1. Working better Alastair Cambpell

2. Presentation objectives Identify and understand the issues and impact of low literacy and dyslexia on the individual and an organisation. Review how Read&Write is being used by UK organisations to raise disability awareness and change culture. Discuss how Read&Write can support department heads in implementing best practices in diversity. Overview of Read&Write literacy support software.

3. Literacy in the UK 5.2 Million adults in the UK have literacy skills below level 1. Equivalent to GCSE grade D-G “Where literacy standards are in place, there is greater success with regards to promotion and role performance. This highlights how employers can improve the employability of their staff”. Research from the KPMG Foundation estimated that poor literacy levels cost the UK economy £2 billion a year.

4. Dyslexia “Specific learning difficulty affecting the development of literacy and language skills”. British Dyslexia Association Dyslexia affects 10% of the population. Dyslexia difficulties: Reading and Writing (speed and comprehension), Writing, Organisation, Sequencing, memory. Dyslexia strengths: Innovation, Problem solving, Lateral thinking, Seeing the bigger picture

5. The negative effects Slower work rate and poor quality of reporting and communication. Longer to complete and/or comprehend documents. Increased stress levels due to missing targets and deadlines, resulting in low self confidence / higher rates of absenteeism. Inefficiencies and time lost in proofing and correcting colleagues work.

6. Working Better “Creating an environment where disability is accepted as just another way in which, as individuals, we differ from each other plays out well with employees” “Many adjustments don’t just help those with impairments, they help everyone”. Raconteur, May 2013 “Closing the gap between disabled workers and non disabled workers can increase the performance of staff across the board”. “Disabled people do not want to be singled our for special treatment. They are looking for company-wide solutions that support all workers to do their job effectively.”

7. Established in 1996. Based in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Subsidiary office in Boston, USA. Global representation in Australia, China, Europe, India and the Middle East. Developing life-changing software and technology to assist with literacy, dyslexia, document and content accessibility and English Language Learning. Guaranteeing quality products, service, support and training via 105 dedicated staff: ISO accredited, Microsoft GOLD Certified and Investors in People. Growing and developing as a Deloitte Fast 50 technology company for 13 years.

8. Read&Write Toolbar works discreetly with Windows applications, filled with features to assist with reading, writing and research. Improves accessibility to electronic and paper based documents to create an inclusive workplace. Keybenefits Offers users with literacy issues the opportunity to work independently and to their full potential. Removes the stressors associated with difficulties to create a less stressful working environment. Reducing absenteeism. Increases employee confidence levels – encouraging career development

9. How does it do this? FeatureBenefit Text-to-SpeechMinimises time spent reading and understanding. Aids those who struggle to read. Spell checkerEnsures written work is free from spelling errors. Speech maker (MP3)Increases productivity as documents and emails can be listened to away from a computer. Fact Folder / Study skills Efficient and effective method of information gathering and presentation. Screen MaskingReduces visual stress and fatigue from reading from computer screen

10. Read&Write in the workplace

11. Using Read&Write: “I am passionate about dyslexia, how people react to it and how people work with it. Read&Write addresses many of the issues and difficulties a dyslexic person faces in work." “Who would have thought that a dyslexic person would have responsibility for policy and procedural documentation, assessing them and writing policy for a whole Fire Authority?!” Chris Caswell, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, December2008 Chris Caswell – Station Manager. Read&Write in Kent FRS

12. Licensing options Read&Write GOLD Site Licence Read&Write GOLD Single user Read&Write GOLD Mobile Read&Write GOLD Work&Home Web Apps and iReadWrite Users can benefit from using familiar features on mobile and tablet devices Speech, Spell checker, Dictionary, Study Skills, Google Docs

13. Demonstration ReadingWritingResearch Eddie, Fire Service Trainer “What a fantastic way of working! I use Read&Write for the development of the support documents required to deliver courses. These tools make prioritising information a doddle”. Kim Brown – Transport for London “The main benefit of Read&Write GOLD for a business is that it can enable staff to work to their full potential and so increase job satisfaction”. Emma Thomas, Medical photographer “I use Read&Write’s speech tool a lot as it helps me to listen back to my work and make changes I normally wouldn’t see. I can also read large documents that I wouldn’t have tried to before”.