Making Reading Real
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Institute of Neurology
Abstract
Introduction
Millions of people in the world live with reading difficulties due to stroke or neurodegenerative conditions affecting the back of the brain - the area that controls vision. This is a devastating experience that has a pervasive and enduring impact on people's lives (see Figure below). In my research, I found a way to manipulate the text displayed in a reader device to compensate for this brain damage and enable reading in this population. In the current project I aim to transform these manipulation techniques into a commercially viable software.
Methods
A browser-based and app-based prototypes of the reading aid will be developed to enable market research. Desirability, feasibility and viability will be tested through interactive testing of the mentioned prototypes with end-user. Surveys, focus groups and field trials will be used for this purpose. I will receive coaching and mentorship from Zinc to develop a business plan to take forward beyond the award.
Expected results
This app will: 1) fill a global gap in healthcare, since no other assistive readers exist for people with neurological conditions, 2) be universally available, free of charge, across all operating systems and web-browsers so no one with access to the internet will face barriers to use it, 3) have customized settings to suit the type and severity of neurological impairment, 4) operate in any language, that is, give millions of people in the world the opportunity to read again, and 5) my international implementation plan will make the reading app widely recognised in healthcare and rehabilitation settings worldwide.
Millions of people in the world live with reading difficulties due to stroke or neurodegenerative conditions affecting the back of the brain - the area that controls vision. This is a devastating experience that has a pervasive and enduring impact on people's lives (see Figure below). In my research, I found a way to manipulate the text displayed in a reader device to compensate for this brain damage and enable reading in this population. In the current project I aim to transform these manipulation techniques into a commercially viable software.
Methods
A browser-based and app-based prototypes of the reading aid will be developed to enable market research. Desirability, feasibility and viability will be tested through interactive testing of the mentioned prototypes with end-user. Surveys, focus groups and field trials will be used for this purpose. I will receive coaching and mentorship from Zinc to develop a business plan to take forward beyond the award.
Expected results
This app will: 1) fill a global gap in healthcare, since no other assistive readers exist for people with neurological conditions, 2) be universally available, free of charge, across all operating systems and web-browsers so no one with access to the internet will face barriers to use it, 3) have customized settings to suit the type and severity of neurological impairment, 4) operate in any language, that is, give millions of people in the world the opportunity to read again, and 5) my international implementation plan will make the reading app widely recognised in healthcare and rehabilitation settings worldwide.
Organisations
Publications
Suárez-González A
(2021)
Semantic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia: Practical Recommendations for Treatment from 20 Years of Behavioural Research.
in Brain sciences
| Description | This has been an innovation award where we tested the viability in the market of a reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment. As a result of this funding and the programme of support linked to it, we achieved: - Built 3 app prototypes to work across platforms, in English and Spanish. - Launch of 3 minimum viable product versions of the app (for IOS, Android and web versions). - Insight from focus groups on the usability of the app and willingness to pay for the app. - Ongoing data collection through surveys embedded in the apps available in the app stores for IOS and Android. - Secured new funding and a new package of support from The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. - Developed a business plan to make the app sustainable. - Built a network of supporters and mentors from the start-up community. - Multiple dissemination outputs (e.g, blogs, short films, documentaries and talks for specialised and non-specialised forums and innovation events). |
| Exploitation Route | The app is already publicly available and people with brain-related visual impairment are already using it. This is allowing data collection and market research to lay the foundation of the next step, which is making the app sustainable in the long term. The outcomes from this funding have placed me in an excellent position to secure new funding (from The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs) and support from UCL-Business. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.makingreadingreal.org/en-gb |
| Description | The reading app has engaged nearly 2000 users from 4 continents to date. Most users find the app through social media, support groups or a recommendation by their clinicians (neurologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and psychologists) which is a reflection of the impact of our outreach activity during the award (> 21 activities of public engagement in 12 months). The ongoing feedback that users keep providing is informing the next version of the app (e.g., content and revamp of the user interface) and also strengthening new successful funding applications aimed at supporting such development. The progress made during this award has unlocked opportunities for collaboration with other entrepreneurs (e.g., The Thinking Eye), recruited sources of mentoring and placed the project in the innovation ecosystem, which is eventually leading to increased opportunities for further development and sustainability of the project long term (e.g., through partnerships with already established social enterprises and third sector organisations). The project has reached now the stage of commercialisation and a business plan is being developed with the support of UCL-Business and the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. The team is currently having conversations with potential business partners to reach this next milestone. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Consortium of Clinical Neuropsychology (Spain) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | https://consorciodeneuropsicologia.org/premio-cnc-2022-aida-suarez-gonzalez/ |
| Description | Consortium of Clinical Neuropsychology (Spain) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | https://consorciodeneuropsicologia.org/premio-cnc-2022-aida-suarez-gonzalez/ |
| Description | Lecture for UCL MSc Dementia students on Covid and Dementia |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Talk for the Neurology Department at Charing Cross Hospital |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Long COVID in non-hospitalised individuals |
| Amount | £1,287,060 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | COV-LT2-0014 |
| Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 01/2024 |
| Title | ReadClear Android English |
| Description | A reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment that operates in Android services. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | It has not been released yet but it can be downloaded from: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.readclearapp |
| Title | ReadClear Android Spanish |
| Description | A reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment that operates in Android devices in Spanish language. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The software has not been released yet. It will be available in the next few weeks. It can provisionally be downloaded from: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.readclearappespanol |
| Title | ReadClear IOS English |
| Description | A reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment that operates in IOS devices. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The software has not been released yet. It will be available in the next few weeks. |
| Title | ReadClear IOS Spanish |
| Description | A reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment that operates in IOS devices in Spanish language. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The software has not been released yet. It will be available in the next few weeks. It can be provisionally downloaded from: https://testflight.apple.com/join/X51bTXd6 |
| Title | Web app browser version ReadClear English |
| Description | A reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment that runs in Chrome in the English language. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The software has not been released yet. It will be available in the next few weeks. It can provisionally be accessed via https://en.app.makingreadingreal.org/ |
| Title | Web app browser version ReadClear Spanish |
| Description | A reading aid for people with brain-related visual impairment that runs in Chrome in the Spanish language. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The software has not been released yet. It will be available in the next few weeks. It can provisionally be accessed via https://es.app.makingreadingreal.org/ |
| Description | Blog educational lay summary about the evidence behind ReadClear |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The educational blog explaining the research evidence behind the reading tool we are developing was written in a lay language and shared in social media (I have > 1900 followers on Twitter). This was intended to educate patients and clinicians on the strong scientific evidence backing the reader. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.makingreadingreal.org/en-gb/education/lay-summary-scientific-evidence-behind-read-clear |
| Description | Blog entry - My Journey as a Catalyst Award holder |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In this blog entry, I share my experience applying for the UKRI Healthy Aging Catalyst Awards and tips for future applicants. It was shared on social media (I have > 1900 followers on Twitter) and used by the UKRI partner organisation Zinc to promote the 2022/2023 funding call. This blog entry was intended to raise awareness about the awards and encourage other researchers to apply. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.makingreadingreal.org/blog/intro-to-application-process |
| Description | Catalan Society of Neuropsychology Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a talk for the Catalan Society of Neuropsychology that sparked many questions and requests for further information. I received invites to talk in other events later in the year from attendants to this talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Documentary Making Reading Real |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | UKRI commissioned this impactful documentary about my project. This film has been watched many times, showcased in innovation events and I have used it myself as a presentation for my project uncountable times. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O4hWqt8evs |
| Description | Dunhill Medical Trust - Success stories |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Dunhill Medical Trust commissioned this piece to showcase the story of my project. The write up has drawn attention to my project and created new opportunities for support. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://dunhillmedical.org.uk/success-stories/returning-the-pleasure-of-reading-to-people-with-demen... |
| Description | Fireside Chat Event: "6 Tips from Current UKRI Healthy Ageing Catalyst Awards winners for Recording Your Video Submission" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I shared my experience during the application process of the Catalyst awards my top 6 tips for recording the video element of the UKRI Healthy Ageing Catalyst Awards Expression of Interest submission. This was a Fireside chat organised by Zinc to support the current cohort of applicants. The talk sparked further interest in the attendants and I received consequent requests for advice by email in the days following the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFx3KSKclQ8&feature=youtu.be |
| Description | Inclusive co design - unlocking innovation with people |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I took part in the Healthy Ageing Conference 2022 in the panel: Inclusive co-design, unlocking opportunities with people. Many people approached me after the talk and I had the opportunity to establish a new network of potential collaborators. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhBUGHrSeHw |
| Description | International Clinical Peer Consultation Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I set up and lead an international and multidisciplinary peer consultation group with over 20 clinicians from 3 continents attending regularly. The intended purpose of this group is to share practice and knowledge on the rehabilitation and non-pharmacological support of people living with non-memory led dementias. This is an excellent forum for the dissemination of the assistive technology tool I´m developing as part of my UKRI Catalyst project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Interview for Zinc promo video for the 3rd UKRI Zinc Catalyst Awards call |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I recorded an interview for Zinc to promote the 3rd cohort of UKRI Healthy Aging Catalyst Awards. The recording was shared widely in social media (Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook) and used in the Prototype workshop sessions of this year´s call. Its purpose was to share my experience with the UKRI-Zinc package of support, raise awareness about this funding opportunity and encourage other people to apply. The information I shared during the interview was valued and found useful by upcoming applicants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thOXI35fhIE&utm_campaign=Catalyst%20Recruitment%20III&utm_content=19... |
| Description | Invited Talk (University of Texas) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a talk to the University of Texas Aphasia Lab which is composed by speech and language therapists who eventually helped with the dissemination of my project (the reading app) in the States. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Liverpool Dementia Forum: Therapy and support for people living with non-memory led dementias |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | More than 90 people attended live and more than 100 viewed the recording of this talk on Youtube. It was intended to educate families and patients on the therapeutic options available to the different types of non-memory led dementias. I received requests for further advice and information by email after the talk, most of them from patients and professionals based overseas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt2CwapSsRc |
| Description | Pitchign Event at Zinc |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I pitched my innovation project in the closure event of the UKRI Catalyst awards in front of colleagues, representatives from industry and third sector organisations. This event increased my visibility and led to a new network and dissemination opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Practical tips to support activities of daily living on people with dementia-related visual impairment and apraxia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | I gave this talk for UEA Dementia Open Forum about strategies to support daily activities on people with dementia. I was contacted by healthcare professionals afterwards requesting further information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEremgsuG0A |
| Description | Project Facebook page |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | I set up a Facebook page as part of the marketing and dissemination strategy for my project. Through this page, I have already reached patient groups, some of them having more than 11,000 members worldwide. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/ReadClear |
| Description | Promo video "Making Reading Real" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I created a promo video to explain what our e-reader does and what is the evidence backing its effectiveness. This is on display on the project's website and has been shared on social media (more than 1900 followers only on Twitter). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjZ18daJeSY&feature=youtu.be |
| Description | Talk for the Institute of Neurology at UCL: 'UKRI - Zinc Catalyst Awards: what they are and top tips for a successful application' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | More than 20 colleagues from my department at the Institute of Neurology at UCL attended my talk "UKRI - Zinc Catalyst Awards: what they are and top tips for a successful application". This talk was intended to raise awareness about the awards, encourage colleagues to apply and share tips and advice to put together a successful application based on my own experience as an award winner. The talk sparked questions and interest and put the awards on the radar of many colleagues at UCL. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk: Apathy and depression: tools for people living with PPA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk to educate families and patients with dementia about the strategies and therapeutic options to manage dementia-related apathy and depression. Around 100 people attended the live event and more than 350 viewed the recording on youtube. I received queries adn requests for advice from colleagues based overseas after this talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Za5Qt0TJA |
| Description | Therapies for PPA - RDS Canda |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Delivered a talk about therapies for language-led dementia for the Canadian charity RDS Canada. The organisers reported high levels of satisfaction among attendants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rare-and-young-onset-dementia-knowledge-exchange-tickets-317742615717 |
| Description | UKRI Healthy Ageing Catalyst Awards Start-up Showcase, hosted by AGENCY |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I pitched my project in a virtual international showcase of UK-based startups led by researchers who are innovating at the intersection of healthy ageing, emerging tech, and socioeconomic equality. The event attracted interest to my project and led to new networking opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Website launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | I launched a website to support the visibility adn dissemination of my UKRI Catalyst project. The website is proving very useful to publish lay summaries, educational blogs, showcase milestones and outcomes and as a window for the project to connect with the world. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.makingreadingreal.org/en-gb/education/lay-summary-scientific-evidence-behind-read-clear |
| Description | Zinc's Programme of Support - My experience with Zinc |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Zinc recorded this interview to give me the opportunity to share my experience through the programme of support as a Catalyst Award winner. The film contributed to raise the profile of my project and led to new networking and funding opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thOXI35fhIE |