WordQ™ Writing Software

WordQ is a simple and easy-to-use tool that helps you write independently and with confidence!

WordQ™ is a software tool used along with standard writing software. WordQ suggests words for you to use and provides spoken feedback to help you find mistakes. Users of all ages who have problems writing and editing, particularly those with learning disabilities (LD), can benefit from using WordQ. It features a carefully thought-out design with only essential functions that have demonstrated benefits to help students write. Word prediction and speech feedback are important functions that bolster students' strengths to assist writing. Read more...

WordQ was researched and developed at Bloorview Kids Rehab, an internationally renowned children’s rehabilitation hospital located in Toronto, Canada along with educators and professionals working with students with learning disabilities.

Install WordQ and begin using it immediately with any word processor. State-of-the-art word prediction suggests words when you have trouble spelling or choosing the right word. A special text-reading mode helps you proofread. With Microsoft® Word, WordPad, Notepad or Outlook, text can be highlighted and read aloud within that application.

WordQ does not correct your grammar, sort out your punctuation or provide you with creative ideas. Instead WordQ allows you to independently write your own ideas, and check your spelling, grammar and punctuation so that you can become a more competent and confident writer.

WordQ benefits a wide range of users; it helps develop confidence, improves productivity, increases self-esteem and fosters a spirit of inclusion – some of our users say that it has changed their lives! The main advantage of WordQ over other products is that it is extremely clean, simple and easy-to-use. Teachers in special education will appreciate its simplicity.

WordQ 2 now includes:

• Natural sounding text-to-speech
• In-context prediction for corrections
• Usage examples for confusing words
• Predictions based on creative spelling

Read about how one school board is backing WordQ and SpeakQ software for all students.

On April 27, 2008 Quillsoft was featured on 21st Century Business hosted by General Alexander Haig. View this in streaming video below. (Apple Quicktime required). On this segment, Dr. Fraser Shein, President & CEO of Quillsoft and DJ Cunningham, Coaching Coordinator for Assistive Technology, Strategic Transitions, discuss WordQ and SpeakQ.

"Being able to express yourself effectively through written form is a right that everyone should enjoy. Quillsoft recognizes that it is not always easy for many people who struggle with their writing. Through our WordQ and SpeakQ software, we provide a life-long tool that is powerful and easy-to-use so that individuals can overcome their writing difficulties and achieve their true potential at school, in their community and at work," added Dr. Fraser Shein.

Vista Compatibility: WordQ 2.2 will function in Windows Vista. However, special instructions must be followed to register its serial number. WordQ v2.3 with several updated functions to ensure full compatibility with Windows Vista should be available soon.

SpeakQ™ speech recognition plug-in for WordQ 2

SpeakQ helps you focus on writing through your voice... simply!

SpeakQ is for those who cannot use other speech recognition products because they cannot fluently dictate at fast rate, remember verbal commands, and/or get through training.

SpeakQ plugs into WordQ and adds simple speech recognition. Conventional speech recognition systems are designed primarily as a productivity tool for persons who have no trouble writing (and dictating) or as an alternative hands-free access tool for persons with physical disabilities. WordQ/SpeakQ, on the other hand, is for those who can type but who have trouble writing and reading in the first place. They can benefit from a combination of word prediction, speech output and speech input to generate text when stuck with spelling and word forms, identifying errors, proofreading and editing. Such users may find it difficult or impossible to use other speech recognition products because of reading demands and complexity.

SpeakQ features a simple training interface where the computer prompts you by voice what to say. You can then dictate directly into any document or dictate into WordQ's prediction list. Your speech is combined with the word prediction. To keep it simple, there are no verbal commands. You only dictate text. Teachers in special education will appreciate its simplicity.

"I had a 9-year-old laugh out loud and say, "Look at that - I wrote a paragraph." SpeakQ worked for her! It has gotten my approval" (Teacher)

"Before this technology, my son's school only ever saw him as a learning-disabled child with a pile of deficits. Now they see a kid with all these strengths." (Parent)

Issues with conventional speech recognition

• Difficult or impossible to customize training text
• Often difficult to read training text
• Continuous dictation is difficult
• Difficult to monitor recognized speech
• Complex control and correction
• Unable to integrate word prediction and speech feedback
• Inevitable return to keyboard-only use

SpeakQ solution

• Simplified customizable training
• Speech prompting during training
• Discrete (combined with word prediction) or continuous dictation modes
• Ongoing speech feedback of recognized words
• No verbal commands for control or correction
• Tightly integrated word prediction, speech feedback and speech input
• Assumes that user will both type and use speech recognition

SpeakQ Tips

Vista Compatibility: Speak 1.2 will NOT function in Windows Vista due to significant changes (improvements) to Microsoft speech recognition. SpeakQ v1.3 with several updated functions to ensure full compatibility with Windows Vista should be available soon.