How FullFibre empowers every employee with inclusive technology, Read&Write for Work
FullFibre are leading a truly inclusive approach by providing Read&Write to all employees with an enterprise license. Their journey with inclusive technology is enhancing inclusion company-wide while also advancing their CSR efforts, making them a community champion.
In today’s modern world, where technology is deeply integrated in our day-to-day lives, FullFibre stands as a beacon of connection who are reshaping the broadband landscape across the UK. As a wholesale services-only broadband network provider, they operate much like industry giants such as BT and Openreach but with a focus on smaller, regional towns.
Driven by positive change, FullFibre champions innovation as the cornerstone of economic growth. Leading their inclusive technology journey is Natasha Bevan, Senior HR Advisor, whose commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has led the company to embrace groundbreaking tools like Read&Write.
Explore FullFibre's transformative journey with Read&Write and how it is empowering their workforce of over 230 staff, while driving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) excellence.
Outcomes
- Adopting Read&Write for all allows FullFibre to remove barriers to support: “We've noticed a significant uptake across the business. It's not about just offering it to those who ask for it; instead we've made it accessible to everyone, so nobody has to formally ask for it.”
- FullFibre are advancing their CSR strategy with Read&Write Free for Family: “Being able to offer this function to everybody and not just employees has been really rewarding, especially considering that neurodivergent conditions can be hereditary.”
- FullFibre share some of their favourite Read&Write features: “The Screen Masking tool has been really useful as it really helps me keep track of the page while reading. The Highlights feature has been really useful because I'm able to colour-code text and organise, then bring them all together really nicely.”
Ensuring equal opportunities for all
FullFibre embarked on their Read&Write journey in 2023 when they recognised its remarkable potential during our Festival of Workplace Inclusion. Understanding that this tool could benefit their entire workforce, they made the decision to make it available to all employees.
With only 76% of neurodivergent individuals choosing to disclose their condition at work, and considering the lengthy diagnosing processes, FullFibre demonstrates a truly inclusive approach by providing Read&Write as a standard tool from day one. Natasha explains the reasoning behind their approach:
“We've noticed a significant uptake across the business. It's not about just offering it to those who ask for it; instead we've made it accessible to everyone, so nobody has to formally ask for it. The Texthelp team have also been amazing to work with.”
This proactive approach removes invisible barriers to access support, ensuring that everyone can explore the benefits without the need for formal diagnosis, disclosure, or labels. Natasha also describes how Read&Write goes above and beyond free tools, with subtle support to empower employees as they work:
"We were using free online tools, but they didn't really have everything we needed. Sometimes they were glaringly obvious to people instead of being a little more subtle. Then, if people weren't sure how to install them on their computers, they had to ask for help, which they may see as embarrassing."
Making a wider impact and CSR excellence
FullFibre has also been able to expand its impact beyond its internal workforce with Read&Write’s Free for Family - allowing them to share the gift of inclusion to not only their employees but also their families for no extra cost.
Natasha explains: “Being able to offer this function to everybody and not just employees has been really rewarding, especially considering that neurodivergent conditions can be hereditary. If individuals within the business require it, there may also be people at home who need it.”
CSR is no longer a nicety, it’s a necessity to set your business apart. Read&Write Free for Family helps organisations like FullFibre to join the pledge for a more inclusive future. Studies show that 42% of how people feel about a company is based on their perception of its CSR activities.
Read&Write feature favourites
Read&Write is an expansive and user-friendly toolbar that serves as a simple solution with big impact. With a wide range of features such as Text-to-Speech, Talk&Type, Screen Masking and more, it empowers neurodivergent employees to overcome daily challenges and work to their strengths.
Natasha, who is also undergoing a diagnosis with ADHD, shares some of her favourite Read&Write features: “Read&Write has really helped me personally just because my brain can work 1,000 miles an hour. I especially like the Autocorrect function in the background as I can spell things wrong and not realise.
“The Screen Masking tool has been really useful as it really helps me keep track of the page while reading. The Highlights feature has been really useful as well because I'm able to color-code text and organize, then bring them all together really nicely.
“I'm quite excited to use the Voice Note function, especially because I'm very much an audio learner. So I know that if I've written it down and then play it back to myself, I know that I've written it right because it makes sense to me. I also really like the Prediction tool - when I can’t think of what the word is when writing, it comes in really useful.”
Texthelp: Your inclusion partner
At Texthelp, we believe that the potential of all employees, especially those with neurodivergent conditions, can be fully achieved when we offer the right software, the right support, and the right tools.
Did you know that 90% of business leaders believe that using technology to improve work outcomes is very important to their organisation's success? Yet only 23% believe that their organisations are truly ready to use technology to improve work outcomes and team performance.
At Texthelp, we go beyond simply providing inclusive technology – we're your inclusion partners, assisting you every step of the way on your DEI journey. From implementing inclusive technologies to offering additional resources through our training hub, the Texthelp Academy, we ensure your workplace becomes fully educated to foster a neuroinclusive culture.
Don't miss our upcoming webinar on how to unlock the talents of employees with ADHD & Dyslexia
In this webinar, you'll hear from two leading inclusion experts. They will discuss the value neurodivergent thinking brings to the workplace and how to support and empower employees with ADHD and Dyslexia using Texthelp's inclusive technology, Read&Write.
April 10th (11am EST | 4pm BST). Can't make it? Sign up anyway to receive the full recording!