Your Guide to Read&Write for Literacy Support

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Your comprehensive guide to using Read&Write, a powerful assistive technology tool designed to support reading, writing, and learning for all students. 

What is Read&Write?

Read&Write is an intuitive literacy support tool that provides a range of features to make reading, writing, and studying easier. It’s designed to help students with learning differences like dyslexia, neurodiversity as well as those who simply want to enhance their productivity. 

Key Features: 

  • Text-to-Speech: Reads digital text aloud. 
  • Speech-to-Text: Converts spoken words into text. 
  • Screen Masking: Highlights and focuses on specific sections of text. 
  • Dictionary & Picture Dictionary: Provides word definitions and visual aids. 
  • Highlighter & Study Tools: Allows you to highlight and extract key information. 
  • PDF Reader: Makes PDFs accessible with reading and annotation tools. 

Learn more on the official Texthelp Acadamy Website

How to Access Read&Write

  • Read&Write is now available by default on all QUB-managed computers and browsers (Chrome and Edge) — just look for the purple Read&Write puzzle-piece icon in your browser toolbar extensions.
  • Students can also download the Read&Write extension for Chrome or Edge on their own devices. To unlock the full version, simply sign in with your QUB email address and password via Microsoft login.

Watch the Demo Video:

Using the Key Features

Text-to-Speech 

What it does: Reads text aloud with customisable voices and speeds.

How to use: 

  • Highlight the text you want to hear. 
  • Click the Play button on the toolbar. 
  • Adjust the voice settings under Options > Speech. 

Speech-to-Text 

What it does: Converts spoken words into typed text.

How to use:

  • Open a blank document. 
  • Click the Microphone button and start speaking. 
  • Your words will appear as text in real time. 

Highlighters and Collect Highlights 

What it does: Lets you highlight important sections of text and extract them into a new document. 

How to use: 

  • Select text and use one of the coloured highlighter buttons. 
  • Click Collect Highlights to compile them into a study guide. 

PDF Reader 

What it does: Makes PDFs interactive with text-to-speech and annotation tools. 

How to use: 

  • Open a PDF file using the Read&Write PDF Reader. 
  • Use the toolbar to read text, highlight, or annotate directly on the document. 

Dictionary and Picture Dictionary 

What it does: Provides definitions and visual representations of words.

How to use: 

  • Highlight a word and click the Dictionary or Picture Dictionary button. 
  • Explore the definition or image provided. 

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Why isn’t the text-to-speech working?

  • Ensure your device volume is on, and the correct voice is selected under settings. 

How do I change the voice in Text-to-Speech?

  • Go to Options > Speech and choose a new voice from the list.

Can I use Read&Write on mobile devices?

  • Yes, but features may vary. Check the Texthelp mobile apps page here. 

Free Alternatives to Read&Write

If you don’t have access to Read&Write, or prefer something else, consider these free alternatives: 

  • Microsoft Immersive Reader: Integrated into Word, OneNote, and Edge
  • Speechify (free online version) – turns any text—like articles, PDFs, or emails—into audio you can listen to in natural, celebrity voices (yes, even Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow!) and now even lets you create your own mini podcasts from what you’re reading.
  • NaturalReader (Free Version): Offers text-to-speech functionality. 
  • Apple VoiceOver (Built-in): Screen reader that provides spoken feedback and gesture-based navigation for visually impaired users.
  • Apple Dictation (Built-in): Tool that converts spoken words into text, enabling hands-free typing in apps like Notes, Messages, and more.
  • Explore the Online Study Tools Guide for more ideas and assistive technology to support your academic journey.

Google Chrome Extensions: 

  • Read Aloud: Text-to-speech for web pages. 
  • Grammarly: (Free version limited) Writing assistance with grammar and spelling suggestions. 

Additional Resources and Tutorials 

Support Channels 

  • IT Helpdesk: For licensing issues or technical support, reach out to the QUB IT Helpdesk. 

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