Discover how your peers use Read&Write
Read&Write is used by over 50 million people worldwide - each with their own way of using the tools available.
Below, 7 people share the most common way they use Read&Write.
1. Reading & summarizing large documents quickly
Read&Write makes it easier to process large amounts of information. That’s because its features allow us to take in information in our own way, and organize it quickly and easily.
In this video Taljinder shares how she uses Read&Write to process lengthy documents.
Features mentioned:
- Text-to-speech. Taljinder uses text-to-speech to hear information read out loud. This helps her to process information much more easily. It also allows her to multitask and take notes at the same time.
- Highlights. Taljinder uses the colorful highlighters within Read&Write to group and summarize content. With four colors, we’re able to organize our content into four different themes. Then, with the collect function, we can pull this content out into a separate document.
- Screen Masking. Taljinder uses the screen masking feature to apply a color tint to her screen. This helps to reduce screen glare and alleviate eye strain. It’s also beneficial for those of us with Dyslexia or Dyspraxia, where a white background with black text can be difficult to read.
2. Proofreading written work
With Read&Write, we can proofread our written work in multiple ways.
In this recording, Colin shares 3 ways he uses Read&Write to easily find and fix mistakes.
Colin has Dyslexia, and also shares why he feels Read&Write makes a great proofreading tool for all of us working in a busy environment.
3 steps to proofreading written work:
- Check It. First, Colin uses Check It to discover any spelling and grammar errors with written work.
- Similar Word Checker. Then, Colin uses Read&Write’s homophone checker to find any potential mistakes with words that can be commonly confused. For example, ‘there’, ‘their’ and ‘they’re’.
- Text-to-speech. Finally, Colin uses text-to-speech to hear his written work read back to him. When we hear our written work read out loud, it can help to amplify errors.
3. Carrying out independent study & research
Read&Write allows us to turn paper files into digital documents for easy editing and reading.
In this video, Crystal shares how she uses Read&Write to support study and research at university, in the office, and at home.
Features mentioned:
- Scan. Crystal uses the Scan features to digitize paper documents.
- Text-to-Speech. With digital documents, Crystal is able to use text-to-speech to hear the content read out loud, rather than reading written text. This helps her to process the information easier.
- Audio Maker. Crystal also uses Audio Maker to turn digital text files into audio MP3 files for easy listening on the go.
4. Reducing cognitive load
During a busy working day we can easily become tired with lots of information to take in and a lot of screen time. Read&Write can help.
In this video, Nikki shares how Read&Write helps to reduce cognitive load. Nikki has Acquired Brain Injury and can often become fatigued and sensitive to light.
Features mentioned:
- Screen Masking. Nikki uses the Screen Masking features to mask her screen with a color tint of her choice.This reduces screen glare which can support those of us with light sensitivity. The reading ruler also helps us to concentrate on a particular part of the page, allowing us to focus more easily.
- Text-to-speech. Being able to have text read out loud helps Nikki to process lots of paperwork. That’s because for some of us hearing information read out loud helps us to process and understand information much easier.
- Highlights. Nikki uses the Highlights feature to categorize information. With a choice of four color highlighters, we’re able to sort information into themes. For Nikki, this is a valuable feature. She is able to highlight important parts of content as she reads it, and then collect it into a separate document at the end. This can help us to remember key information. Nikki also uses the feature to highlight and collect content in reports that she wants to send to her colleagues.
- Prediction. Prediction predicts the word that’s being typed and the word most likely to follow. It helps us to get our thoughts down quickly and easily, and supports us if we can’t find the words we’re searching for in the moment .
- Check It. With Check It, Nikki can concentrate on the full message she wants to share rather than worry over the mechanics of spelling. That’s because Check It highlights spelling and grammar errors, which Nikki can check once she has finished putting her thoughts down.
5. Creating visual prompts and instruction diagrams
Read&Write supports those of us who are visual processors in many ways.
In this video, Deirdre, a Biomedical Scientist, shares how she uses Read&Write to create visual prompts that support her daily tasks.
Features mentioned:
- Dictionary. Deirdre uses the picture definitions within the Dictionary feature to create pictorial prompts for different procedures that she carries out in the lab. This saves her time when completing tasks as she’s able to easily remember all steps that must be carried out.
- Highlights. Deirdre uses the Highlights feature to visually group together specific parts of content in a document. As she uses the document time and time again, she can instantly spot the section (by color) that’s relevant to what she’s doing at the time.
6. Supporting physical coordination and working memory
Read&Write supports those of us who experience challenges with physical coordination and working memory.
Chelsie Spencer, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist with Dyspraxia, shares how Read&Write supports:
- Working memory & dexterity challenges
- Accuracy with written work
- Organizing information
- Focusing on on-screen content
7. Supporting motion, dexterity, and physical disabilities
In this video, Texthelp's Rebecca Smyth shares common features supporting Read&Write's users with motion and dexterity challenges, and physical disabilities - including temporary disabilities such as a broken arm.
Features mentioned include:
- Text-to-Speech. Reads on screen text out loud, giving us flexibility to move around and change positions, instead of sitting in the same spot reading from a screen. This supports those of us who have difficulty remaining in one position for a long time.
- Audio Maker. Converts text into an MP3 audio file for easy listening. This feature facilitates greater flexibility by allowing us to consume content at a time, place and pace that suits us.
- Voice Note. Allows us to leave comments in documents as voice notes rather than typed text. This is helpful for those of us who have difficulty typing. Dictation is also a useful feature, allowing us to use speech to insert text into a document rather than having to type.
- Prediction. Intuitively predicts the word we're typing and which word is likely to follow. This feature allows us to type text using fewer keystrokes
- Scan. Allows us to convert physical or hard copies of text and documents into digital documents. This saves us from having to carry paper files, allowing us to save everything we need on our digital devices instead.
Need some help?
Discover how to use the features with our handy training guide. Or visit our bite-sized how-to articles.