GLASS offers over 425,000 accessible ebooks in its pursuit of total accessibility Benetech, provider of Bookshare, is proud to announce a new partnership with Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS), making over 425,000 accessible ebooks available for free to patrons who cannot read printed books due to blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and other print disabilities. GLASS is the statewide network of talking book centers that provides library services for the blind and others whose physical abilities require the use of books and magazines in digital audio formats or in braille. Beginning July 1, every Georgian with an eligible print…
2 CommentsCategory: bookshare
Published June 7, 2016
Start a Summer Reading Bonanza with Bookshare Bingo
Summer and a good book go together like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Frog and Toad, Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, Winnie the Pooh and, well, you get the idea. And in case you are wondering what to read this summer, we have one hundred and fifty-five suggestions of juicy books into which you can sink your teeth. Whether you are lounging at home, reclining in a hammock, cooling off at the pool, catching some rays at the beach, going on a road trip, flying in a plane, or visiting grandma, you can take your favorite Bookshare books with you.…
Leave a Comment
Published May 27, 2016
Bingo! Students Who Read Beat Summer Slide
Set students up for summer reading success with books from Bookshare. The dreaded summer slide. Research suggests that a summer break can cause an average student to lose up to one month of instruction, with disadvantaged students disproportionately affected (Cooper, 1996). Fortunately, access to books during summer helps students beat the summer slide, and Bookshare’s accessible online library is the perfect resource for kids who cannot read traditional print books due to disabilities like blindness, low vision, physical disabilities, and learning disabilities like dyslexia. Checklist for Teachers How can you make sure your students are set up with accessible ebooks…
Leave a Comment
Published May 4, 2016
Bookshare’s Collection Development Manager Started a Love Affair with Books at a Tender Age
Guest post by Carol James, Bookshare Collection Development Manager When I was a little girl, I would toddle into my parents’ bedroom many mornings. I’d pull books out of their case and pretend to read them. When I was done (so I’m told), I would carefully consider where they should go as I put them back on the shelf. I can’t remember what I was thinking – but even then, I knew each book had a “right place”! Looking back on a lifetime working in libraries, I guess I’m still doing the same thing – but on a different scale, with…
Leave a Comment
Published April 27, 2016
#SVGives: 10 for 10 Brings Bookshare to More Readers
UPDATE: Thank you to the generous donors who helped us reach our goal of $10K to bring Bookshare to more readers! Small gifts, big impact. Last year, in just one day, over $8 million dollars was raised for Bay Area nonprofits through Silicon Valley Gives, a community-wide day of giving hosted by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Benetech is one of hundreds of nonprofits in Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Benito, and San Francisco counties who are joining together to lift up and empower communities in need. Every contribution has an impact. No gift is too small. That’s why…
Leave a Comment
Published April 12, 2016
Benetech Receives Google Impact Challenge Award to Expand Bookshare’s Global Reach
Benetech is pleased to announce that it has been selected by Google.org as one of twenty-nine nonprofits to receive funding to increase access to opportunity and independence for hundreds of millions living with disabilities around the world. Launched in May of 2015, the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities put $20 million in Google.org grants behind nonprofits using emerging technologies to increase independence for people living with disabilities. This program aims to scale impact through technology and extends funding to “entrepreneurial nonprofits to bring innovative tech ideas to life and test their potential for scale.” “The Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities set out…
2 Comments
Published March 17, 2016
Benetech Showcases Leading Edge Literacy Initiatives at 31st Annual CSUN Conference
Assistive technology — whether it’s a mobile app or a modified wheelchair — can transform the lives of people with disabilities. The latest in the field of assistive technology will be the focus of the world’s largest gathering of people who develop or use assistive technology, taking place at the 31st Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference from March 21-26 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The “CSUN Conference,” as it is known in the industry, is organized by California State University, Northridge’s Center on Disabilities. It provides a unique opportunity for people with disabilities to have…
1 Comment
Published March 3, 2016
It Only Takes One Good Book to Get Hooked on Reading
At Bookshare, we have a saying that “it only takes one good book to get hooked on reading.” This month we are celebrating special reading events and award-winning literature for 2016 to help members find a treasure trove of good books: Happy birthday to one of our favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, on March 2 National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is a national initiative to spread the joy of reading to children and young adults The 2016 Youth Media Awards, presented by The American Library Association, recognize outstanding works of literature as well as authors and illustrators 2016 Youth Media…
Leave a Comment
Published January 30, 2016
Meet the Bookshare Accessible Books for Texas Team at TCEA
TCEA – February 1-5, 2016 – Austin, TX At its annual conference, the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) brings together campus- and district-level educators to explore the role of technology in achieving best practices in teaching and learning. This year’s conference will feature more than 900 industry expert and peer-led presentations on technology integration across all curricula areas for pre-K through higher education. Do you support students with print disabilities, such as learning or physical disabilities or visual impairments? Will you be attending TCEA? The Accessible Books for Texas (ABT) team will be on hand in Booth #1856 to demonstrate…
Leave a Comment
Published January 18, 2016
Bookshare Takes You to Hallowed Ground for Black History Month
African-American history can be viewed through many lenses. The people, events, time frame, and historic places have all contributed to the tapestry of our nation’s story. Today, as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let’s also reflect upon the theme for February’s Black History Month: Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories. From the “stations” on the Underground Railroad and the uprising at Harper’s Ferry, to the integration of Little Rock Central High School and the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, these places are deeply embedded in the narrative of African-American history. We invite you to…
1 Comment