Speaker Bio
Martin founded Texthelp in 1996 to help people with communication difficulties. What started as a company focused on people with profound Speech and Dexterity Disabilities has become a world leading Assistive Technology company creating smart, inclusive software that helps people read, write, express their thoughts and share information more accurately & fluently – across all stages of life. His goal is to make sure that by 2030 Texthelp will have advanced the literacy and understanding of one billion people.
Today Texthelp employs 370 people in Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Australia. The business is backed by Five Arrows, the private equity arm of the Rothschilds investment group.
Martin has spent his work life developing technology for people with disabilities. In the past, he has served on the Assistive Technology Industry Association Board as well as the NIMAS board for the USA Office of Special Education Programs. In 2017, he received the Presidential Award in recognition of lifetime contribution to dyslexia and literacy from the International Dyslexia Association.
He is currently serving in an advisory capacity on the Universal Design for Learning council, and the Brookings Centre for Universal Education.