If you or your child/student has a learning disability/reading disability and could benefit from books read aloud, there is a great resource www.Bookshare.org on the web where you can download all kinds of books,
including school textbooks, FOR FREE! The digitized text is compatible with many text-to-speech software programs. Bookshare.org gives print disabled people in the United States legal access to over 34,500 books and 150 periodicals that are converted to Braille,
large print or text to speech audio files.
They just got a HUGE grant (32 million dollars) to fully support all schools and students 26 years old and under with qualifying print disabilities in the United States, K-12 and post-secondary.
Those with dyslexia, vision difficulties, reading problems, etc...could really benefit from this resource.
Here is the link:
http://www.bookshar e.org/web/ Welcome.html
You can try out Bookshare.org before signing up as a member. Start by browsing the collection - search for books by Title, Author, or Category. Or go right to the New Books page to check out the newest additions to the Bookshare.org collection. These search functions can be accessed from the tool bar area on every page.
During your search, you can download any book that is in the public domain. You can recognize a public domain book because it is available for download in HTML and TEXT formats in addition to DAISY and BRF. For example, search by author for Dickens to find a whole list of public domain books. Try downloading the different specialized formats (DAISY and digital Braille).
Or, visit the sample download page for a quick preview.
3) Bookshare.org Membership options
Bookshare.org offers both individual subscriptions and accounts for schools or groups. Please select a link below to find out more.
· Individual Subscriptions
U.S. residents who have a visual impairment, learning disability or mobility impairment can subscribe.
· School and Group Accounts
Schools or groups that serve individuals with print disabilities can provide books through Institutional Access or Sponsored Subscriptions.
· Access for non-U.S residents
Individuals with qualifying disabilities who live outside the United States can access portions of the Bookshare.org collection.
Individual Subscriptions
Individual Subscriptions enable "all-you-can-read"* access to books in easy-to-use digital formats for a full year. Subscriptions cost 50 dollars plus a 25 dollar sign-up fee the first year. Students of U.S. schools can ask their school for a free membership through the new federal funding for student access to Bookshare.org.
Books and periodicals from Bookshare.org contain the full text of the publication (not pre-recorded audio) that can be read with the adaptive technology of the reader's choice. A talking software application is included with membership, providing members with one option for reading the books. The publications are also available in contracted digital Braille.
Starting an Individual Subscription
Starting a Bookshare.org subscription takes three simple steps:
1. Register
2. Provide proof of disability
3. Submit Payment
$25 sign up fee, $50 for the annual subscription.
For more information about using the Bookshare.org website, including recommended system requirements, visit the Getting Started Page
If you would like to try out Bookshare.org before joining, use the search functions to see what books and periodicals are available. You may also download any public domain books. Or, for a quick overview visit the sample download page.
Subscription Benefits
A library of accessible reading
Access to the full collection of copyrighted books and periodicals is only available to current Bookshare.org subscribers. By subscribing, you will be able to read books, newspapers and magazines that are not available from other accessible material providers. A new library will open up to you.
Unlimited Reading
Once you become a Bookshare.org subscriber, you can read to your heart's content. Whether you read primarily for pleasure, for school, or for reference, you will have access to as many books as you can read from the Bookshare.org collection.
A full year of books
Your subscription to Bookshare.org is for an entire year. There are no per-download charges or other costs. Once you pay, you don't need to think about it for another 12 months. And we'll send you a reminder email when it's time to think about renewing.
