Monday, October 1, 2007

Bookshare.org goes free of charge!

According to their website, Bookshare.org, which is a repository and supplier of digital texts for individuals with print disabilities will no longer be charging schools for access to its repository. A Department of Education grant in the ballpark of 32 million dollars over a 5 year period allows for this to occur. This funding will support all students in K-12 schools that qualify as having a print disability.

This has tremendous implications for students in K-12. Bookshare.org has traditionally taken a liberal stance on print disability eligibility. Some other alternate text organizations have viewed the requirement for a 'qualified individual' that can determine whether or not a person has a print disability as being a member of the medical profession. As stated on their website, Bookshare.org accepts different proof of a print disability from different professionals, based on the nature of the disability.


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