Read & Write Gold Mac

Product Names: Read & Write Gold Mac
Manufacturer/Publisher: Texthelp Ltd

Read and Write Gold for Mac text to speech software offers a comprehensive reading and writing tool for literacy support – designed to help people with dyslexia

Read&Write 5 GOLD for Mac is the ultimate reading and writing toolkit for Apple Mac users. The software takes the form of a flexible toolbar that integrates with Microsoft Word for Mac, Pages and Safari. For those who require assistance in any other program, the software can also be used as a free-standing application. As such, Read&Write 5 GOLD for Mac is the most user-friendly, yet comprehensive toolbar available to assist students who have reading and writing difficulties.

Read&Write 5 GOLD for Mac has a host of reading features to help struggling readers. Text can be read from Safari, Pages, MS Word for Mac and PDFs in Adobe Reader X. Words are highlighted using Texthelp's unique 'dual coloured highlighting' system and read aloud with human sounding voices, thereby assisting with word recognition and word decoding. Paper-based documents may be accessed and read in MS Word, PDF or HTML using the 'One Touch' Scanning Tool, whilst text can be converted to MP3 or AIFF sound files for working or learning on the move.

Read&Write 5 GOLD for Mac will also help anyone wishing to compose text by offering a suite of writing tools designed specifically by Texthelp to assist individuals who have dyslexia. Texthelp's distinctive Spell-Checker offers dictionary definitions and sample sentences to ensure that the user has understood the word suggested. The user can also verify each 'homophone' or 'like sounding word' by using the Sounds Like feature. Word Prediction is available to increase the speed and improve the accuracy of writing.

Research features are also available in the software. Cognitive reading strategies such as highlighting pertinent text can be applied to the screen through the Study Skills tool. Concept mapping is also available to help the user visualise and create mental images of their work.

New and enhanced features of Read & Write 5 Gold for Mac

Pages is the Apple Word Processor in the iWork Suite. All features that integrate with MS Word will now integrate with Pages
New online dictionary tool brings up images for any selected word or the word on the clipboard
The improved Study Skills highlighters can be used to build vocabulary lists, which are ideal for vocabulary revision for ESL and SEN learners. A list is provided in MS Word or Pages with definitions and images for selected words. Students can make their own notes in the Notes section.
Improved Sounds Like and Confusable Words (Homophone Checker) - 500 Confusable word groups added to homophones, e.g. though and thorough.
New writing tool shows the verb conjugation details for any selected verb.
Improved speech includes support for Nuance voices downloadable since Mac 10.7 Lion Operating System
Improved Screenshot Reader now has the ability to re-read last screenshot without re-selecting
The Daisy Reader has improved support for poorly formatted books.
Scanning now includes Multi-Page Scanning support and support for HP scanners.
The Fact Mapper has several new improvements including the ability to upload single images for use in sites with the Fact Mapper, to choose image by browsing image categories and much more
Adobe Reader X users should be aware that the layout of PDF Aloud has changed. This is due to plug-in changes made by Adobe. The PDF Aloud plug-in can now be found under Tools in the top right-hand corner of Adobe Reader X. It is necessary to open up the plug in each time you open a PDF document. Users of Adobe Reader 9 will not be affected by this change.
New Paragraph Translator mode: it is now possible to translate paragraphs of text to and from multiple languages using Google Translate from the toolbar.