Quillsoft Ltd.

A Memo from the CEO

All of us here at Quillsoft have personal experiences regarding difficulties with reading and writing. Whether we are talking about ourselves or our loved ones, it is something that touches all aspects of our lives at school, home, or the workplace. As such, I have dedicated my life’s work to researching and developing assistive technology to enable people to unleash their potential. Similarly, our Quillsoft staff have dedicated their careers in this mission.

My journey began in the early 1980s when I helped create and lead Canada's first R&D team, focusing on emerging computer technology, for children with disabilities. One of our first achievements was software to allow non-speaking young kids with cerebral palsy to create drawings on a computer, with one or a few switches, entirely by coding using Blissymbols. In the mid-80s, my team worked closely with IBM to help them ensure personal computers would be accessible. This work has influenced all computers throughout the world. By 1991, we had developed WiViK, the first commercial onscreen keyboard for Microsoft Windows.  As you know, onscreen keyboards are now ubiquitous, on all mobile/tablet devices.

My team was involved in a group of university and hospital research labs, called the Ontario Rehabilitation Technology Consortium ORTC from 1992 through to 2002. This consortium had a shared goal of bringing effective rehabilitation technology through R&D and commercialization to those who can benefit. During this time, we began designing and developing a new product to support students with learning disabilities. We started at ground zero in its design and only added functionality that was backed up by research. By 1999, we had developed the WordQ software, and conducted extensive evaluations across Canada and the US. WordQ is a simple-to-use writing tool that helps students create better quality writing with greater independence and confidence. It provides ongoing compensatory support for students with learning and physical disabilities, and, in general, anyone who faces barriers in writing for any reason. As well, it complements reading and writing instruction for students who are learning English or French.

At that time, I sought a commercial partner with a vision with far-reaching international capabilities to distribute WordQ. Unable to find such a partner, I created Quillsoft in partnership with the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, a leading research hospital in Canada. In 2001, operations began literally in my basement. Later that year, we started to sell WordQ. 23 years later, it remains our flagship product.

Over the years, our products and technology have evolved. Now we are offering a comprehensive range of software solutions to support inclusive literacy and education, globally. Everything that we do is evidence-based with input from educators and clinicians supported by a development staff within Quillsoft of exceptional software developers and engineers, some of whom have been with us for 20 years or longer. We also hold several patents for functions embedded within our software solutions.

Today, we are also partnered with the Nisai Group, which has celebrated 25 years of supporting hard-to-reach and hard-to-teach learners in achieving academic and personal success. Together with Nisai, we are evolving from an EdTech company to an education company offering a suite of solutions.

At the core of all our solutions, both present and future are:

Esteem. Acceptance. Confidence. Achievement. Belonging. Worthiness. Happiness. & Success.

These are not words that students often associate with expressing themselves in writing. They are intangible, not something to be touched, tasted, or marked like spelling and grammar. However, they are some of the true benefits and rewards for being able to communicate effectively through writing.

I encourage you to review our website and reach out to us to discuss our solutions and to provide any feedback you may have. It’s always welcome.

Best regards,

Fraser Shein