Texthelp Read&Write Software Provides Valuable Productivity Tool for Microsoft Technology Specialist

Microsoft technology specialist Debra Kennedy must routinely access, study, evaluate, and translate volumes of technical information in order to help customers find the right technology solutions. Kennedy relies on an assistive technology tool—Texthelp Read&Write—to help her maintain a high level of productivity.

"I think I went to summer school every summer of every year of my entire life until I graduated from college," says Debra Kennedy, technology specialist at Microsoft Corporation. And that's not because she was a poor student—quite the contrary. In fact, this bright and outgoing person is among an estimated 17-20 percent of the United States population with a learning disability.

Her learning disability made learning to read, and retaining what she read, difficult. "I had no trouble with verbal communications—I just had difficulty processing written words," she says. Kennedy's personal determination, along with her parents' tenacity in getting her the assistance she needed from schools, helped her succeed in academic and career goals. So has assistive technology.

Assistive Technology Helps Improve Productivity in Information Age

Today, Kennedy uses Read&Write software from Texthelp Systems Ltd. The software is designed to assist individuals in improving their reading and writing abilities. It can be used with word processors, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail, and the Internet.

Read&Write allows Kennedy to process the huge volume of written information she needs to do her job—a highly "information-intensive" endeavor. "Not only must we research our own products thoroughly," says Kennedy, "but we need to research customers businesses as well. We work very closely with customers learning all about their businesses—finding out what their business goals are, and what problems they have for which our products can provide a solution," she says. "Then we propose solutions, set up test systems in laboratory-like environments to provide 'proof of concept,' and finally set up the software and train customers on the chosen solution." All of this requires a lot of reading and writing.

Prior to getting assistive technology she says, "I could get through the information I needed to—it just took me twice as long." With Read&Write she "reads" both visually and audibly. "People learn in different ways," says Kennedy, "some people are visual-oriented, some are audible, some are tactile and need to be able to write during the learning process. One of the things that I like best about Read & Write is that it allows for diversity in learning styles."

Read&Write also helps her with writing. "As I'm working on a document," she says, "Read&Write not only highlights a word I have spelled incorrectly, but it tells me it's going to correct it—so it reinforces for me that a change is happening and helps me learn."

Microsoft Provided First Copy of Read&Write as Basic Productivity Tool

Like most people working in business today, Kennedy was unaware of the kinds of assistive technology available to her. "But Microsoft," she says "had long been a strong supporter of computing to help people with disabilities—physical or learning—it didn't matter. When I discovered Read&Write software I went to my boss and said 'Hey, I found this software to help with reading—what do you think?' She just said—'let's do it!' Microsoft's attitude was 'if this is what you need to do your job—if this is going to make it easier, if this is going to make it better—just do it.' It's as if I needed a pencil or a pen. It was just that simple."

Microsoft Helps Employees Find the Right Assistive Technology Tools

"Microsoft has a proactive approach to assistive technology for employees," says Ellen Meyer, a member of the Microsoft Ergonomics Team. "When an employee needs assistive technology to do his or her job, Microsoft works with the employee and the healthcare provider to determine the tools and resources that are needed."

The need for assistive technology can be identified in several ways, Meyer says. First, by a specific request from an employee. Or, as a result of a one-on-one ergonomics evaluation (a Microsoft company benefit available to all employees).

In the case of an employee who is off work with a disability, the Ergonomics Team collaborates with the employee, Benefits Case Manager, and healthcare provider(s) for design and implementation of the assistive technology solution. "In the case of a new hire," Meyer says, "a recruiter might flag the need. During new employee orientation, information is provided about the availability of accommodation assistance which may include assistive technology. In all cases, once the appropriate assistive technology is identified and obtained, employees are provided education to make full use of the accessible technology provided them," Meyer says.