October is a time to rally with our partners and advocates to raise awareness of dyslexia and learning disabilities. That’s why we’re sharing a valuable post on blended learning written by Virginia Educator and dyslexia teacher, Jennifer Cassese Appleton. This post was originally featured on the AIM-VA blog. Kudos to Ms. Appleton and to our partner, AIM-VA, for shining the spotlight on learning disabilities like dyslexia and sharing important information and resources. Special thanks also to the AIM-VA staff and editor, June Behrman. The Art of Blended Learning in Reading Classes Jennifer Cassese Appleton is a master at the art of blending multi-sensory learning…
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Bookshare Member and Accessible ebooks Shine at TCEA and SXSWedu
“Learn Anywhere” was the theme of this year’s Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Conference, held February 3–6 in Austin. TCEA is one of the largest regional EdTech (educational technology) events in the U.S., and Benetech’s Accessible Books for Texas (ABT) team was on hand to demonstrate tools that help Bookshare members read accessible ebooks anytime, anywhere. Hundreds of Texas educators, administrators, school librarians, and school IT professionals stopped by the Bookshare/ABT booth to learn how their students with print disabilities can succeed at reading with accessible ebooks from Bookshare. They also learned about the wide variety of reading tools to…
Leave a CommentStudent Transforms from Reluctant Reader to Top Accelerated Reader with Accessible Books!
This post was originally featured on the Accessible Books for Texas (ABT) website. It features Reagan Reeves, a bright student with dyslexia, who not only used Bookshare to stay on track with his reading goals, but far exceeded them to become a top Accelerated Reader. This Texas eighth grader proudly says to his mom with a big smile, “I’ve downloaded and read over 200 digital books!” His mom, Michelle, smiles too! Inside she is beaming because, finally, her son has embraced an educational resource that supports his reading challenges. Reagan listens to accessible ebooks read aloud on portable technology devices.…
Leave a CommentHow did an Occupational Therapist Help to Build Statewide Delivery of Accessible Instruction Materials?
In 2010, the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) developed True AIM, a statewide initiative to ensure that all students with qualified print disabilities receive timely access to accessible instructional materials (AIM). To deliver on this promise, the Iowa DOE partnered with Benetech, Bookshare’s parent nonprofit. Nancy Dunn, an occupational therapist and Bookshare Mentor Teacher, supported this initiative at the Iowa Heartland Area Education Agency. She and others on the assistive technology team trained educators about the benefits and delivery of accessible instructional materials. Their efforts helped to build capacity in more than ten Iowa districts. What did Nancy and the…
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