Assistive Technology: Texthelp Read&Write

What is Assistive Technology? 

Assistive technology (AT) is any device, software, or equipment that is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability, including a learning difference. Technologies include hardware, or physical technologies that are kept on-site at our AT Studio, and software, or technology available via a computer that can potentially be used from home. To learn more about why and how LDS uses AT, head to our AT webpage.

What does Read&Write do?

Read&Write is a software toolbar that offers a range of literacy support features to help students create and engage with content across all grade levels and subjects, allowing them to optimize their learning styles to meet their full potential. Easily downloaded and accessible on multiple different devices and operating systems, Read&Write can make reading and writing easier for our students.  

Read&Write features:

• Text-to-speech reads words, passages, or whole documents aloud with easy-to-follow dual colour highlighting. 
• Text and picture dictionaries provide definitions and display images to help with word comprehension. 
• Vocabulary List creates a list of selected words and provides the dictionary and picture definitions for them along with an editable Notes column.
• Prediction presents a list of predicted words based on the letters already typed and on the context of the sentence.

How can my child access Read&Write?

Our RISE Assistive Technology Studio is supported by our thoughtful and generous LDS technology sponsors, including Texthelp. Like all our assistive software tools, LDS offers Read&Write to our students and their families for use in lessons, in school, and at home. To claim your free copy of Read&Write, please email our AT Manager at AT@ldsociety.ca. You can also request an LDS assistive software virtual tour to get an in-depth introduction to our assistive software suite.  

We offer the Read&Write as part of our AT Studio, a space dedicated to leading-edge assistive technology and the collaborative use of it to help our students with learning differences. To learn more about how your child can benefit, email our AT Manager at AT@ldsociety.ca [Link to email]