visual impairments Archives - Page 13 of 14

Published September 17, 2010

What Does Bookshare’s Librarian Do?

This post was contributed by Amy McNeely, Bookshare’s librarian. While this post is longer than most, it’s quite interesting and worth taking a few minutes to read. After you’ve read the post be sure to leave Amy your thoughts, comments and questions! ****************** How to read a book like a (particular) (cataloging) librarian To begin with, there are three main types of librarians: the kind who find things, the kind who build things, and the kind who put things away. The kind that find things are called public services librarians, and these are the most widely known of all librarians. They include…

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Published September 15, 2010

Parents In The Know! Where Are the Accessible Textbooks?

“Good morning students, let’s begin by opening our textbooks to page 1…” Has your child been welcomed to a new school year with a greeting like this? Were they ready with an accessible version of their textbook they could read? For many students with print disabilities, traditional textbooks are not an option. Accessible versions, like digital books, now provide a promising alternative. Accessible textbooks allow students to listen to words being spoken, read words on the computer screen, look up word definitions and much more. Until recently, getting accessible textbooks has been difficult. Parents have alerted teachers of their children’s…

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Published September 13, 2010

Want to Make a Difference? Become a Bookshare Mentor and Make a Difference, One Teacher at a Time.

Teachers who are using Bookshare in the classroom tell us time and again that Bookshare makes it easier for their students to keep up with their peers, that their students are reading better, writing better, and are more actively participating in classroom discussions. Would you like to see every qualified student in your school and district benefit from Bookshare? Sign up to be a Bookshare Mentor today and you can help make that happen! Bookshare Mentors can significantly impact their schools just by teaching their fellow teachers how to use Bookshare with their qualified students. If you have a Bookshare…

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Published September 10, 2010

What We’re Reading {September 10 2010}

This week’s Bookshare recommendations come to us from our Young Adult members.

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Published August 28, 2010

What We’re Reading {August 27 2010}

The Bookshare team reads avidly. And we read a lot of books every week. And so do our children, friends and families. Among those, there are always a handful of standouts — the shortlist, the books with buzz–perfect for children, tweens, teens, college students, and young adults. “What We’re Reading” brings you picks of the most interesting recent reads, along with short descriptions; sometimes we’ll even include candid comments and notes from the team. We’ll be bringing you “What We’re Reading” every Friday, be sure to look for it and download some great books! Mockingjay (The Hunger Games Trilogy #3) by Suzanne Collins – Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has…

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Published August 26, 2010

Collaborative Philanthropy: Deepen Your Commitment to Bring Social Change to Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods and Rural Communities

By Marcy Guttman, Summer Associate for Corporate Philanthropy Wisdom can often come from unexpected places. I remember a message that I read when traveling in the New York City subways: “kindness is contagious, and it begins with you.” Huddled in the crowded masses of people, holding on to bars and handles touched by thousands of other travelers, I generally tried to avoid “catching” anything. However, reading those seven words made me realize that kindness is something that I not only wanted to “catch” but also desired to pass on to others. The gratification of doing something kind for another consistently…

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Published August 2, 2010

A Few Weeks Left This Summer to Read and Move

From legislation to lunchtime reading, the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs care about literacy in this country. Picture the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, holding a book, and Kareem Dale, the Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, reading If I Ran for President in braille to about 100 attentively listening young kids, ages 4-8, and their parents. Soon Congressman Jim Langevin from Rhode Island joined the group and read House Mouse, Senate Mouse. The event was the Department of Education’s “Let’s Read. Let’s Move” summer enrichment program on July 30 in…

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Published July 30, 2010

Is Braille Now Optional?

Is learning braille now optional? If so, why? Or is optional braille another example of the weakness in today’s educational system – decried by the Obama administration – that allows students to get by, not learn the tough subjects, and not graduate ready for college or a career? In letting today’s youth skip braille, are we handcuffing them for life? Most would agree that learning can occur auditorily and that for many, auditory learning is the preferred mode. Many software applications (including those available from Bookshare) and devices render printed content as spoken language for readers with visual impairments and…

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Published July 9, 2010

NFB 2010: Hot Weather or Human Warmth?

Texas treated NFB 2010 attendees to hot, humid, Texas-like weather, but the weather couldn’t hold a candle to the infectious human warmth inside the conference hall, in spite of the air conditioning. From this conference, I am redoubled in my conviction that coping with challenges in life makes people better people, and knowing people who live with challenges of any variety makes all of us better people. The NFB 2010 convention reminded me of this principle. Nowhere has there been a gathering that exuded goodness and warmth and caring than the group gathered at NFB. It wasn’t just the outpouring…

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Published July 1, 2010

Bookshare Members Headed to NFB and ACB?

At NFB and ACB, plan on more fun, surprises, and goodies this year than ever. Come by the Bookshare booth first to say hello. Then get in a party mood and be sure to add the Member party to your calendars. We have a new game planned that will get everyone thinking and laughing. Please do save room that evening to enjoy the delicious desserts! At NFB, the party is on July 6, from 7 to 8:30 pm in Lalique, in the Atrium Mezzanine. At ACB, the party is on July 12, from 7 to 8:30 pm in Camelback B.…

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Category: visual impairments