Benetech :: Literacy

Literacy: spreading reading and writing to everyone

Benetech's Literacy Program has already built the world’s leading reading machine for the blind, developed the nation’s largest digital library for the disabled, and in the process, grown into being a leading learning disability reading technology provider. We are continuing to expand our horizons with the delivery of literacy solutions that ensure people at every level of the global pyramid can read and have access to books.

Bookshare.org: "Bookshare.org feels utterly empowering, and having access to this growing library, open year-round, day and night, is extraordinary." Deborah Kent Stein

Bookshare.org is a subscription-based digital library that provides instant, independent access to books and newspapers — opening up a whole new world of reading for people with print disabilities. Learn more about Bookshare.org.

Route 66 Literacy: "Education is the path to a better life. This web-based literacy program enables people with severe speech and physical impairments to learn to read and write." Dr. Karen Erickson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Route 66 Literacy is a web-based learning environment featuring age-appropriate, beginning level reading and writing activities for adolescents with severe speech and physical impairments. Learn more about Route 66 Literacy.

Raising the Floor. Benetech wants to ensure that every person has access to technology and content that enables full participation in education, employment and society. For example, access technology is beyond the financial reach of almost all people with disabilities around the globe, even in rich countries like the United States. We want to make it possible for every person who can get their hands on a cheap cell phone to get access to the books, information and news they need for daily living, whether they are disabled, illiterate or poor. With this approach, we will see that everyone has access to the basics. It’s well within the grasp of the technology community to make this happen.

Benetech is promoting literacy to underserved groups:

44 million people (21% - 23%) of the American adult population lack basic literacy skills*
5 million school-age children in the U.S. have learning disabilities†
800,000+ students in the U.S. have moderate to severe disabilities†
10 million Americans are blind or visually impaired
95% of print publications are unavailable to print-disabled children and adults

SOURCES:
* National Adult Literacy Survey
† US Department of Education

Donate to specific Benetech literacy initiatives
Volunteer to help in a variety of ways
Partner with Benetech to leverage your resources

Download our brochure (PDF) to find out more.