· 3 min read
Read Easy | My First AI Agent
I built my first AI Agent to help people with dyslexia access digital content more easily. This post describes what it does, where you can use it, and how I made it happen.
Read Easy (Beta)
I built my first AI Agent with the intent of making reading easier for people with dyslexia. At the beginning switching the font, updating text layout, having an approachable UI was the goal. I showed this to two dyselexic people, they told me they liked it. I wanted to create something great for a specific audience. I’m not dyselixic so it’s tough for me to know, how this is interpeted. Feedback from others is important.
I wanted to create an ai agent for people with dyslexia, but also designers and developers looking to build more inclusive digital experiences. An estimated 10-15% of the population has dyslexia, yet most digital content is designed without their needs. Accessibility-focused AI isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating experiences for everyone.
UX
First time visitors are able to use the app immediately. The amount of prompts is limited to 20. After 20 you are prompted to sign up for an account via Auth0. The onboarding process is still a WIP. I need remember and reference what I read in Just Enough Research. More on that later.
UI
Accessibility-First Design Philosophy
The interface prioritizes readability and user comfort through thoughtful visual hierarchy and inclusive design choices. The color system features warm, high-contrast palettes engineered to reduce eye strain: light mode pairs soft cream backgrounds with deep navy text, while dark mode uses slate backgrounds with light gray text. User messages appear in vibrant blue creating clear visual distinction from bot responses, which use subtle background tints. During text-to-speech playback, words highlight in warm yellow—providing clear feedback without harshness.
Typography centers on the OpenDyslexic font family, specifically engineered for users with dyslexia, ensuring optimal readability for all users. The layout employs a full-height flexbox structure with a centered chat container (max-width 1800px, responsive to 320px), maintaining usability across all device sizes while keeping focus on the conversation.
Interaction Design
Smooth, purposeful animations provide visual feedback without distraction. Interactive elements include a three-state theme toggle (light/dark/system), adjustable font sizing, and comprehensive text-to-speech controls with real-time word highlighting. Loading states feature animated progress indicators, while hover states use subtle color shifts to signal interactivity.
The design emphasizes clarity through rounded corners, soft shadows for depth, and consistent spacing. All interactions support keyboard navigation and screen readers, with clear focus states and ARIA labels. The aesthetic balances modern minimalism with functional accessibility—a professional yet approachable interface that truly embodies “More answers, less stress.”
Wrapping it up
Check out the app Read Easy (Beta). Send feedback to robertfauver@gmail.com
Next up, I’m going to re-read Just Enough Research, create some actions items and keep building We’re all in this together. AI needs to be leveraged to help us help each other. Make the audio less robotic, more welcoming. Get some use cases together. Better formatting for text and make it easier to read.
I hope what I created helps you or someone you care about.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
☮︎
