You may find this short eligibility survey helpful: Does my student Qualify for Bookshare?
Bookshare is an accessible online eBook library designed specifically for people with print disabilities. It offers books in formats like audio, Braille, and customizable digital text, making reading accessible for everyone.
What is a print disability?
A print disability is any condition that makes it difficult or impossible to read standard printed text or text on a screen. This can include a wide range of impairment-based differences in how someone sees, moves, or processes written information.
It doesn’t mean the person can’t read or learn — it means the format doesn’t match their needs, so they use alternatives like audio, Braille, specialized devices, and more.
Which impairments qualify for Bookshare?
Bookshare operates under a specific amendment to copyright law, the Chaffee Amendment, and not under special education law (IDEA). Because of this, there may be differences in the conditions considered for qualifications than you are used to. As such, IEP or 504 plans are not required to access Bookshare.
Learning or Processing Impairment
- Dyslexia
- Other related reading or specific learning disabilities
- Cognitive processing differences that affect decoding or comprehension
- Cortical processing differences that affect visual interpretation
Vision Impairment
- Low vision or blindness
- Visual field loss (e.g., tunnel vision)
- Eye movement disorders (e.g., nystagmus)
- Conditions that cause visual fatigue or distortion
Physical Impairment
- Limited hand or arm mobility
- Difficulty holding books or turning pages
- Chronic pain that makes sustained reading difficult or impossible
- Fatigue-related conditions that make traditional reading unsustainable
Who can determine qualifications?
Bookshare eligibility is determined by a professional with appropriate expertise of the above defined impairments, who has either assessed or evaluated the individual, OR has reviewed assessments or evaluations that were conducted with the individual by others with appropriate expertise.
These professionals could include school personnel and other educational professionals, medical providers, mental health providers, librarians, social service workers etc. Please visit the Who can certify eligibility? page to view a list of common professional job titles.
Bookshare also accepts reciprocal membership agreements from the National Library Service (NLS), Learning Ally, or similar bodies outside the U.S., as verification of eligibility.