Media release

17 October 2017

Dashing dyslexic Ross Linnett takes part in Dyslexia Dash

Ross Linnett, the CEO and founder of Gateshead-based accessibility software company Recite Me, took on the Dyslexia Dash 2017 5k Run/Walk in Atlanta, Georgia, USA on Saturday (14/10/2017).

He was in Atlanta representing Recite Me after the company won a place on technology giant Sage's Start-up exchange competition to help launch Recite Me in the US market and grow the business in foreign markets.

The Dyslexia Dash was organised by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) as it celebrates October as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Georgia.

The Dyslexia Dash is the IDA Georgia branch's biggest fundraiser and this year's event attracted more than 1,500 runners and walkers.

The morning is a fun-filled family event that also helps to increase awareness of dyslexia.

Recite Me was a gold sponsor of this year's Dyslexia Dash and Ross, who has dyslexia and comes from an athletic background with 100 metre sprint titles to his name, put his running shoes on to show his personal support for the event.

The steady growth of the Dyslexia Dash and participation of sponsors like Recite Me has helped the IDA Georgia branch to raise significant funds.

These enable it to provide teacher training and conference scholarships, information and support to families, and free community outreach events throughout the state of Georgia.

For example, the IDA Georgia branch has provided more than $40,000 back to the community for free and low-cost structured literacy teacher training, as well as over 40 free community outreach events in 2017 alone.

The start-up exchange programme was launched by Sage in partnership with the Department for International Trade, Newcastle City Council, Invest Atlanta, and the Atlanta Mayor's Office.

It has connected Recite Me with national and regional decision makers and helped the company engage with investors and business leaders in its industry.

Ross Linnett said: "I've had a brilliant experience in Atlanta as part of the Recite Me team taking part in Sage's Start-up exchange.

"And it was great to take part in the Dyslexia Dash.

"It's an event that raises funds to help the great work that the IDA Georgia branch does to help people in Georgia who have dyslexia.

"I'm dyslexic so I understand the huge difference support can make to help people with dyslexia to thrive in everyday life.

"It was a real pleasure for Recite Me to sponsor the event and for me to get a chance to get out for a run in the USA."

Karen Huppertz, President of the IDA Georgia branch, said: "While as a 501(c)3 organization, IDA does not endorse specific products.

"We do, however, support and encourage technology like Recite Me's web accessibility solutions that make websites more accessible to all people.

"As a 2017 Dyslexia Dash sponsor, Recite Me helped support IDA's mission to provide resources and support for parents, educators and people affected by dyslexia."

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

Image Captions

Image 1: Ross Linnett, Recite Me CEO & Founder, at the finish of the Dyslexia Dash 2017

Image 2: Ross Linnett, Recite Me CEO & Founder, pictured after running the Dyslexia Dash 2017

For more information about Recite Me please contact Catherine Grinyer:  

Email: catherine@bigvoicecommunications.co.uk  

Mobile: 07713 248387 

About Recite Me

1. Recite Me is an innovative Cloud based web accessibility solution which allows website visitors to customise websites the way they need it to work for them.

2. A live demonstration of the Recite software is available: www.reciteme.com/contact/trial

3. The software includes text to speech functionality, dyslexia software, an interactive dictionary, a translation tool with over 100 languages and many other features.

4. Ross Linnett is the CEO and Founder of Recite Me and is available for interview or comment. Ross was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult and founded Recite Me because traditional ‘assistive technology' was limited to only one computer.