Bett 2013 Texthelp moves to the cloud with the launch of a new range of text-to-speech Web Apps for literacy support on-the-go

Anytime anywhere literacy support for dyslexic students is top of the agenda on stand C104 where Texthelp is launching its new range of cloud-based text-to-speech Web Apps for reading, writing, studying and research on-the-go. Designed to work on a wide range of mobile learning devices including the iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone, smart phones, PCs and Macs, the new apps support multiple browsers allowing users to benefit from instant accessibility to these powerful support tools where ever they are.

Included within the suite is the Read&Write Web App, which comes complete with Dictionary, Picture Dictionary, Translator, Study Skills and Fact Finder; Texthelp’s new Read&Write for Google Docs and e-Book Reader.

Perfect for struggling readers, Texthelp’s Read&Write Web App is a tool bar that can be opened inside the browser on a mobile, PC or Mac. The tool bar interacts with the web page content to provide text-to-speech functionality, enabling the student to hear HTML content read aloud. Dictionary and Picture Dictionary can be used to look up unfamiliar words, Translator to translate selected words, Study Skills to highlight and extract important pieces of information and Fact Finder to aid research on the web. The speed of the reading voice can also be controlled. Dual colour highlighting of the words being read aloud further aids reading comprehension.

Also new is Read&Write for Google Docs which adds many of the popular features of Read&Write to Google Documents in the Chrome web browser, allowing users to hear their documents read aloud with dual colour highlighting. Access to the support tools Dictionary and Picture Dictionary, Translator, Fact Finder and Study Skills is also included.

Students keen to read on the move can access eBook Reader, an innovative app which allows users to log into Bookshare, search for, download, save, and access Bookshare eBooks and hear the book read aloud with dual colour highlighting. It too comes complete with access to the full range of support tools found in Texthelp’s Read&Write Web App. Highlights can even be extracted from or saved in eBooks.

Apps for smaller devices such as the iPod Touch or iPhone will also be making their debut. New to BETT is Speech App designed to provide text-to-speech functionality and to read aloud email or texts, and Dictionary App which allows users to look up a word and get a text and image definition, aiding understanding and helping correct use of words when emailing or texting.

Commenting on the new apps, Claire Hardy, Disability Students’ Allowance (DSA) Assessor said, “Texthelp Web Apps are a convenient and flexible new suite of tools, offering individuals completely different access and a different way of working. They provide users with support and quick access to Read&Write GOLD features, wherever they are. The collection not only contains the well-established text-to-speech feature, but also boasts rich functionality, integrating seamlessly with the World Wide Web.”

Concluding, Mark McCusker, CEO, Texthelp Ltd, commented: “We are extremely excited to showcase our latest developments in web apps, designed to promote independence for those who experience difficulties with reading and writing.

“These Apps integrate well with student’s busy lives, allowing them to access their preferred software on-the-go. They assist with studies as well as day-to-day activities such as sending emails or text messages from a mobile phone.”

Come along to stand C104 to see these Apps in action along with demonstrations of Read&Write 10 GOLD, Read&Write 5 GOLD for Mac and Fluency Tutor online reading support software to help young and struggling readers develop oral reading fluency and improve comprehension.

A FREE 30 day trial of the Texthelp Web Apps is now available here: http://www.texthelp.com/UK/support/request-information. For product information or enquiries, please contact Texthelp on T: +44 (0)28 9442 8105, E: info@texthelp.com, W: www.texthelp.com/uk

About Texthelp Systems Ltd

Texthelp Systems Ltd is the worldwide leader of literacy software solutions provided through three core business divisions: Education, Speech Services and Publishing. Texthelp has been developing assistive technology software for the learning disabled community since 1996. The aim has always been to provide the most comprehensive cutting-edge technology available to provide inclusive education.

Based in Antrim, N. Ireland and with offices in the US, Texthelp is currently experiencing a period of sustained year on year growth.  The company has a reseller network covering over 20 countries.

Texthelp has been a Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award winning company for eleven years and won numerous product, innovation and marketing awards.

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