The Challenge

Many dyslexic readers struggle with fluency, pronunciation, and visual clarity—making reading feel frustrating rather than rewarding.

• Difficulty with pronunciation

• Visual crowding and text confusion

• Low confidence while reading aloud

• Inconsistent reading habits

Existing solutions often prioritize entertainment or clinical exercises over supportive learning.

How might we create an AI-powered reading experience that builds confidence without increasing cognitive load?

Research Snapshot

Given the hackathon timeline, research focused on high-impact accessibility principles that could directly influence reading comfort.

• Dyslexia-friendly typography

• Optimal text size and spacing

• Low-stress color palettes

• Clear, distraction-free layouts

These insights shaped every design decision throughout the product.

Turning a Constraint into the Core Experience

The hackathon required every team to integrate AI voice APIs.

Rather than treating voice as an additional feature, I made it the foundation of the learning experience.

• Guided "Read Together" sessions

• AI-powered pronunciation feedback

• Safe, repeatable reading practice

Accessibility Decisions

1. Calm, Low-Cognitive Interface

The interface was designed to reduce visual stress and help users stay focused while reading.

• Clear typographic hierarchy

• Generous spacing

• Neutral color palette

• Predictable layout structure

Interactive cards highlight on hover to improve discoverability without adding unnecessary distractions.

2. Structured Reading Journey

Reading was organized into clear learning paths instead of overwhelming users with choices.

• Upload personal reading material

• Browse a curated story library

• Follow structured lessons

• Flexible reading modes

3. AI-Assisted Pronunciation Practice

AI created a safe feedback loop that encouraged practice without fear of making mistakes.

• Listen → Repeat → Feedback

• Supports pronunciation development

• Removes social pressure

4. Reinforcement Without Distraction

Short learning activities reinforce progress while keeping reading as the primary focus.

• Comprehension Challenge

• Word Detective

• Reading Race

• Supports repetition without excessive gamification

5. Progress That Builds Confidence

Progress tracking was designed to motivate consistency rather than competition.

• Reading streaks

• Pronunciation accuracy

• Reading speed (WPM)

• Comprehension progress

• Vocabulary growth

Visible progress helps reinforce positive reading habits over time.

Constraints & Trade-offs

As a 48-hour hackathon project, decisions were driven by impact and feasibility.

Trade-offs included:

• Prioritized core reading flows over secondary features

• Relied on established accessibility guidelines instead of user testing

• Focused on demonstrating the voice-first experience rather than building a production-ready platform

Future Opportunities

With additional time, the next steps would focus on validating the experience with real users.

• Conduct usability testing with dyslexic learners

• Measure pronunciation improvement over time

• Evaluate typography and spacing variations

• Balance gamification against cognitive load

• Track long-term reading habits and retention

Success would be measured through improvements in reading fluency, pronunciation accuracy, and weekly engagement.

Outcome

Word Wings demonstrates how AI voice interaction can make reading more supportive, accessible, and confidence-building.

• Voice-first reading experience

• Accessibility-driven design

• AI-assisted pronunciation practice

• Progress-focused habit formation

The experience prioritizes clarity, confidence, and consistency over entertainment-driven engagement.