Celebrating Gary Sharpe & Dyscalculator
TL;DR:
Gary Sharpe has won the Numeracy Educator Award for his work on Dyscalculator™, a calculator designed to support people with dyscalculia (sometimes called “maths dyslexia”). Dyscalculator is free, cross-platform (web, iOS, Android), and packed with accessibility-first features like custom key labels, OpenDyslexic font, Irlen shading, Te Reo Māori language support, and more. Try it here: dyscalculator.app.
At today’s Literacy and Numeracy Educator Award gathering hosted by Ako Aotearoa, the Numeracy Educator Award went to Gary Sharpe for his work on Dyscalculator™—a calculator designed specifically for learners with dyscalculia (often called “maths dyslexia”). It’s accessibility-first, learner-centred, and available across web, iOS, and Android.
What makes Dyscalculator different?
- Neurodiversity-aware design: custom key labels (e.g., “plus”/“and”), Irlen shading, OpenDyslexic font, and multiple languages including Te Reo Māori.
- Real-world maths modes: fractions and mixed fractions; time durations (hrs/min/sec); clock time (a.m./p.m. with ⏱); percent & tax (pre/post-tax).
- Expressive display: full formula + real-time evaluation, thousands separators, clean fraction/time rendering, degrees/radians for trig.
- Show working: tap the formula to reveal the steps—great for teaching precedence and transparency.
Why this matters: tools like Dyscalculator lower the cognitive load, letting learners focus on understanding, not fighting the interface. For teachers, it’s a practical accommodation that pairs nicely with differentiated instruction and foundation skills pathways.
Where to try it:
- Web: https://dyscalculator.app/
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/dyscalculator/id6749684415
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pschlup.dcalc&pli=1
Ngā mihi and congratulations to Gary Sharpe and contributors Philip Schlup (software/algorithms) and Michael Grawe (project/marketing). More of this, please.
Q&A
Q: What is dyscalculia?
A: Dyscalculia is a neurodiverse learning difficulty that affects a person’s ability to understand, remember, and work with numbers. Sometimes referred to as “maths dyslexia,” it can impact tasks like telling time, using money, or doing everyday calculations.
Q: How is Dyscalculator different from a regular calculator?
A: It’s designed with accessibility in mind. Features include:
- Customisable key labels (e.g., “plus”/“and”)
- Irlen shading for readability
- OpenDyslexic font option
- Fraction, time, and percentage/tax calculations
- Te Reo Māori and multiple language support
- An “expressive display” that shows formulas, fractions, and working steps clearly
Q: Who can use it?
A: Anyone can—but it’s especially useful for learners with dyscalculia, teachers looking for accessible tools, or adults needing extra support with numbers.
Q: Where do I get it?
- Web: dyscalculator.app
- iOS: Download on the App Store
- Android: Get it on Google Play
If you use Dyscalculator in class or workplace training, we’d love to hear how you introduce it and what shifts you notice.