I have severe dyslexia and have been a heavy user of assistive software since the end of primary school. I also had a great deal of support at school, including a reader and laptop in exams and extra English tuition.
While at school and university I realised that the assistive software available wasn't satisfying all of my needs. My ideas couldn't flow because they were constantly being disrupted by thinking about spelling. And my spelling wasn't improving because I was never fully focusing on that either. So I developed my own assistive software to combat these problems.
Now I've graduated from Cardiff University and I'm using my skills and knowledge to help other people like me to achieve their full potential. I have set up my own company, LexAble (www.LexAble.com), and the software I developed, Global AutoCorrect, is available on the disabled students allowance (and hopefully also through Access to Work soon).
I'm very aware that if I'd been born just a few years earlier or had less supportive school or parents I would not have completed my GCSEs, let alone graduated. I've been extremely lucky, and for that reason I'm passionate about helping other people with dyslexia and other disabilities to achieve their full potential.
Neil Cottrell
LexAble