need to scam money, etc. It is just the terrible state of human nature combined with the anonymity that the internet provides.

By creating a simple check-box that someone can click to declare that they have dyslexia, it would actually help to encourage those who want to use the disability to troll others an easy way to do so. For example, someone signing up new to the site would scroll through their user profile settings for the first time, spot the 'I have dyslexia' check-box and think: 'well look, I can simply check that and then act like a douche-bag on purpose and just keep referencing back to the fact that I have dyslexia'.

Although I cannot know for sure, I do believe there have been at least a few incidents with users in the past who have maintained a facade of having dyslexia that likely do not have it. While we naturally have to give those people the benefit of the doubt (within reason), I think when you dangle the carrot in front of every users' face of just having a check-box to click, it actually helps to put that negative idea of trolling under the guise of dyslexia into their heads.

And once that trend starts (with people who aren't dyslexic clicking that box on purpose so they can troll), then very quickly the sentiment of users on the site towards that declaration would turn from sympathy to distrust, annoyance and potentially anger. In other words, the presence of such a thing would actually end up causing more discord and bad feelings towards those who really have dyslexia than help.

I know it is inconvenient and unfair to ask each user who has dyslexia to state as much in their forum signature using their own words, especially as some users disable the ability to see other peoples' signatures. However, I think the sentiments expressed personally in this way stand the VERY BEST chance of getting people to understand and sympathize with your plight. Because you have taken a bit of time to write it out yourself in your own words and because it is clear that you DO make a (fantastic) effort to overcome the limitations of your disability with each and every post then in those rare occasions where your posts do have spelling or grammar issues other users are much more likely to overlook and accept those errors in stride.


Thanks again for the feedback, and certainly feel free to respond to what I've said if you disagree.

Dakkadakka is actually a pretty good forum on the internet considering all the people that are using it compared to the moderation on this cite. Especial considering that it is done pro bono and the logistic complications of organising rules maintenance and a coherent front of guidelines. I was hoping there would be not to many trolls here, but I suppose my hopes where to optimistic. The regular moderating of these forums does mean that being a dyslectic is not such a big problem always, but ever so often it comes up.

I have suggested the mouse over though, supposable that it will help.

A debate on a subject usually leads to a greater awareness and focus on the subject. While it is dubious how many who check out the nuts and bolts section of the forum it would appear that some have read these posts at least. I will leave the link on the signature in my sign. While I am not a fan of thread necromancy it can function as an elephant graveyard where dyslectic frustration comes to die.

I know this thread is older than the sands of Egypt, BUT, I was wondering if you've tried any of the Speech to Text programs, there is one on the market that is pretty good from my understanding called Dragon. It's a little steep at 75 USD but it it works and saves you time and anguish, then that would be worth it right?


EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot to add http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm this is the link to the Dragon program.

Interesting idea, Tyael! I'd be very curious to see how Dragon spells Guilliman and other words!

Going back at this with a technical assist.

A font set was just released that allegedly assists people with dyslexia.

I don't have dyslexia so I can't functionally test it, but it's a free download so if someone wants to have a go, it might be worth a try.

You can change the default font in good web browsers, and also in IE.

A good quality spell check can help no end, mine can be a real life saver as it runs live and Fix's minor errors on the spot.
Just had to train it to some words like melta etc.

Also depending on preferred colours, picking the right theme can help no end. Some are far easier to read than others.

I know people mean well, but I actually find it slightly hurtful when someone talks about dyslexia like it is a disability, or something to be pitied. You would not think someone disabled because they are left-handed, even though they might seem handicapped in a right-handed world. I feel dyslexia is analogous to that. It's a different way of processing information but not necessarily a worse way.

I am dyslexic, and I have always struggled with spelling. A huge part of that, however, is because spelling in English is a mess of inconsistencies, with more exceptions than rules. My brain tries to find patterns and systems where there aren't any. It seems the only way to be good at spelling is to memorize all the words. To me this is a lot like memorizing thousands of phone numbers. Which aside from being difficult, is also kind of a dull thing to do. I feel almost vindicated in recent years, as mindless spell checkers have taken over responsibility for spelling. Perhaps spelling wasn't so clever after all? Though I am always genuinely impressed by other people's savant like ability to remember these long strings of letters so effortlessly. I need to use mnemonics and rhymes to recall many words.

I wouldn't change it though. I think dyslexia is a gift that has made me stronger in other areas, such as visual and creative thinking. These skills seem more valuable to me than spelling, and not something that can be left to computers. No one should feel sorry for me.

I agree with yakface's decision on this. If dakka did have this option, I don't know that I would want to tick it. I think I would worry that it would just be painting a target on me. Also I don't personally see dyslexia as an "excuse" for lazy posting and bad English. Yes, I'm more prone to mistakes, but if I want people to take my words seriously, then I know I need to take them at least as seriously, and make sure my writing is as good as I can get it, even though it might take me longer than most people.

I think the only thing on dakka that would make things easier for me would be a more discrete "this message was edited" message. That thing is like my nemesis on dakka! Always turning up and defacing my nice neat posts, and informing people how many times I had to edit them (usually too many). I find it much harder to see mistakes against the white background in the message window, so I usually find it easier to post and then edit with the double click feature. Perhaps something like that in the preview window would be helpful.

I saw his tag, sorry i'm i necro this.

As someone with double defiant disorder and no help from my parents or the school, and was punished for not doing my work, called a lair.

I literally couldnt read better than a 2-3rd grand level till in 8th grade when someone finally notice, i was angry at the school and my parents, i felt stupid, sad and didnt understand many things.

You dont know others hardships, there are many forms of it and degree's. Even to this day there are times i i'm reading and just cry b.c i couldnt finish/understand/see what i'm reading without re-reading it 10+ times.

No its not a left-handed person in a right handed world, its a world that is built the need to read for school, a job, college, internet etc.. and you just cant read, its one of the most important and basic skills you need in a modern world and you are on a lower end of that skill.

You might be bad at spelling, but i literally cant read 1/2 the time, i'm on forums reading and writing everyday to help me.


Im 32yrs old and still practicing spelling worlds everyday, at age 17 i learned how to spell enough and practice for 2 weeks just to make is consistent.

Tell me its not a disability when you have to practice weeks to spell a 2nd grade world.

Mine is not a gift, it has put me in depression many times, if you ever had a falling to your death dreams and woke up in a panic that is how reading felt for me.

Please dont say others dont have it bad b.c you dont.

Edit: I'm trying to fit my grammar.

Hey man, don't let it bog you down.

Make shure you have suportive people around you. I find that helps a lot. :-)

I dont anymore, i just want other to know just b.c it doesnt effect them in any way doesnt mean it works like that for others.

I am. Have had to learn to counter it all my life mostly without being diagnosed.

I use spell check both a specialised automatic software and inbuilt browser version to deal with my spelling issues.

And I'm torn on that, yes it is a open declaration to say give me a break, my spelling might not be perfect.

But I also worked for months. Years to improve my English, I guess it's also pride that I'm not wanting to be seen differently as any other poster on Dakka.

In the end, I think the most important think is to treat others with respect. This means you should be nice to others, no matter how their grammar is, or how well they spell. It also means you should make a reasonable effort to write concisely and correctly, but a reasonable effort doesn't give the same results for everyone.

I don't have dyslexia, but I know people who do, and dyslectics who have to write in English have nothing but respect from me. Written English seems like it was invented by a madman.

 Cream Tea wrote:
In the end, I think the most important think is to treat others with respect. This means you should be nice to others, no matter how their grammar is, or how well they spell. It also means you should make a reasonable effort to write concisely and correctly, but a reasonable effort doesn't give the same results for everyone.

I don't have dyslexia, but I know people who do, and dyslectics who have to write in English have nothing but respect from me. Written English seems like it was invented by a madman.

Its a mogral mix of multiple root languages, words invented and borrowed from around the globe, and mutated by the regions its spoken. It is definitely not a easy one.

Also.... Their, there, they're... All different contexts...

I just normally tell others i'm learning English and they drop it, i don't really like to go into it to much details unless they ask.

I just saw the post and a.. very disrespectful person and wanted others to know there are many forms of it and no one knows how bad it is for others.

Like Cream Tea said, its about respect and telling someone that "its not a bad problem" is very disrespectful.

My Double Defiant Disorder is why i'm on 4-5 forms for hours of the day, to practice as much as i can while i'm in a place that will allow me too.

PS, Spellcheck is my god and grammar nazi's are my devil lol.

 Amishprn86 wrote:
I just normally tell others i'm learning English and they drop it, i don't really like to go into it to much details unless they ask.

I just saw the post and a.. very disrespectful person and wanted others to know there are many forms of it and no one knows how bad it is for others.

Like Cream Tea said, its about respect and telling someone that "its not a bad problem" is very disrespectful.

My Double Defiant Disorder is why i'm on 4-5 forms for hours of the day, to practice as much as i can while i'm in a place that will allow me too.

PS, Spellcheck is my god and grammar nazi's are my devil lol.

Sorry, I wasn't able to respond to this because I have been away from Dakka for a while. However, I do feel it's important to clear a few things up...

Initially, I had wanted to 'politely' point out that there might have been a misunderstanding, but after reading further: seriously? How dare you? How dare you come here and just 'assume' that I didn't struggle just as much as you. How dare you put words in my mouth, and then call me 'very disrespectful', just because I'd like people to understand dyslexia better, and see me as different and valuable, rather then disabled and inferior.

At no point, whatsoever, did I say "it's not a problem",or that I didn't struggle. FYI my story is almost identical to yours. I left school at 18, functionally illiterate, with very little support, and had to painstakingly teach myself to read and write as an adult, by hanging out in forums and chats, and practicing every day for years. And after all that, I will still never be confident at it, I have to double and triple check everything (even when I've got it right), because it's just so deeply ingrained now, I will never be able to trust myself. So it's the most infuriating thing when people see how well I write (how well I write 'now'), and they say: "oh, I guess it's not really a problem for you", which is exactly what you just did... Actually, it has been a fething huge problem for me, and I've had to work my ass off, just to be bad at it.

I did not say that being dyslexic was 'just like' being left handed, and I certainly did not try to downplay it as 'not a problem'. I said it is "analogous", because in many ways it is. There are thousands of things that left handed people struggle with every day, everything from can-openers to door handles, tape measures, cameras, firearms (the list is almost endless). If you watch a left handed person struggling with a can-opener, then you might be tempted to think of them as 'handicapped' in some way, but actually, they're just different, and they struggle because the world isn't usually designed with them in mind. However, there are certain tasks where left handed people excel, and it's everyone else that is 'handicapped'. In some areas of manufacturing, for example, left handed welders and riveters are highly sought-after, because they are able to work in areas that right-handed people find too awkward. In sports, left handed and left footed players are often 'better' at playing certain positions.

This is (in some ways) "analogous" to dyslexia, because dyslexic people are also 'more capable' at certain tasks. They are often highly intelligent, creative, and have an aptitude for tasks that require a lot of visualization, abstraction, spacial rotation, and unconventional thinking. That does't mean they don't struggle, of course they struggle, trying to fit into a world that isn't designed for them, but that also doesn't mean dyslexia should just be thought of as some kind of 'disease' that makes you bad at spelling.

I didn't say anything that was offensive to you, I didn't say it's not a problem. I didn't say people don't struggle, and I certainly didn't say it was 'easy' for me.

All I wanted to say is that there is nothing "wrong" with being dyslexic, just like there is nothing "wrong" with being left handed. The only thing "wrong" is that the rest of the world often struggles to understand, and accommodate people who are made differently. So I would prefer it if people didn't think of it as a disability, because it's much more complicated than that. It can certainly be a handicap when it comes (specifically) to things like reading and writing, but there are often some advantages to being dyslexic too, which might not be immediately obvious. So I (personally) don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. I might be terrible at spelling, but I'm wonderful at drawing, there is no way I'd ever want to give that up, or exchange it.

Any further exchange between you two can be handled via PM. Thanks.