# Read&Write (Everway package)

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/read-write/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/support/disability/spld/

Read&Write offers a range of tools to make reading and working with digital texts easier. It integrates with apps you already use, like Google Workspace, Google Chrome and Microsoft 365, and includes a PDF reader.

This software is part of the Everyway (formerly Texthelp) package, which helps to [make text more accessible](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/accessibility/#making-text-more-accessible). The package also includes [OrbitNote](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/orbitnote/) and [Equatio](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/equatio/).

## Key features

- Add a tint to your screen, using adjustable screen masking in a variety of shades.
- Screen reading tools, including a screenshot reader for accessing text within images.
- Proofread more effectively by hearing your work read back to you with text-to-speech.
- Audio maker allows you to create audio files from selected text.
- Predictive text boosts writing efficiency.
- Subject-related word banks available.

## Access instructions

- Read&Write is installed in our [computer labs](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/computers-printing-equipment/computer-labs/).
- For all other University managed devices, you can install this software from the [Software Center (Windows)](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Installing-software-on-managed-PCs) and [Self Service (Mac)](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Using-your-new-Mac#software).
- For other or personal devices, add the [Read&Write Chrome extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/readwrite-for-google-chro/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd). The extension is approved by the University.

## Related tools

- [Equatio](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/equatio/)
- [OrbitNote (PDF reader)](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/orbitnote/)
- [Google Workspace](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/google-workspace/)
- [Dragon](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/dragon/)
- [ZoomText](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/zoomtext/)
- [More accessibility tools](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/accessibility/)

Available to staff and students

You can use this service on University-managed and personal devices.

App and web-based

Compatible with Windows and Mac.

Funded by the University

There isn’t a cost to you for standard use.

## Additional information

Alternative tools

### Immersive Reader in Microsoft Edge

An alternative to the Read&Write software is [Microsoft Edge browser](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-immersive-reader-in-microsoft-edge-78a7a17d-52e1-47ee-b0ac-eff8539015e1) (microsoft.com), which has an immersive reader and annotation function. It also works with VLEBooks.

## Access instructions

- Read&Write is installed in our [computer labs](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/computers-printing-equipment/computer-labs/).
- For all other University managed devices, you can install this software from the [Software Center (Windows)](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Installing-software-on-managed-PCs) and [Self Service (Mac)](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Using-your-new-Mac#software).
- For other or personal devices, add the [Read&Write Chrome extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/readwrite-for-google-chro/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd). The extension is approved by the University.

## Related tools

- [Equatio](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/equatio/)
- [OrbitNote (PDF reader)](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/orbitnote/)
- [Google Workspace](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/google-workspace/)
- [Dragon](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/dragon/)
- [ZoomText](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/zoomtext/)
- [More accessibility tools](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/accessibility/)

## Guides and help

### How-to guides and set up

- [Introduction to Read&Write](https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/learning-tech/read-write-software)
- [Everway support documentation](https://support.texthelp.com/help) (texthelp.com)
- [More software and apps and how to obtain them](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/software/)

### Training and best practice

- The University holds a [monthly Everway/TextHelp meetup](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i2Z9LFglRe9rPJOmx1DjATXJ2QCHdKC-pLakHJWiVfE/edit?usp=sharing) where you can learn to use the software and meet other users.
- [Read&Write for Windows training guide](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y6gLkfccg-nTQizeLrJzfmhNzrfsTmZI/view)
- [Everway Academy](https://academy.texthelp.com/) (texthelp.com)

## Contact for support

If you're experiencing technical issues and need advice, please [contact IT Services](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/contact).

## Service commitments

Your responsibilities and policies

The [Read&Write End User Licence Agreement](https://docs.google.com/document/d/136yCwSjKsm-cOyjwPfVi_O_ymr-CN68O_E9f2WV3xFQ/pub) has been accepted by the University on behalf of users.

The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.

- [Information policy](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/policies/information-policy/info-policy-and-you/)
- [Using University information](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance-documents/ordinances-regulations/regulation-11/)
- [Safe use of information on devices](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/policies/information-policy/index/safe-use-of-information-on-devices/)

Service performance

### Availability

- This is a live service, available 24/7.

### Support

- This service is managed by a third party.
- They are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults. We provide advice and support for local issues during our [opening hours](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/contact/).

### Standards

- Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers. We regularly monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.

Feedback and complaints

We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.

- [How to give feedback](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/contact/feedback)
- [Complaints procedure](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/about/policies/complaints/)

Page last reviewed: 23 December 2025