Community reviews for Bookshare

I think Bookshare is a great tool that helps those with qualifying abilities. During my initial research, I thought that it wasn't optimal that it was not automatically offered to those with intellectual disabilities. But there is other software that exists that can help students with intellectual disabilities, so there are alternatives.

My only issue is that unfortunately, you cannot access graphic novels easily. Otherwise, love sharing this with my students.

I don't care for the robot voice either, and the textbooks we use were not on the list.

I love it! Please keep this available for students to use! It is a valuable resource!

It is an essential service for students with print disablilities. Once the student is qualifies and an account is set up the student can search tens of thousands of books and download their chosen book in a matter of a minute!

I use Bookshare with students on an IEP or a 504 plan who have print disabilities. Using the Bookshare online reader is frustrating for the kids (robotic voice, visually not very appealing), but Bookshare lists tools on its website (How to read books on Bookshare) that make the reading experience much better! I use Read and Write on Laptops (Chrome or Windows), built-in "Read Aloud", Dolphin Easy Reader or Voice Dream Reader on iOS. There are very few books used in schools that you won't be able to find on Bookshare. It is a tool that will help your students get access to age-appropriate books, allowing them to read independently when used with a good text-to-speech tool. I introduce Bookshare with high-interest books, letting the student pick the reading voice and speed. I check for reading comprehension the same way I would with students reading books visually. Never too early to start when we know that reading visually will be difficult for a student! Let them keep their love for books and practice attention, comprehension while building vocabulary!

This is not a good resource for our significantly impaired population of students at all.

I only wish all publishers would use bookshare

Bookshare is an invaluable tool that provides countless marginalized students with accessible reading materials. Without amazing and free resources like Bookshare, these students may not have the opportunities to read and learn that they deserve. Having worked with Bookshare's customer support team, I am amazed at how many students, teachers, and adults with disabilities they reach and support on a regular basis - and with a very small team of dedicated people. Everyone I've met is dedicated to the mission of Bookshare, and without ulterior motives - their focus is on the product and in providing it to all in need, not on profit or image. The website and the ease of accessing books could use a makeover, but with a little training and practice, it's really not that difficult to manage. I can't recommend this resource enough.

Again, I wish this review wasn’t such a downer. Bookshare has a lot of great features. When I do use it with students who use a braille note taker, they often find success. The over all experience needs updating and attention. I am thankful that it exists for my blind and low vision students but that does not mean developers can rest and avoid keeping things up to date. The EasyReader app is easier than the website but all of my students use Chromebooks and the website has not kept up with website design. Other well-established educational and organizational websites have changed with the times. Offering a side menu with all of the options laid out in a user-friendly way. The current set up is dated, clunky, and visually hard to navigate for users with limited reading skills. I typically turn to the Library of Congress books on tape app, BARD mobile, if I can’t find a book that works with Bookshare. So much time spent from me and the students trying to make Bookshare work.