Read & Write is a software program designed to improve the literacy skills of individuals with reading and writing difficulties. The software provides a range of tools and features that can help users with reading, writing, and comprehension tasks.
- Text-to-speech technology to read aloud any text on the computer screen
- Word prediction feature to suggest words while typing
- Spell-checking tool to identify and correct misspelled words in real-time
- Vocabulary support with definitions and synonyms for unfamiliar words
- Tools for organizing and summarizing text, including highlighters and sticky notes
- Ability to create summaries of selected text
- Translate text to different languages
Privacy notice and consent - Read & Write (Take Home version) by Texthelp
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) collects, uses, discloses and retains personal information in compliance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
TRU is offering Read&Write software that includes text to speech, dictionary, picture dictionary, prediction work suggestions, highlighters, personal vocabulary glossary, and a "check it" function for spelling, grammar and word errors. TRU's Read&Write Take Home software licence allows you, as a TRU user, to access the software on your personal device.
Read & Write is currently available for Windows and Mac computers, as well as Chromebooks and iPads. The mobile app for Android tablets is not yet fully supported.
This offering is free, and using Read&Write is voluntary. By using this service, you are entering into a personal agreement with Texthelp. TRU recommends you review the end user licence, in addition to their privacy policy.
To use Read & Write, a personal email address is required, and is being collected on this form by TRU under section 26(c) of the FIPPA to register you as a licenced TRU Read&Write user. This personal information is shared with and accessed by Texthelp from outside of Canada to provide you with their service. Texthelp does not store this personal information.
As a TRU user, you must install the Read & Write app (available from the Microsoft or Google store) onto your device to use the Take Home version of the software from home or off campus. Once registered, TRU users automatically have access to the TRU licence when they sign in via the Microsoft option. Signing in with a different personal platform account, such as Google, will not provide access to the TRU license.
TRU recommends users access the software through their TRU Microsoft 365 account. When using a personal platform to sign in to use Texthelp, that platform may collect and store some of your personal information relating to your interaction with Read&Write. This may include:
To protect your privacy, please check your cookie preferences and app permissions to minimize the collection of your personal information by these platforms when using Read&Write.
For information about Read&Write or this privacy notice, please contact Nadia Karim at as@tru.ca. You may also contact the privacy office at privacy@tru.ca.
Read & Write Installation
Thompson Rivers University is pleased to offer free access to Read & Write to all students, faculty and staff.
To get started, please select one of the following options to download Read & Write:
A browser window should open the first time you use Read & Write. If it does not open automatically, click the Read & Write logo to open the activation website. Please log in to the program with the same account you use to log in to Microsoft 365:
If you have not yet installed and/or logged in to Microsoft 365, you can find more information here.
Please note, a Microsoft Microsoft 365 account is required to use the premium features of Read & Write.
After you have successfully installed Read & Write, you may choose to install one of the following optional browser extensions:
Training and Support
To learn more about Read & Write and the variety of features available, the Read & Write for Windows YouTube playlist is a great place to start. You can also find more information about Read & Write features on TRU's Accessibility Services Resources page.
If you require technical support with Read & Write, you can contact support@texthelp.ca, or explore the resources available on their support forum.
You can also contact TRU's assistive technology specialist at as@tru.ca for more information on Read & Write training opportunities.
If you encounter any problems during the installation or log-in process, contact TRU's IT Service Desk: