C-pen: assistive device

A C-Pen is an assistive reading tool that reads text aloud. Held like a pen, learners pass it over an unfamiliar word or line of text, and the text is read aloud.

This is free for all BCITO apprentices - it’s funded by the BCITO Learning Success team.

Who it’s for

These are game-changers for BCITO apprentices with a reading difficulty, or who prefer to hear information read aloud. This may be due to dyslexia, being an English language learner, or having a different schooling background.

C-Pens can translate to four languages: English, French, Spanish and Italian.

Any active BCITO apprentice is eligible for this device, just fill out the support request below.

What they’ll get

Learners can receive a C-Pen device to use for studying textbooks, reading plans and instructions when working on-site, or for personal use at home. Once their apprenticeship is finished, the C-Pen will be returned to BCITO. (Learners won’t get to keep it.)

“One of our guys said it was like witchcraft. It helped him not just in his qualification; his partner found him in the pantry reading all the ingredients he hadn’t read before.”