About Us
TypeWell is committed to accessibility, inclusion, and equity in education and beyond.
Read our full statement on Our Commitment to Accessibility & Inclusion.
Our Work and Our Approach
Founded in 1999, TypeWell has been a leader in real-time transcription for accessibility, providing inclusive communication access through human transcribers trained to deliver meaning-for-meaning speech-to-text services. We develop advanced software, offer professional training, and support institutions committed to equitable learning environments.
Our work is grounded in clarity, accuracy, and respect for the reader’s full access to meaning. We operate with a small core team and a broad professional community.
Leadership and Operations
Kate Ervin
Executive Director
Kate began transcribing with TypeWell in 2004 and quickly found purpose in the work—supporting access to learning through real-time communication. After gaining experience in cities across the U.S., she returned to her home region of southern Arizona. In 2011, she assumed leadership of TypeWell, guiding its development with a focus on accessibility, thoughtful innovation, and community impact.
Betty Barnes
Administrative Operations Coordinator
Betty joined TypeWell in 2015, bringing decades of experience in administrative support and medical transcription. She handles licensing, finance, and behind-the-scenes logistics with precision and care. A two-time cancer survivor, Betty brings a spirit of generosity and resilience to everything she does.
Our History
Founded by Judy Colwell and Steve Colwell (1999)
TypeWell was founded in 1999 by Judy Colwell and Steve Colwell. Judy developed the teaching philosophy and pedagogy that shaped TypeWell’s training approach and continues to influence our programs today. Her instructional voice remains part of the Basic Skills Course through the original training recordings. Steve designed the original software architecture that powers TypeWell’s real-time transcription tools.
Janet Fedorchuk
Training Program Administrator (2011–2025)
Janet worked with TypeWell for over 14 years as a transcriber, teacher, and training program administrator. She led the Basic Skills and Refresher Courses and played a key role in expanding TypeWell’s presence in Canada. Janet retired at the end of 2025, leaving a lasting imprint on TypeWell’s training standards and instructional approach.
Community & Collaborators
Over the years, TypeWell’s work has been shaped by many transcribers, course developers, and contributors who supported special projects, continuing education, professional conferences, and program development. We are grateful for the expertise and care they brought to this work.