What if reading clicked the moment the page changed shape? We sit down with Hillary Sommerbell—visual dyslexic, designer, and founder of the Summerbell Reading Method—to explore a bold idea: meet learners where their brains are by reshaping lines into gentle arcs. Instead of adding more drills or another dense program, Hillary shows how a simple visual reformat can reduce cognitive load, quiet the noise of crowded lines, and create that immediate “I can read this” feeling for students who’ve long felt shut out.

Across the conversation, we unpack how positional arc reading works in real classrooms and why ease matters. A lightweight Chrome extension turns any passage—articles, assignments, study guides—into customizable arcs in seconds. Teachers don’t rewrite curriculum or sit through marathon trainings; they click, convert, and watch confidence grow. Hillary shares how independent evaluation from Johns Hopkins approached the core claim—“easier to read”—using standard linear baselines and retesting, and why transparency and unbiased reporting are crucial for trust.

We also push beyond tools into culture. Hillary challenges the deficit lens on neurodiversity and argues for design that respects visual thinkers—artists, architects, out-of-the-box problem solvers. From practical non-negotiables for edtech adoption (evidence, simplicity, student voice) to instant aha moments that lift self-esteem, this episode offers a blueprint for literacy that feels more human and more effective. If you’ve ever wondered how to make reading accessible without reinventing your entire program, this story-driven deep dive will spark new ideas and give you tactics you can try tomorrow.

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EdTech Empowerment: Innovating Education Together is hosted by Juan Rodriguez, founder of NextGen Classrooms. Our mission? To empower every student with access to technology-rich education. Tune in each episode to hear from thought leaders, educators, and tech experts on transformative strategies in education, from digital literacy and AI ethics to building inclusive classrooms.

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