Invest in education choice and opportunity
The 2026 Budget Request will eliminate critical funding for special education services that serve students with disabilities in every US district. Specifically, the budget request will defund the Education Technology, Media, and Materials (Ed Tech) Program, which provides essential accessibility technology and services that enhance learning outcomes for millions of US students with special needs.
The Ed Tech Program ensures that students with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes timely access to learning materials through Bookshare, an accessible ebook library that provides free access to over 1.4 million textbooks and classroom learning materials in alternative formats like audio, large text, and braille. Without these resources, students with disabilities like dyslexia, blindness, and cerebral palsy would not be able to access learning materials in ways that work for them, pursue higher education, and build future careers.
The Ed Tech Program funding is not just education spending, it is a strategic investment in America’s future. It ensures that all students , including those with disabilities, can learn in school and contribute constructively to society. If the budget request goes through, students and schools will be impacted in the midst of fall back to school 2025, the busiest season of the school year. We must ensure that learning is not disrupted for millions of US students. We must vote to restore funding for the Ed Tech Program.
Why fund the Ed Tech Program?
Students who use Bookshare in general education benefit since they can keep up with their peers. They can use Bookshare during silent reading and throughout the day to access textbooks. My students have demonstrated better comprehension of text, which has led to increased participation in class discussion, as well as improved test scores.”
Take action
Legislators
Vote to keep current funding levels for the Ed Tech Program and support students in special education.
Voters
Appeal to your representatives by sharing your personal story of using Bookshare and how it has made a difference in your or your child’s life. Here are three ways to help:
Partners
Join us in advocating for the Ed Tech Program and essential resources like Bookshare.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ed Tech Program?
The Ed Tech Program is part of the “Technology Media and Materials” (TMM) line item from the Department of Education. This line item provides critical technology and learning resources to every US school to support students with disabilities and to ensure equal access to education as mandated by IDEA, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act.
What is happening with the Ed Tech Program?
The 2026 budget request eliminates funding for the Ed Tech Program, removing the federal government’s support in providing essential technology and learning resources for US schools and students with disabilities. Instead, provision of these supports would be transferred to the states in the form of block grants and will impact schools and families in October 2025.
Is Bookshare part of the Ed Tech Program?
Yes, Bookshare is funded by the Ed Tech Program.
About Bookshare
- Free, federally-funded learning solution for students with print disabilities
- Over 1.4 million titles, including textbooks, educational materials, children’s books, new releases, and more
- Accessible reading formats like audio, enlarge font, braille, and more
- Customizable reading settings designed for students with dyslexia, blindness, low vision, and physical disabilities
- Free reading apps for Chromebooks, computers, mobile devices, and smart speakers
Join Bookshare and enjoy millions of ebooks
Still have questions?
Our Mission
We believe that access to information is a universal human right. Yet more than ninety percent of books and published materials cannot be read by people with disabilities. Our work is focused on making reading accessible to everyone around the world.