reviews in the news spotlight series press releases

Using Today’s Assistive Technology, No Dyslexic is Left Behind!

WordQ+SpeakQ software bundle for struggling writers is first and only integrated word prediction & speech recognition tool for those with learning disabilities

“You cannot begin to understand the excitement that I – as a dyslexic person – am experiencing and feeling at suddenly overcoming my literary skills deficits..I am crying. I cannot believe I have written this myself!” – Sheila Clarkson, Acton, ON

“I cannot properly express in words how much of a blessing WordQ has been for my dyslexic children.” --Carol Sue Burdock, Quakertown, Pa.

“Word Q, in my opinion, (which is based on the students that I've seen use it on a regular basis) is truly one of the most superior software applications that will motivate dyslexic students to write, and promote their self-confidence at the same time.” –About.Com

“For struggling writers reaching for a technological life preserver, grab hold of WordQ for easy, invisible, and inexpensive word prediction and spoken feedback.” -- PCMag.com

February 22, 2011; Dover, New Hampshire Dyslexia is a broad term for a learning disability in children and many adults that impairs a person’s fluency in being able to spell, read and write (and sometimes, speak). It’s commonly believed that 10-18% of a given population will be dyslexic. When someone is struggling with dyslexia, their brain has difficulty translating visual information into understandable language. Dyslexia has no relationship to innate intelligence.

A common misconception is that dyslexics write words backwards or move letters around when reading. Actually, this only occurs in a small percentage. Dyslexic people are better identified by writing that does not seem to match their level of intelligence from other observations. Additionally, people with dyslexia often substitute similar-looking, but unrelated words in place of the ones intended (i.e., – say/saw, what/want, fell/fall, fun/run).

Simply put, writing is harder for people with dyslexia. As they struggle with spelling, they may pay little attention to their grammar, or vice versa. Writing by hand is a daunting and frustrating task for students with dyslexia (similarly, for those with the learning disabilities dysgraphia, or poor graphomotor control or working memory). This writing generally produces work that is far below their oral skills of expression. Fortunately, there is a great deal of evidence that assistive computer technologies are highly effective for people with learning disabilities, or “print disabilities.” In this age when writing is the new social currency, these individuals can now explore their true potential and experience the freedom of self-expression, rather than the limitations of their learning differences.

In order to support someone with dyslexia to produce a high-quality written text, an assistive technology must address several issues. To this end, WordQ+SpeakQ software bundle is the first and only integrated word prediction and speech recognition tool available, designed specifically for struggling writers from 2^nd grade to adulthood. (A 30-day free trial of the full-featured software is available at http://www.goqsoftware.com/try/; WordQ is for PC and Mac, SpeakQ is for PC only.)

Neil MacGregor – Vice President of Learner Development for the company, and someone who himself has struggled with learning disabilities since childhood – explains that, “I read and write at a 7^th grade level, but I did my BA degree in philosophy. The advent of assistive technology has radically changed my own life, and it’s thrilling for me to participate in changing the lives of so many others. Students with dyslexia can now use their verbal skills to compensate for reading and writing difficulty. Using assistive technology, they can listen to the text on websites and proofread their own writing. At the same time, they can get assistance spelling complicated words through sophisticated word prediction (similar to, but more advanced than, what you find on your cell phone) and can access speech recognition that allows them to write by speaking, and to edit their work by hearing their writing -- including mistakes-- read back to them.”

While there is no “cure” for dyslexia, WordQ+SpeakQ are helping to transform the writing experience for tens of thousands who struggle with it. Steve McClean, Principal of Rockland District High School in Ontario, has observed that ““Many children with learning disabilities have above-average intelligence but are unable to communicate well, especially through writing. These are kids with great ideas who just can’t write them down. For them, the writing process is painful and frustrating. WordQ and SpeakQ solve that problem for them.”

About goQ: goQ is an international literacy software entity specializing in high-quality products, customer service and training. The entity is comprised of Quillsoft (developers of WordQ+ SpeakQ), Strategic Transitions Inc. (global distributor) and ST4 Learning Inc. (U.S. distributor). (http://www.goqsoftware.com/)

Note: Complimentary licenses (a $279 value) are being offered to all AT, OT and SLP professionals in the U.S. whose job it is to know about assistive software, as well as to all graduate students who are future professionals in these fields. To find out if you qualify for a complimentary professional license, go to http://www.goqsoftware.com/learning-center/helpers/.)

Media Contact:

Christopher M. Williams
Director, Strategic Communications
Cookson Stephens Corporation

chris@cooksonstephens.com / 603.782.8192 (o) / 603.630.1259 (c)

Call Toll Free: 877-674-7687

Using Today’s Assistive Technology, No Dyslexic is Left Behind!