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Read&Write is literacy support software from Everway (formerly Texthelp). It adds a toolbar with tools such as text-to-speech with word highlighting, word prediction, spelling and grammar support, dictation, dictionaries and study highlighting, for use in documents, PDFs and web pages.

Helps with: reading and understanding text, spelling, proofreading, written output and organising information.

Often considered for: dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and other reading or writing difficulties.

Compatibility: Windows.

Licence: 3-year Access to Work licence.

Dragon Professional is speech recognition software from Nuance, a Microsoft company. The user speaks to dictate text into documents, emails and other applications, and can use voice commands to edit text and control the computer.

Helps with: written output, typing and spelling, and reducing keyboard and mouse use.

Often considered for: dyslexia, dyspraxia, RSI, and mobility or dexterity impairments.

Compatibility: The current version (v16) runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is not available for Mac. It needs a suitable microphone or headset, and administrator rights to install.

Licence: Perpetual licence.

MindManager is visual mapping software. It lets the user lay out ideas, tasks, projects and information as mind maps, flowcharts and timelines, then turn them into plans and documents.

Helps with: organisation and planning, prioritising, structuring written work, managing tasks, and executive function.

Often considered for: dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia and autism, especially for users who prefer to see information visually.

Compatibility: Windows 10 and 11, or a recent macOS. A perpetual licence key works for either Windows or Mac, not both.

Licence: One-time (perpetual) licence for the version purchased. The vendor does not include free upgrades to later versions.

EARLY (formerly Timeular) is a time-tracking system: an eight-sided tracker cube plus the EARLY Pro app. The user assigns activities to the sides and flips the cube to time each task; entries are recorded in the app for review.

Helps with: time management, staying on task, switching between tasks, and understanding where working time goes.

Often considered for: ADHD and other conditions that affect time management and executive function.

Compatibility: Desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus a web app and companion apps for iOS and Android. The cube connects by Bluetooth Low Energy; older Windows PCs may need a compatible USB adapter.

Included: One EARLY tracker cube and a 3-year EARLY Pro subscription.

Learn more about EARLY →

Loop Experience 2 are reusable earplugs that lower the volume of surrounding noise by up to 17 dB (SNR) while keeping speech and other sounds clear, rather than muffling them. They come with a carry case and four ear tip sizes for a comfortable fit.

Helps with: noise sensitivity, sensory overload, concentrating in busy or open-plan workplaces, and reducing distraction while still hearing colleagues.

Often considered for: autism, ADHD and other conditions that involve sensory sensitivity or difficulty filtering background noise.

Compatibility: Not applicable; no app, batteries or charging needed.

Included: One pair of Loop Experience 2 earplugs, four pairs of silicone ear tips (XS, S, M and L) and a carry case.

ClaroRead is text-to-speech and writing support software from Claro Software. It reads text aloud from documents, emails, web pages and PDFs with word highlighting, and adds tools such as a homophone and spelling checker, word prediction and scanning of paper documents so they can be read aloud.

Helps with: reading and understanding text, proofreading, spelling and written output.

Often considered for: dyslexia, visual stress, ADHD and other reading or writing difficulties.

Compatibility: Windows 10 and Windows 11, with Microsoft Office integration.

Licence: 3-year Access to Work subscription for one user.

MindView AT Suite from MatchWare is mind mapping software for planning and organising. The user builds mind maps that can be switched to outline, timeline or Gantt views and exported to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and other formats. The AT Suite edition adds accessibility features such as text-to-speech and dictation support.

Helps with: planning, organising ideas, structuring written work and projects, and managing tasks.

Often considered for: dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia and autism, especially for users who prefer to see information visually.

Compatibility: Windows and macOS.

Licence: 3-year subscription for one user.

Genio Notes (formerly Glean) is note-taking software. The user records audio from meetings, calls or training sessions alongside slides and typed notes, then reviews the recording with a transcript to pick out and organise the key points.

Helps with: taking notes while listening, remembering what was said in meetings, organising information, and reviewing it later.

Often considered for: ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other conditions that affect memory, concentration or note-taking.

Compatibility: Runs in a web browser on Windows or Mac, with apps for iOS and Android.

Licence: 3-year Access to Work licence for one user.

Caption.Ed is live captioning and note-taking software. It shows real-time captions of speech in meetings, online calls, videos and face-to-face conversations, saves a transcript and lets the user add notes. The Lite plan includes up to 1,000 captioning minutes a month.

Helps with: following conversations and meetings, keeping up with fast speech, reviewing what was said, and note-taking.

Often considered for: deafness and hearing loss, auditory processing difficulties, ADHD, dyslexia and other conditions that affect listening or note-taking.

Compatibility: Windows and macOS, plus mobile apps.

Licence: 3-year Lite licence (up to 1,000 minutes a month) for one user.

The C-Pen Reader 3 is a handheld pen scanner that reads printed text aloud. The user runs the pen along a line of text and hears it read in a natural-sounding voice, and can look up word meanings in the built-in dictionary. It works on its own, without a computer or internet connection.

Helps with: reading printed documents, working out unfamiliar words, and reading independently away from a computer.

Often considered for: dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

Compatibility: Standalone device; headphones can be used for private listening, and scanned text can be transferred to a computer.

Included: One C-Pen Reader 3 and charging cable.

The Olympus (OM System) DS-9100 is a professional digital voice recorder for dictation and for recording notes or meetings. The Premium Kit includes dictation management software to download, organise and play back recordings, and recordings can be transcribed with speech recognition software such as Dragon.

Helps with: capturing information and ideas by voice, recording notes, and producing written work by dictation.

Often considered for: dyslexia, dyspraxia, memory difficulties, RSI and other conditions that affect handwriting or typing.

Compatibility: Connects to Windows or Mac computers by USB.

Included: One DS-9100 recorder with the Premium Kit accessories and dictation management software.

The Jabra Evolve2 55 is a wireless stereo headset for calls and online meetings, with active noise cancelling and noise-reducing microphones. It connects by Bluetooth or the included USB adapter and has a busy light to show others when the user is on a call.

Helps with: concentrating and taking calls in noisy or open-plan workplaces, and reducing distraction from background noise.

Often considered for: ADHD, autism and other conditions that involve noise sensitivity or difficulty filtering background noise.

Compatibility: Works with Windows and Mac computers through the USB adapter, and with phones and tablets by Bluetooth.

Included: One Jabra Evolve2 55 stereo headset with USB adapter and charging cable.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, which reduces constant background noise such as office chatter and air conditioning. Built-in microphones support clear calls, and an ambient sound mode lets the user hear colleagues without taking the headphones off.

Helps with: concentrating in noisy or open-plan workplaces, reducing sensory overload, and taking calls clearly.

Often considered for: ADHD, autism and other conditions that involve sensory sensitivity or difficulty filtering background noise.

Compatibility: Bluetooth with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices, or wired with the included cable.

Included: One pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones with carry case, USB-C charging cable and audio cable.