Read & Write

Read & Write

What is Read & Write?

• Read and Write is a software that reads out documents to the user.
• Read and Write also allows you to take notes (either typed or voice notes) and insert them onto the document.

Steps for Installing the Desktop Version

1. Google "Read and Write"
2. Click on the link that says "Windows" even if you are not using a windows device.

3. Click on the pink "Try Read & Write " button.

4. Select the appropriate version of Read & Write  for your device from the dropdown menu.

5. A new file titled "Read & Write.exe" should start downloading.
6. After it has completed downloading, run the file and follow the Read & Write  installation prompt screens.

7. In the top right corner of Read & Write , there is an icon of a person with a line through it. Click on that icon.

8. Choose "sign in with google" and sign in using your ISU email.

Google Extensions

• The downloaded Read & Write  software does not work on browsers.
• Instead, a few Google Extensions must be added to use Read & Write .
• The tools in the Read & Write  extension work the exact same way in the software version.

• You should also get the "Screenshot Reader" extension for better screenshot reading ability.
  • Any section that Read & Write  cannot read can be read by using the screenshot reader.

Using Read & Write

• When using Read and Write you can use many different functions and tools. 
• You can see some of the tools on the top toolbar, but there are also settings you can toggle when you click the three stacked horizontal lines at the top right of the screen.
• This blue toolbar can be dragged around and moved if it gets in the way of anything on your screen.
  • When you move it, it will condense but you can still use all of the functions by hitting the small, upside-down triangle next to the three lines.

• There are video tutorials for all of the tools if you hit the “i” icon next to the profile button and then hit “Video Tours”.

Read & Write Settings

• Speak as I Type: Read and Write will read out each word that is typed as it is typed. When a sentence is finished it will read out the whole sentence.
• Screen Reading: Read and Write will tell you what screen you are on. For example, if you are in a Word Document it will say “Microsoft Word Document”
• Continuous Reading: This must be toggled ON if you want Read and Write to read out a whole text to you. If it is turned off it will only be read one sentence at a time, and you will have to click on each sentence you want to read.
• Pop-Up Dictionary: You can highlight a word and after a second, a small definition should pop up.

Read & Write Tools (From left to right)

• Check It: Incorrectly spelled words will be underlined and then you can hover over it and it will give you different options beneath it to fix the spelling.

• Prediction: Text predictions will pop up under where you are typing and can by selected to add the word.
• Dictionary: Type a word into the text box and you will get a definition.
• Picture Dictionary: Type a word into the text box and you will get definitions in the form of pictures/models.
• Rewind, Play, Pause, Forward, and Stop: When Read and Write is reading out loud, the rewind, play, pause, forward, and stop buttons can be used to control what it reads.
• Screenshot Reader: You should be able to drag a box over a screenshot or picture and it should read the text on the screenshot/picture.
• Scan: You can scan your screen to create a PDF or Word Document.
• Audio Maker: You can either type or paste text into the audio maker to create an mp3 file of the text.
• Screen Masking: Helps to reduce screen glare or mask distracting areas. The type of screen masking can be toggled using the settings icon that will pop up at the bottom right of the screen when screen masking is turned on.
• Talk & Type: Speak and it will be turned into text.
• Translator: Select text and you can translate it into another language.
• PDF Reader: This allows you to read PDFs that you upload to it. The OrbitNote Extension is also used for PDFs.
• Highlighters, Erase Highlights, and Collect Highlights: This lets you highlight any areas in four different colors. You can also erase the highlights or collect them into a Word Document.
• Vocabulary List: Select or highlight words that you want added to your list and then hit the vocabulary list button. It will then create a table in another word document giving definitions of the selected words.
• Voice Note: This lets you speak to leave notes.