digital accessible books Archives - Page 3 of 5

Published July 10, 2015

Bookshare a Notable Advantage for People With Visual Impairments, says The New York Times

This post originally appeared in Benetech’s Blog on July 6, 2015 For people who cannot use standard print, the increasing availability of digital books and services such as Benetech’s Bookshare library are a boon that is unlocking the world of reading, says The New York Times. In a story titled “An App to Aid the Visually Impaired,” author Jonah Bromwich highlights Bookshare as a “notable advantage” of an app called Spotlight Text. This reading tool, explains Bromwich in App City, The New York Times’ biweekly column about influential mobile apps, is outfitted with adjustable scrolling text, adjustable font, sharp contrast,…

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Published June 26, 2015

Cooking Up Some Good Reads in the Summer Reading Challenge

The Bookshare Summer Reading Challenge is off and running! You are welcome to join the fun any time. Just find a book (or three), read, and share your favorites with the Bookshare community. Here is some of the buzz on Twitter using the challenge hashtag, #TurnUp4Books: From @MSPruske in Los Angeles: How to choose btwn 2 Jacks (Kerouac/London) for Wk 1 of @Bookshare Summer Reading Challenge (Travel & Outdoors)?? Pick both. #TurnUp4Books From @silly_singer in Pelham, NH: With a little motivation from @Bookshare I have finally gotten around to reading “My Path Leads to Tibet” From @NightingaleOG: Since returning home…

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Published June 20, 2015

Celebrating Fathers in Life and Literature

Did you know that Father’s Day started in 1910 in Spokane, Washington, but didn’t become an official holiday until 1972? Whatever the reason, let’s give Dad his due, whether we are talking about biological dads, stepdads, granddads, foster dads, honorary dads, or any special dad in your life. Fabulous fathers can be found throughout literature including Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird; Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter series; Hans Hubermann in The Book Thief; Jean Valjean in Les Miserables; Charles Ingalls in the Little House series; Otto Frank in Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl; and Bob…

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Published June 16, 2015

Bookshare Summer Reading Challenge Starts June 22 – Are You Ready?

Summer is knocking on the door, and excitement is building for the Bookshare Summer Reading Challenge starting next Monday, June 22. Are you ready to turn it up and tell the world? It’s fun and easy to participate – just search for books, read them, and share your favorites with the Bookshare community. You’ll help members like you discover new books and get lots of praise and kudos from other readers. If you don’t already have a list of books to brighten your summer, check out the staff picks. Each week of the challenge features a theme and suggested titles…

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Published June 5, 2015

Congratulations to Bookshare’s Graduating Members

You’ve graduated. You are now ready to take the next step in life, and Bookshare can continue to be just as useful after school. Just ask Amber. Keeping her Bookshare membership after she graduates from the University of Texas at San Antonio will allow her to continue accessing a collection that has over 345,000 titles and counting. It grows literally every day with new titles, including conspiracy stories and books on the paranormal that Amber loves. Bookshare will also help her pursue her career as a teacher. Whether you want to grab a book that will help you in your…

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Published June 1, 2015

Send Students into Summer with Bookshare Web Reader

By Bookshare Training and Support team Summer is right around the corner! Before the final bell rings, empower your students to read independently with Bookshare Web Reader and encourage them to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge that starts on June 22. As we recently announced, Bookshare Web Reader is now available to students with organizational memberships. Giving access to students is easy – just follow these four steps: Add Members to your roster. Set a username and password for your member(s). Create a reading list and share it with the member(s). Add a book to the reading list. Now…

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Published May 21, 2015

Wiley Partners with Benetech to Make Content More Accessible to All Readers

Note: This blog is reposted from Benetech’s Blog. By Robin Seaman, Director, Content Acquisition Today, May 21, in recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we are happy to share that the global publishing company John Wiley & Sons has announced that, starting this month, it will begin including alternative text (alt text) in nearly all of its frontlist books. By incorporating alt text into its workflow, Wiley makes its content accessible to users of all abilities. The company developed its alt text guidelines in consultation with Benetech’s DIAGRAM Center and other industry standards organizations. Wiley is one of the first…

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Published May 18, 2015

Special Education Teacher Champions Year-Round Reading Programs

Melissa Hawkins, a middle school special education teacher in Baltimore, believes that reading year-round is a critical component of student’s academic success. As the chairperson of the Reading Committee at her school, she is the driving force behind several innovative reading initiatives that use a multi-pronged approach to engage and motivate students all year long. For example, STRIVE for 25! rewards students when they read 7, 14, 21, and 25 books by the end of the school year with a variety of prizes including snack coupons, certificates of completion, and a chance to win a Kindle. However, this is just…

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Published January 12, 2015

Please Share this Amazing Video, Possibilities Abound with Bookshare!

Did you know that in the U.S. an estimated 2% of all students have a print disability? And that by third and fourth grade*, students who are behind in reading, have a greater chance of falling behind in all their subjects? You can help to reverse this trend by sharing this awesome video, Possibilities Abound with Bookshare, created by students at Cogswell Polytechnical College. Imagine the realm of possibilities for more individuals with qualifying print disabilities in school and beyond. Watch the animated video now to learn: What is a print disability. How it affects a person’s ability and desire…

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Published January 19, 2011

Agreement with Leading Independent Book Publisher Brings Eclectic Collection to Bookshare Members

One of the leading independent book publishers in North America, and the largest woman-owned trade book publisher in North America, Sourcebooks, has signed an agreement with Bookshare to provide an extensive selection of titles across its imprints. This partnership means that our Bookshare members will receive access to an eclectic and exciting breadth of Sourcebooks titles. When asked about this partnership, Betsy Beaumon, the Vice President and General Manager of the Literacy Program at Benetech had this to say: “Our agreement with Sourcebooks is especially important because, in addition to their wide-ranging list of general interest titles, they publish several…

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Tag: digital accessible books