Read&Write Gold Text Reading and Writing Program Review

Read&Write Gold is an assistive technology software program. It provides text reading and writing to assist children and adults with reading and writing disabilities. Developed by Texthelp Systems, this  software is designed to improve reading comprehension, help struggling readers process and comprehend large amounts of text, help users conduct research, and enable struggling writers to produce quality written documents.

Read&Write is no longer available in a version labeled Read&Write Gold. The versions available as of June, 2017 include:

• Read&Write: Single-user version, available cross-platform for use on any device.
• Read&Write for Education
• Read&Write for Work

About Read&Write Gold

The software reads electronic text from sources such as e-books, websites, and documents created in word-processing programs. Read&Write Gold helps writers with predictive spelling, word choice, dictionary, and thesaurus features. The program includes voice dictation that also reads aloud what students write and helps them identify errors.

It also includes multiple additional tools to help students with classwork and tools that actually help teach reading and writing skills. is an excellent product with potential to improve learning for students with reading and writing disabilities. The tools in this program will help struggling readers and writers to become more independent in the classroom.

What Is Included

• It uses high-quality computerized voices.
• Editing tools such as a spell checker, word predictor, dictionary, word wizard thesaurus, and a sounds alike tool that helps users determine if they've chosen the correct homophones in their writing
• An MP3 converter to convert text into files for later playback in an MP3 player

• A pronunciation tutor, fact finding tool, fact mapping graphic organizer tool
• A voice dictation tool for writing assistance
• A floating toolbar that allows users to access Read&Write Gold from within other programs such as word processing programs or .pdf reader programs.

Pros

• Computerized voices are well developed and among the most natural-sounding on the market.
• The program features text reading, voice dictation, research aides, and teaching tools.
• Read & Write Gold supports students throughout the reading, writing, and learning process.

Cons

• The program is expensive and may be beyond some schools' budgets.
• Students will require assistance in learning to use the program, but help is available.

Bottom Line on Read&Write Gold

Read & Write Gold is likely to be a helpful tool for students with learning disabilities in reading, writing, and language disorders to promote skill development and increase independence in the classroom. However, the program is complex, and students will likely need teacher support in learning how to use it. That said, there are several resources available from the publisher to help such as online help, training guides, video guided tours, webinars, and interactive online product training.

The other versions available have not been reviewed, but the company has continued to develop their products to be functional across multiple platforms and with changing technology.