Fraser Shein
Toronto, Canada
Fraser Shein
Toronto, Canada
Dr. Fraser Shein is a scientist and engineer who founded Quillsoft Ltd. in 2000 in partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Canada’s leading children’s rehabilitation hospital that is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Dr. Shein is an internationally recognized expert in computer accessibility for individuals with disabilities having worked as a researcher at Holland Bloorview from 1979 through 2010. He created and sold several special needs software used around the world including, WiViK®, the first accessible on-screen keyboard for MS Windows in 1991. Dr. Shein founded Quillsoft with a mission of commercializing software developed by his research team and distributing it worldwide in the broad education field. In 2009, Dr. Shein was awarded a “Circle of Honor” award for his achievements in the field of Education (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcXa76jycCU). In December 2010, Dr. Shein left Holland Bloorview and he and his R&D team relocated to its current office. In 2022, Quillsoft established a partnership with the Nisai Group (Nisai.com), a global education company. Quillsoft shares its mandate with Nisai in that we believe that the best way to prepare one and all for the future is to improve the way we think, learn, understand and express our thoughts and ideas. Education and literacy are critical steps to enabling anyone to achieve their potential. Quillsoft comes from a wealth of experience in rehabilitation, assistive technology, and inclusive design, yet our philosophy diverges from common perceptions of accommodation and solving problems of disabilities. We believe in supporting diversity of abilities where disability is not a problem (as viewed from an outsider’s perspective) to be fixed. We also maintain a steadfast approach of not dwelling on glitzy technology, but on enabling user experiences that are simple, easy to use, and allow the user to take advantage of his/her own strengths to achieve their best.