Widgit Software is a UK-based software company specialising in symbol-supported communication, education and accessible information. The company develops software and resources that use visual symbols alongside text to help people communicate, understand information and develop literacy skills. Its products are used by schools, healthcare organisations, families, public services and other organisations in the UK and internationally.
What does Widgit Software do?
Widgit Software develops symbol-based software, resources and communication tools designed to make written information easier to understand. Its products combine text with a large library of visual symbols, helping people who have difficulty with reading, language or communication to access information more independently.
The company’s main products include Widgit Online, InPrint 4, SymWriter, Widgit Go and Widgit Health. Widgit Online allows users to create symbol-supported resources through a web browser, while InPrint provides more advanced tools for producing personalised materials such as worksheets, books, flashcards, communication boards and visual schedules.
Widgit’s symbol library now contains more than 100,000 symbols representing over 55,000 English words. The symbols are designed as part of a structured visual language rather than as a collection of generic clip art, helping users develop vocabulary and understand written information. The symbol set supports more than 15 languages and is used internationally.
The company also provides accessible information services, symbol licensing and signage solutions. Its specialist team can create symbolised documents and other materials for organisations, develop bespoke symbols and provide symbols for use in products, websites, apps and public signage.
Widgit’s solutions are used in settings including education, healthcare, social care, justice, tourism, leisure and the arts. Its products can support activities such as creating social stories, differentiated texts, communication boards, visual schedules, signage and accessible documents.
Who are Widgit Software’s typical customers?
Widgit’s customers include teachers, schools, speech and language therapists, healthcare professionals, parents, carers, support organisations and other professionals who work with people who benefit from symbol-supported communication. The company says its products are used in more than 10,000 schools, as well as in thousands of homes and healthcare settings.
Typical customers include:
- Mainstream and specialist schools
- Teachers and teaching assistants
- Speech and language therapists
- Healthcare and social care organisations
- Parents and carers
- People with communication or learning difficulties
- Local authorities and public services
- Charities and community organisations
- Tourism, leisure and arts organisations
- Businesses and organisations requiring accessible information or signage
Widgit’s products can support people with a wide range of communication and literacy needs, including autistic people, people with learning disabilities, people with speech impairments and people who have difficulty accessing conventional written information. They can also be useful for people learning English as an additional language.
The company also works with organisations that want to make their own services and products more accessible. For example, Widgit provides symbol licensing for software companies, online services, apps, websites, architects and building contractors that want to incorporate symbols into their products or signage.
What locations does Widgit Software serve?
Widgit Software is based in Warwick, Warwickshire, but its products and services have an international reach. The company’s symbols are used around the world and support multiple languages. Widgit also works with international partners and customers in educational, healthcare and other settings.
Within the UK, Widgit’s products are used across schools, homes, healthcare services, local authorities and other public and community settings. The company also has Widgit Centres and resources supporting users in different areas, while its online products allow customers to access symbol resources regardless of their location.
International customers can purchase Widgit’s English-language products directly, while the company also works with international resellers and partners to provide products and symbol resources for customers outside the UK.
Company history
Widgit has a history stretching back more than 40 years. The company states that it was founded in 1981 and incorporated in 1984, making it one of the UK’s longest-established companies specialising in software for special educational needs (SEN).
The development of Widgit’s symbol language has its roots in the Rebus Symbol Collection. The original collection was developed in the UK by Judy van Oosterom and Kathleen Devereux, building on Rebus symbols originally developed in the United States. Widgit subsequently worked with Judy van Oosterom and practitioners to develop the symbols for use with software and communication materials.
During the 1990s, Widgit continued expanding its symbol resources and software. The company worked with practitioners and organisations to develop symbols for different areas of communication and learning. By October 2000, the symbol collection had grown to around 6,000 symbols.
A major development came with the Widgit Symbol Development Project, which began in 2000 to review and improve the growing symbol collection. The resulting Widgit Symbol Set was launched in October 2002, providing a more consistent and structured symbol language.
Widgit subsequently developed software that allowed users to create their own symbol-supported materials. Its products have evolved from early desktop software into online and mobile solutions, including Widgit Online, which enables users to create, print, share and translate symbol-supported resources through a web browser.
Today, Widgit continues to develop its software and symbol language while expanding into areas such as accessible information, healthcare, public services, signage and digital communication. The company remains focused on its mission of using symbols to support communication, understanding and inclusion.
Widgit Software contact details
Main office and contact details
Widgit Software
1st Floor, Bishops House
Artemis Drive
Tachbrook Park
Warwick
CV34 6UD
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 1926 333680
Website: Widgit Software