About
ClaroRead is a specialist literacy and accessibility software developed by Claro Software (part of the Everway group) for students and learners who need additional support due to dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, visual impairments, or other learning differences. The tool provides powerful text-to-speech capabilities that read on-screen text aloud in natural-sounding voices, helping users engage with documents, web pages, and study materials more easily. ClaroRead also includes word prediction to speed up and improve the accuracy of writing, a screenshot reader for inaccessible content such as images or locked PDFs, and scanning support to digitise physical documents. Its exam support mode is specifically tailored for use in exam access arrangements, making it a trusted choice in UK educational settings. ClaroRead integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Word and common PDF formats, fitting into existing academic workflows without disruption. The software is available for both Windows and Mac platforms, and is frequently recommended by disability assessors and funded through the UK government's Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) and similar grant schemes. It is suitable for students in higher education, secondary schools, and workplace environments seeking assistive technology to overcome literacy barriers.
Key Features
- Text-to-Speech Reading: Reads on-screen text aloud in natural-sounding voices, supporting comprehension of documents, web pages, and study materials.
- Exam Access Support: Dedicated exam mode designed to comply with exam access arrangements, enabling students to use assistive technology during formal assessments.
- Word Prediction: Intelligent word prediction helps students write faster and more accurately, reducing the cognitive load of spelling and sentence construction.
- Screenshot Reader: Reads text from images, locked PDFs, and other inaccessible on-screen content using OCR technology.
- Document & PDF Integration: Works seamlessly with Microsoft Word, PDFs, and common file formats used in academic and professional environments.
Use Cases
- A university student with dyslexia uses ClaroRead's text-to-speech to listen to lecture notes and research papers, improving reading speed and comprehension.
- A student with ADHD uses word prediction and read-back features in Microsoft Word to check and improve written assignments before submission.
- An exam candidate with a visual impairment uses ClaroRead's exam mode during formal assessments under approved access arrangements.
- A student uses the screenshot reader to access text within image-based PDFs or scanned documents that cannot be read by standard screen readers.
- A disability assessor recommends ClaroRead as part of a DSA-funded assistive technology package for a student newly diagnosed with dyspraxia.
Pros
- DSA Funded: Frequently recommended and funded through the UK's Disabled Students' Allowance, making it accessible to eligible university students at no personal cost.
- Comprehensive Literacy Support: Combines text-to-speech, word prediction, and OCR in a single package, covering a wide range of literacy needs for neurodivergent learners.
- Exam-Ready: Specifically designed for use in formal exam access arrangements, giving it a trusted status in UK educational institutions.
Cons
- Paid Software: ClaroRead requires purchase unless funded through a grant scheme like DSA, which may limit accessibility for users outside the UK or without grant eligibility.
- UK-Centric Focus: Much of the onboarding and funding support is tailored to the UK education system, making it less immediately relevant for international users.
- Desktop-First Experience: Primarily designed for Windows and Mac desktop environments, with more limited support for mobile or purely browser-based workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ClaroRead used for?
ClaroRead is used to support students with dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, and other learning differences. It reads text aloud, predicts words during writing, and provides exam access support tools.
Can ClaroRead be funded through the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
Yes. ClaroRead is one of the most commonly recommended tools by DSA disability assessors in the UK, and eligible students can often receive it fully funded through the DSA grant.
What platforms does ClaroRead support?
ClaroRead is available for Windows and macOS desktop environments and integrates with Microsoft Word and common PDF formats.
Is ClaroRead suitable for use in exams?
Yes. ClaroRead includes a dedicated exam support mode designed to comply with formal exam access arrangements used in UK schools and universities.
Who is ClaroRead made by?
ClaroRead is developed by Claro Software, which is part of the Everway group — a company specialising in assistive technology and neuroinclusion tools for education and the workplace.
