Read your way
Accessible talking ebooks
Do you like stories, but traditional books don’t work for you? Bookshare talking ebooks are designed for people who learn differently. People with vision loss can listen to books in audio, magnify text, or read in braille. Learners with dyslexia can listen and follow the text with karaoke-style highlighting. People with physical impairments can navigate and read books on assistive technology devices. However you prefer to read, Bookshare talking ebooks can be customized to you.
Why Bookshare
Books for every age and interest
Assistive reading features
- Designed for people with blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and physical disabilities
- Listen to books in high-quality audio
- Increase text size for improved visibility
- Adjust background colors and contrast
- Control reading speeds
- Change narrators to suit your listening preference
- Follow along with highlighted text
- Read in braille
- Read on computers, smartphones, tablets, braille displays, and AT devices
The Bookshare difference
Bookshare has more books in accessible, easy-to-read formats than other ebook or audiobook providers.
| Bookshare | Audible |
|---|---|
| Over 1.4 million titles | Over 550,000 titles |
| For people with print disabilities | For general public |
| Book formats: audio, large text, braille | Audio, some books have text |
| Assisted reading: see and hear text as it is read aloud, word- and sentence-level highlighting, adjust audio, text, colors, and more | Assisted reading: some books have Whispersync |
| Reading limit: none | Reading limit: unlimited for Audible Plus; one title per month from extended selection with premium plan. |
| Read on: smartphones, tablets, computers, assistive technology devices, Alexa-enabled smart speaker | Read on: Kindle, smartphones, tablets, computers, Alexa-enabled smart speaker |
| $79.99 annualy, or less than $7 per month. Free for qualified US students. | $7.95 monthly for Audio Plus, $14.95 monthly for Audio Premium Plus |
What does it cost?
Bookshare for adults
$79.99 annual membership. That’s less than $7 per month to read as many books as you want. No wait times, due dates, or book limits like other audiobook subscriptions or libraries.
Bookshare for students
Free for qualified US students. Students with qualifying disabilities can join for free through an award from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), US Department of Education.
Frequently asked questions
Who can join Bookshare (who qualifies)?
Bookshare is for people who find it difficult to read traditional print books due to a disability like dyslexia, low vision, blindness, or physical disability. Learn about qualifications.
How do I sign myself up for Bookshare?
To join Bookshare, follow these steps:
- Sign up online as an “Adult Individual in the United States”
- Submit proof of disability
- Activate membership by submitting payment
For detailed steps, visit our signup FAQ.
How do I sign up my parent or loved one?
Children or caregivers can help a parent or loved one join Bookshare by helping them to complete the following steps:
- Sign up online as an “Adult Individual in the United States” and make them aware of the membership agreement
- Help them submit proof of disability
- Activate membership by submitting payment
For detailed steps, visit our signup FAQ.
How do I submit proof of disability (POD)?
- Download and fill in our Proof of Disability form
- Have a qualified professional sign your form
- Email the completed form to POD@bookshare.org
If you are a member of Learning Ally or NLS, you can submit your member information as a form of proof of disability. Learn more about this option and other questions on our proof of disability FAQ.
“On Father’s Day, I gave him a one-year membership to Bookshare… Over the course of the next several months, dad continually told me how thankful he was for Bookshare. He found all eight of the Outlander series books and is reading them again while we wait for the ninth one. He was so happy…” Caregiver
Join Bookshare and enjoy millions of ebooks
Still have questions?
Our Mission
Bookshare empowers people who cannot read traditional books to pursue education, employment, and social participation by making reading and learning materials accessible.