Quillsoft is a Canadian-founded organization with majority Canadian ownership, built on a deep, collective understanding of the challenges people face with reading and writing.
Quillsoft is a Canadian-founded organization with majority Canadian ownership, built on a deep, collective understanding of the challenges people face with reading and writing. Our team brings a personal and professional commitment to developing assistive technologies that help individuals unlock their full potential.
Founded in 2000 in partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Quillsoft grew out of a pioneering research group focused on accessible technology for children with disabilities. Early innovations included software that allowed non-verbal children with cerebral palsy to communicate and draw on computers, and the development of WiViK—the first commercial onscreen keyboard for Windows, now standard in today’s operating systems.
Our flagship product, WordQ, was created through close collaboration with academic and clinical experts. It supports learners with learning and physical disabilities—and anyone who faces challenges with writing. Our development process is evidence-based and shaped by ongoing input from educators, clinicians, and long-serving developers, some of whom have been with us for over 20 years.
Today, in partnership with the Nisai Group, Quillsoft is expanding globally, evolving from a leading assistive technology provider into a comprehensive education partner. Guided by the values of inclusion, confidence, and achievement, we remain dedicated to making written communication accessible for everyone.
For You
Experience writing and reading with greater independence and confidence using WordQ. Whether you struggle with spelling, grammar, or simply want to boost your writing efficiency, WordQ’s intelligent word prediction and speech feedback help you express your ideas clearly and efficiently.
For Schools, Colleges & HE.
Empower every student to succeed with WordQ, the inclusive literacy tool trusted by schools worldwide. WordQ’s intelligent word prediction, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text features break down barriers to reading and writing, supporting students with learning differences, physical disabilities, or those learning English or French as a second language
For the Workplace
WordQ serves as a user-friendly writing software tool designed to empower individuals in creating higher-quality writing with increased independence and confidence. It offers ongoing compensatory support for individuals with learning differences (e.g., dyslexia) or physical disabilities, as well as anyone facing writing barriers.
Our Directors
Fraser Shein
CEO
Fraser Shein is the founder of Quillsoft and as CEO he is responsible for the overall operations of the company, including product development, marketing, communications, and logistics. Dr. Shein is also Chair of the Board of Directors.
As VP, R&D, Dr. Shein is responsible for the day-to-day operations relating to R&D. Specific responsibilities include directing and contributing to both research and commercial development; developing and managing academic partnerships; and seeking new R&D funding opportunities.
After earning his PHD at UofT, Dr. Shein founded Quillsoft in 2000. He worked as a rehabilitation engineer and scientist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital from 1979 – 2010 where he became an internationally recognized expert in computer accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Since 2011, Dr. Shein has managed Quillsoft full-time.
In his spare time, Dr. Shein is an avid photographer, musician and advocate.
Dhruv Patel
Chairman
Dhruv Patel is the CEO of the Nisai Group, an organisation dedicated to making education accessible to students around the world. For the past 27 years, Nisai has dedicated itself to providing services that support and achieve outcomes for young people around the world.
Dhruv started his career as an accountant before recognising a need for high-quality training services and eventually education for young people. His work today focuses on accessible education to learners who would otherwise miss out through the use of technology and qualified teaching staff, thereby helping to achieve SDG2030 goals.
Dhruv Patel was recognized as a Fellow Doctor of the Royal Institute of Education by The Royal Institute of Singapore and listed in the Financial Times Top 100 BAME Leaders in Technology.
Today, Dhruv serves as the Chairman of Quillsoft.