Skip to content

Category: Bookshare Success Stories

Daniel’s Story: Vision Challenges Can’t Stop Joy of ReadingDan Coney sitting in a chair and reading on his iPad
Published September 26, 2018

Daniel’s Story: Vision Challenges Can’t Stop Joy of Reading

By Daniel Coney, guest author I have an inherited eye condition called pathological myopia. Unlike “normal” myopia, which tends to stabilize, my form continues worsening. This condition causes structural problems in the eye that often lead to vision loss later in life. While I have no memory of ever having good vision, I had little in the way of serious vision problems until about five years ago. Then, a series of retinal detachments left me blind in one eye. I am gradually losing vision in my remaining eye, though I am not yet legally blind. I cannot read print or use…

Continue readingDaniel’s Story: Vision Challenges Can’t Stop Joy of Reading

Leave a Comment
Catching up with Jessica Pinto: Bookshare Superstar and Disability Rights AdvocateJessica Pinto is sitting in a wheelchair and using a Macbook
Published September 12, 2018

Catching up with Jessica Pinto: Bookshare Superstar and Disability Rights Advocate

That was then… When we first met Jessica Pinto in 2008, she was in eighth grade at Kennedy Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this video, Jessica explains how cerebral palsy made it extremely difficult for her to hold standard printed books and how Bookshare was a game changer for her because it let her read digital books independently. This is now… Fast forward ten years when I recently had the pleasure of learning about Jessica’s journey since 2008. How long have you been a Bookshare member? When I was in eighth grade, Megan Shanley, AT specialist for Albuquerque…

Continue readingCatching up with Jessica Pinto: Bookshare Superstar and Disability Rights Advocate

2 Comments
Veteran Educator Gives Students the Tools to Succeed at Reading and Lifea young girl wearing glasses is using an iPad
Published August 21, 2018

Veteran Educator Gives Students the Tools to Succeed at Reading and Life

Kristine Dooley knows a thing or two about the benefits of accessible ebooks. An occupational therapist since 1980 and assistive technology (AT) consultant since 2009, she has advice galore for other educators who serve students with reading barriers. And she’s even more excited about the successes – small and large – that her students experience. She is a strong believer in giving students the right tools and support so they can get immediate results. I recently sat down with Kristine and asked her to share her advice. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Describe the students that…

Continue readingVeteran Educator Gives Students the Tools to Succeed at Reading and Life

2 Comments
Dyslexia Doesn’t Slow Ryan DownRyan listening to a book in his room
Published August 14, 2018

Dyslexia Doesn’t Slow Ryan Down

Ryan is starting eighth grade at Swift Creek Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida. In first grade, he was diagnosed with dyslexia. Two years ago he became a Bookshare member and has read close to fifty books since then. In a recent interview, Ryan and his mother, Tippi, share their advice for students with reading barriers and the parents who support them.

Continue readingDyslexia Doesn’t Slow Ryan Down

4 Comments
Bookshare Salutes Graduates and Encourages Lifelong LearningSylvia Stinson-Perez, CEO, Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind
Published June 7, 2018

Bookshare Salutes Graduates and Encourages Lifelong Learning

Congratulations to all graduates! Whether you are graduating from kindergarten, college, or somewhere in between, we commend your accomplishments and hope you take Bookshare with you on the next phase of your journey because the learning never stops. Bookshare is free for all U.S. students with qualified reading barriers. But, did you know that includes individuals enrolled in vocational training, continuing education, computer classes, or professional development courses? Learn more about the types of programs that qualify. Adults can use Bookshare to achieve career goals, change jobs, or build new skills. Bookshare Member Earns MBA to Advance Career Sylvia Stinson-Perez used…

Continue readingBookshare Salutes Graduates and Encourages Lifelong Learning

Leave a Comment
The Secret to Getting Reluctant Readers Hooked on Booksa boy is reading and listening to a book on a tablet while sitting in the library
Published April 18, 2018

The Secret to Getting Reluctant Readers Hooked on Books

In Part I, “The Crazy Reading Ladies” explained how they turned Horace Mann Middle School into the school that reads, and in Part 2, they discussed how assistive technology enhances the reading experience and delivers social and academic benefits. In Part 3, “The Crazy Reading Ladies” share tips to get kids reading, favorite books and authors, and more student success stories.  Teachers are incredibly resourceful and creative when it comes to helping students thrive in school. Erin and Mary, affectionately known as “The Crazy Reading Ladies” by their students, have honed their tried-and-true techniques for converting reluctant readers to bookworms. Top…

Continue readingThe Secret to Getting Reluctant Readers Hooked on Books

Leave a Comment
Ebooks and Assistive Technology Are Gateways to ReadingAll In Reading tweet: In recent days I've been sitting back watching my 6th graders log on to CaptiVoice and Bookshare independently. They are reading at home and in school. They are talking about books. And they can do it on their own. I can't believe we got here.
Published April 11, 2018

Ebooks and Assistive Technology Are Gateways to Reading

In Part 1, “The Crazy Reading Ladies,” Erin O’Leary and Mary Cotillo, explain how they turned Horace Mann Middle School into the school that reads. In Part 2, “The Crazy Reading Ladies” discuss how assistive technology (AT) enhances the reading experience and delivers social and academic benefits. This blog is part two of a three-part series. Which reading tools and devices do your students prefer? Erin: We are incredibly fortunate that our school has implemented a 1:1 Chromebook program. This has allowed our kids to remain logged in to their Bookshare and Capti accounts throughout the day without having to…

Continue readingEbooks and Assistive Technology Are Gateways to Reading

5 Comments
When It Comes to Reading, This School is All InErin O'Leary & Mary Cotillo
Published April 4, 2018

When It Comes to Reading, This School is All In

Part 1: How “The Crazy Reading Ladies” turned Horace Mann Middle School into the school that reads. This blog is part one of a three-part series. The expectations of middle school are daunting enough without the added challenges for students with learning disabilities. Students who have difficulty with reading find themselves at a disadvantage that has repercussions academically and socially. Fortunately, Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, Massachusetts, has Erin O’Leary and Mary Cotillo, affectionately known by their students as “The Crazy Reading Ladies.” Erin is a reading specialist who provides intensive reading instruction in both pull-out and inclusion classes.…

Continue readingWhen It Comes to Reading, This School is All In

12 Comments
Heard it Through the TweetvineTwitter bird
Published February 23, 2018

Heard it Through the Tweetvine

Teachers and parents share how Bookshare helps remove reading barriers for students We love our members – and the teachers, parents, and other caring individuals who support our members. We celebrate every success of every student who overcomes reading barriers with the help of Bookshare and assistive technology. And, since good news is meant to be shared, here are some recent tweets that celebrate reading success. Tweets from Teachers From @allinreading: In recent days I’ve been sitting back watching my 6th graders log on to @CaptiVoice and @Bookshare independently. They are reading at home and in school. They are talking…

Continue readingHeard it Through the Tweetvine

Leave a Comment
Bookshare Hits Big Milestones in 20178 people in a line hold hands stretched overhead
Published December 18, 2017

Bookshare Hits Big Milestones in 2017

As 2017 draws to a close, it’s time to look back and celebrate key milestones and accomplishments. But first, a message from a parent: “My son loved Huckleberry Finn! It was a joy to watch him laugh as he listened and read. Amazing. He has an A in English with the support of Bookshare.” Collection Passes Half a Million Mark Our goal is to make all books and print materials accessible. There was a time when people with disabilities could not find books in audio, braille, or other specialized formats they needed. Today, members have over 585,000 ebooks at the…

Continue readingBookshare Hits Big Milestones in 2017

Leave a Comment