BOOKSHARE.ORG HOW YOU CAN LEVEL THE FIELD AND ASSIST STUDENTS IN READING AND RESEARCH SUCCESS

WHY THE PERENNIALS? Bookshare is a program like perennials. First year, they sleep. Second year, they creep. Third year, they leap. And, it may take longer!

WHO IS BOOKSHARE? Bookshare is the world’s largest online accessible library of copyrighted content for people with print disabilities. Through its technology initiatives and partnerships, Bookshare seeks to raise the floor on accessibility issues so that individuals with print disabilities have the same ease of access to print materials as people without disabilities.

WHO BOOKSHARE SERVES People with Visual Impairments with text-to-speech synthesized voice, read books in Braille, or access the material in large print. Hard copy Braille books can also be ordered. Members with low vision can read books in an enlarged font using either a screen magnifier or by opening the book in a software program that supports increased font size, color, contrast, etc.Hard copy Braille books People with Physical Disabilities Members can read books on a computer or a variety of portable devices, either visually and with text-to-speech as desired. People with Learning Disabilities access the full text of books in digital format, for multi-modal reading with both visual and audio (through synthetic text to speech), including highlighting of text as it is read aloud, changing margin, word, paragraph and line spacing, and setting custom background and print colors.

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM TALKING BOOKS For most students there is no additional machinery. Portability and independent use with Individual Membership. Certification with a “competent authority.”

CERTIFYING INDIVIDUALS “Competent Authority”

GETTING YOUR DISTRICT AND TEACHERS ON BOARD: You will be setting this up. You will be the administrator. You can handle the paperwork. And, you can empower your teachers by setting them up as sponsors, able to download for their students.

JOINING BOOKSHARE

GETTING STARTED GETTING STARTED WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP

ORGANIZATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP

AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER, YOU AND YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT OR SCHOOL BUILDING MUST AGREE THAT: The Accessible Media will only be provided to individuals with bona fide disabilities The print disabilities of the students that are being certified as bona fide and meeting the legal definitions of receiving services and having significant disabilities that affect reading. You, as the manager, must educate your students that they cannot share this accessible media with other students or family members. There are consequences for copyright violation, including termination of the account. You, as primary contact, can add sponsors who can download content. You will keep the roster updated regularly. You will encourage and support Individual Memberships for students under 18. You will volunteer and there is more – primarily dealing with copyright, passwords, etc.

ADDING STUDENTS

MY ORGANIZATION

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

WITH AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP A student can take control of his reading habits, downloading and using the books he wants or needs to read. A student has access to the Bookshare Web Reader (recommended – Use Google Chrome with its text-to-speech and highlighting features). You can search for and create bookshelves that you then share with students who have individual memberships.

LIBRARIANS HAVE TO HAVE THIS….

AND, THIS

MOBILE PHONES AND TABLETS

USING BOOKSHARE ON THE IPAD: WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT WORKS You or a sponsor (or a student with an individual membership) can log in at the Read2Go app installed on the iPad and search and download books.

WITH THE READ2GO, EVERYTHING IS ALREADY THERE

YOU ARE ABLE TO FINE TUNE THE SETTINGS. THE MEMBERSHIP LIST IS AVAILABLE.

ONCE A BOOK IS DOWNLOADED TO A MEMBER, THEY SIMPLY CLICK AND READ.

NEWSPAPERS

NOW, THE FUN PART…SEARCHINGSEARCHING

TRAINING AND ADVANCING IN YOUR SKILLS

WHEN YOUR STUDENTS GRADUATE There are options: Individual membership $75.00 (one-time $25.00 set up, plus $50 annual fee) Organization membership may be offered at their community college / University.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR LISTENING! Training Videos - Bookshare - Accessible Books for Individuals with Print Disabilities

QUESTIONS? Libby Letterly, District Librarian Williamsville CUSD #15