Two settings & a bonus feature to make your Mac more friendly

Sent in by Chris, he has a few settings that can a Mac more dyslexic friendly.

To get white on black text in apps and menus https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208976

The get your mac to read back any on screen text that is selectable set up this short cut key:
System preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> App Shortc…
click “+” (below the list on the right)
Application = “All Applications”
Menu Title= “Start Speaking”
Keyboard Shortcut =
click “add”

Select any text on screen then press the key combination you set up.
Warning, this only works on native MacOS application and if you press the buttons, having not selected text it will read the whole document and won’t stop!

Bonus feature, want to dictate to you mac?
Place the curser where you want the text, double tap the “fn” key and start speaking.
press “fn” once to stop.

More info on dictation here; https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh40584/mac

Note: Correct as of Mac OS 11.6 Big Sur

Like this hack?

You might also enjoy

Episode 53 – Unleashing Hidden Potential with Paul Daniels Jr.

In this episode of The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show, we had the privilege of speaking with Paul Daniels Jr., the founder of Peripheral Thinkers. Paul is not only an advisor to Fortune 500 companies but has also created over $2 billion in new revenue throughout his career.

During our conversation, Paul shared his fascinating journey, starting from his school days in Texas and his transition into studying business at university. Despite initially venturing into advertising, Paul’s path led him to become a design manager and eventually start his own business at the young age of 25, despite having limited prior business knowledge. As his business thrived, Paul realized his passion for mentoring others and transitioned into corporate America, using his exceptional ability to recognize patterns to fuel his success. Along the way, he also acquired engineering and programming skills to further enhance his career prospects.

At the age of 40, Paul discovered he was dyslexic, leading him to recognize his unique talents for connecting ideas and devising innovative strategies. He generously shared how these strategies have propelled his career and also shed light on the challenges he faced. Recognizing that 10% of the population possesses similar hidden skills, Paul developed a training course called Peripheral Thinkers. Through this course, he aims to help individuals tap into their innate thinking abilities and overcome challenges, ultimately fostering innovation.

Join us in this episode as Paul walks us through his inspiring journey, from his humble beginnings to his current role as a respected advisor and mentor. Discover how he has harnessed his dyslexic strengths and how you too can unlock your own hidden potential. Whether you’re dyslexic or not, this episode offers valuable insights into harnessing unique skills and thriving in any industry.

Episode 48 – Dr. Chris Arnold of Dyversity Lab on Dyslexia, Advertising, and Diverse Thinking

Join host Matt as he speaks with Dr. Chris Arnold, founder of Dyversity Lab, a global network of people who naturally think differently. Dr. Arnold shares his personal dyslexia story, discussing how his experiences have shaped his career in advertising and leadership style. He also explores the unique challenges and opportunities that dyslexics face in the workplace and shares valuable tips for dyslexic thinking.