Writing/Spelling

People may have difficulty with the cognitive or the physical process of writing. In addition, they may have difficulty spelling, which can manifest itself in letter reversals, letter transposition, and omission of letters or words. People may be hindered in the physical process of writing, making it difficult to fill in blanks; bubble in dots; or line up numbers or words in a column, on a line, or within a margin. Handwriting may be illegible. Organizing a written project, identifying themes or ideas, structuring sentences or paragraphs, or identifying and/or correcting grammar errors may all be writing tasks that are problematic due to deficits in the cognitive process of writing. Accommodation ideas usually involve assistive technology or communicating in ways other than writing.

• Provide templates or forms to minimize writing
• Allow verbal or typed responses instead of written responses
• Use speech recognition software that recognizes the employee's voice and changes it to text on the computer screen
• Use spell-check on computer
• Provide a scribe to write the employee's responses
• Provide ample space on forms requiring written responses
• Allow the use of reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus
• Provide electronic and talking dictionaries
• Use word prediction software that displays a list of words that typically follow the word that was entered in a document
• Use word completion software that displays sample words after someone starts typing part of a word
• Allow a buddy, coworker, or supervisor to proofread written material
• Use writing/editing software to assist with spelling, tone, and grammar
• Provide writing aids
• Use line guides and column guides
• Supply bold line paper
• Allow the use of personal computers, laptops, and tablets