Morphological understanding and root word highlighting in bionic reading assistive tools

February 9, 2023

In my last update to this project I implemented functionality to check if the text was in the viewport to improve performance and using the perceived contrast algorithm laid out in the wcag 2.1 spec, functionality that changes the font colour of the highlighted text to the highest contrast colour against the existing background. This update introduces root word highlighting to bionic reading, instead of highlighting just the first half of the word the system finds the root of the word and highlights just that. As described by: An investigation of morphological awareness and processing in adults with low literacy tests in adults and children suggest that encouraging a breakdown and understanding of words and their particular components shows an improvement in the frequency of correct understanding and spelling. By highlighting the root of words it aims to take advantage of already existing knowledge and recognition of words to assist reading accuracy. Bionic reading Root highlighting My fork of the bionic reading extension can be found on my GitHub cites Tighe, E.L. and…

Walton Prison: A Prison un-fit for rats

February 1, 2023

In 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022 Walton prison was subject to unannounced investigations each time calling it the worst prison in Britain finding it overcrowded, dirty, dangerous and inhumane. Only during the 2022 inspection did the population drop below 1100 to 800 by closing one wing to make improvements demanded 7 years prior, a damning observation when we remind ourselves that the whole prison is only designed to hold a population of 750. Prisoners are treated inhumanely as a process, it’s reported no matter how prisoners arrive be that for permanent stay or transfer they are strip searched and degraded. Prisoners at risk of self harm or suicide are still not given the attention and support needed; being locked in their cell for 23 hours a day, requests to see doctors and GP’s being purposely delayed and the dispensing of medication and appointments being delayed or cancelled out right. When asked to produce information about prisoners who posed a risk to the public or themselves on release prison management were…

Cuba shows the world how a democracy and the family co-exist

November 9, 2022

On September the 22nd 6 million Cubans took part in a constitutional referendum to include some of the most progressive legislation regarding sexuality, gender and the family unit.Passing with a 74% turnout voting in favour at 67%. With code that extends familial responsibilities to other senior members such as grandparents or surrogate mothers acknowledging the existence of non-traditional family structures, legalises same sex marriage, allowing same sex parents to adopt and outlawing child marriage. The new Cuban family code leap frogs the so called progressive leaders in Europe with phrasing in such as “Love and solidarity are the platforms and axes on which family relationships revolve” decoupling love and family from the concepts of sex and gender.Acknowledging the people who had been lost in the cracks of its legislation like young people with no access to services they need because they were part of a queer or non-traditional family.And showing the rest of the world what true socialism can achieve. An astounding display of democracy held and led by its…

Problematic Uranium

September 30, 2022

According to science journalist Benjamin Plackett who wrote on the 5th of September this year for Nature.com “We concluded that the scenarios with a large percentage of nuclear power, such as France’s current nuclear portfolio, have the lowest environmental impact.”, which from a purely technical point of view may appear correct, but what it is missing from this understanding and blatantly ignored by Benjamin Plackett is the environmental devastation laid to Niger by Frances open pit Uranium mines and its disregard for human life and surrounding environment. In 2014, Greenpeace and the Research group “Independent Information on Radioactivity Commission” CRIRAD conducted studies around the areas of Airlit and Akokan and found uranium in 4 out of 5 of water samples way exceeding safe levels. Bruno Chareyron, an engineer from the organisation said “We found evidence of radon, a radioactive gas dissolved in water”. he continues, “Regrettably, this poisoned water is still being distributed to the population and the workers for consumption.” According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals the villagers…