As we mark 25 years of transforming lives through technology, I am honored to reflect on this journey and our profound impact together. Benetech was founded on a bold vision: to harness the power of technology for social good. Over the past two and a half decades, we have stayed true to that mission \u2014 breaking down barriers to education and providing opportunity for millions worldwide.<\/p>\n
25 Years of Impact
\n<\/strong>Since our inception, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to accessibility, ensuring that learning is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Today, I am proud to share some key milestones that define our collective achievements:<\/p>\n\n- Global Impact: Through our Bookshare initiative, we have provided accessible reading materials to over 2 million people with disabilities across more than 50 countries.<\/li>\n
- Education Empowerment: Our digital accessibility tools have supported thousands of schools and organizations in all 50 states by making learning materials available to all students, regardless of ability.<\/li>\n
- Technology Innovation: From AI-driven accessibility solutions to groundbreaking tools for educators, we are pioneering innovations that ensure access to knowledge, from literary to math and the sciences.<\/li>\n
- Industry Recognition: Benetech was named to Forbes\u2019 Accessibility 100, honoring our leadership in advancing systemic change and developing innovative technologies that break down learning barriers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Every statistic represents lives changed, opportunities unlocked, and futures transformed \u2014 a testament to our unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality education for all. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated team, partners, and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we have championed a world where technology is a force for inclusion and accessibility.<\/p>\n
Despite our achievements, significant challenges remain. Millions of learners still lack access to quality education due to systemic barriers, inadequate resources, and technological disparities. These inequities have only been exacerbated by worldwide crises, underscoring the urgency of our mission.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
At Benetech, we believe that education can and should be accessible for all\u2014not just for some. That\u2019s why, as we look ahead, we are accelerating our efforts to:<\/p>\n
\n- Leverage AI and emerging technologies to make digital content universally accessible.<\/li>\n
- Bring solutions to developing regions by partnering with governments and organizations.<\/li>\n
- Support schools as they strive to be accessible for all students, teachers, and community members, by providing resources, training, and tools to educators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Building the Future Together
\n<\/strong>Our 25-year legacy is only the beginning. The next chapter will require bolder innovations, stronger collaborations, and unwavering commitment to dismantling the barriers that persist in education. I am confident that before our golden jubilee we will eradicate the inaccessibility of learning content, removing a barrier that has faced those with disabilities throughout human history. We invite you\u2014our supporters, partners, and changemakers\u2014 to join us in shaping a world where every learner, everywhere, has the opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\nThank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can ensure even greater impact, innovation, and inclusion.<\/p>\n
With gratitude and determination,<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/prospectus2025.benetech.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ayan-Keyshore.jpg\" "\\"Ayan-Keyshore\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Ayan](\"https:\/\/prospectus2025.benetech.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ayan-Signature.png\" "\\"Ayan")
<\/span><\/div>AYAN KISHORE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>CEO, Benetech<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Bookshare:<\/span> Decades of Learning Without Limits<\/h2><\/div>Bookshare is the world\u2019s most extensive digital library for individuals who read differently, such as those with blindness, low vision, dyslexia, or other reading disabilities. Through Bookshare, readers can choose to listen to books, view synchronized highlighted text, read in braille or large font, and customize their reading experiences to best suit their needs.<\/p>\n
Bookshare breaks down barriers by providing adaptive reading formats that provide users access to nearly any book they want to for school, work, or leisure, all in one place. Bookshare audiobooks and eBooks fit individual needs, fostering independence and enriching readers\u2019 lives by giving them access to literature, education, and resources previously unavailable in accessible formats.<\/p>\n
This achievement is made possible through partnerships with over 1,000 publishers, 6,000 U.S. school districts, and supportive communities of educators and parents.<\/p>\n<\/div>
0<\/span>%<\/span><\/div>of our Bookshare collection is composed of STEM Books<\/div><\/div><\/div>
0<\/span>+<\/span><\/div>languages available in Bookshare library<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bookshare is supported by the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs and the Allene Reuss Memorial Trust. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Image](\"https:\/\/prospectus2025.benetech.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bookshare-Girl.jpg\" "\\"Bookshare-Girl\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>“I remember thinking that I would never learn how to read, but Bookshare put me in my own world, <\/strong><\/em>and I found out that this is how everybody feels when they read.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>EMERY LOWER, BOOKSHARE USER, 6TH GRADE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Judy’s Story<\/h3><\/div>Judy Dixon has been a Bookshare member since the very beginning. \u201cI started using Bookshare in 2000, right when it launched,\u201d she recalls. \u201cBack then, most of the books were scanned by individuals\u2014quality varied, but we were just so grateful to have access to anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
As someone blind and has spent her career advancing access to information, Judy has seen tremendous progress over the past two decades. But her commitment to Bookshare isn\u2019t just about what it offers today\u2014it\u2019s about what it can continue to mean for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat keeps me passionate is the opportunity to influence how Bookshare evolves,\u201d Judy shares. Judy joined Benetech\u2019s Board of Directors to lend her voice and leadership to this mission. \u201cI know that Bookshare serves a wide range of users\u2014not everyone reads Braille\u2014but blind readers still face enormous barriers to access. I want to make sure we\u2019re fully meeting those needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Judy believes that Bookshare\u2019s strength lies in its adaptability. \u201cTechnology keeps changing, and Bookshare is keeping pace,\u201d she says. \u201cAs long as we stay focused on the real-world needs of our users and embrace innovation, we can continue to open up learning and literacy for all.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Jack’s Story<\/h3><\/div>For Jack, a seasoned technologist, senior attorney, and Bookshare user, supporting Benetech is personal. Fully blind since age 16, Jack has spent a lifetime navigating a world where even the smallest activities require big solutions to give him access. When he discovered Bookshare more than a decade after high school, it opened new doors\u2014not just for entertainment and learning but for contributing to the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used Bookshare to research and write my book on how people overcome adversity,\u201d Jack explains. \u201cIt was my primary source. Using Bookshare, I surveyed dozens of autobiographies of people facing adversities, flagged key insights, took notes, and ultimately distilled common success factors that I hope to share more broadly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack\u2019s story demonstrates how powerful accessible technology can be, especially when it\u2019s shaped by the people who rely on it. He believed in Benetech\u2019s mission and joined the board, drawn by their commitment to harnessing technology for social good.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/prospectus2025.benetech.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/new-headshot-768x1024-1.jpg\" "\\"Jack")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>As a computer scientist and inventor, Jack sees massive potential in the work ahead. \u201cTechnology is better than ever, but also more capable of leaving people behind. That\u2019s why what Benetech is doing matters so much. We\u2019re working to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that people with print disabilities can access the same opportunities as everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack sees a future where Bookshare unlocks new dimensions of opportunity for people with disabilities worldwide \u2014for example, using AI-generated image descriptions or improved support for math and visuals to meet more needs in more innovative ways. \u201cIt\u2019s not about one tool doing everything. It\u2019s about bringing together the right tools to meet people\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that embracing every challenge, including the ones Benetech is trying to solve, can be a catalyst for extraordinary growth, impact, and success.\u201d \u201cBenetech is solving real problems,\u201d he adds. \u201cBut more than that, we\u2019re imagining what\u2019s next\u2014building platforms that empower people, not just accommodate them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Accessible Reading Drives Real Results<\/h3><\/div>In a recent study conducted in middle schools, students in special education English classes were given the chance to read the same books for independent reading \u2014but with one key difference. One group used Bookshare\u2019s customizable features, like text-to-speech with word highlighting, while the other group read without accessibility support.<\/p>\n
The results? Students who used Bookshare made significantly greater gains in reading comprehension\u2014
\nimproving by half a grade level more than their peers in just five weeks\u2014demonstrating clear growth from start to finish as they benefited from reading in ways that worked best for them.<\/p>\n
The pilot study confirmed that struggling readers who accessed Bookshare\u2019s intuitive features, from customizable voice narration to adjustable text settings, outperformed peers using conventional
\ndigital books.<\/p>\n
These findings echo what we hear daily from Bookshare readers across the country: when students can engage with books on their terms, it highlights the powerful impact Bookshare can have in transforming reading experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>
The Next Evolution of Bookshare: Bookshare+<\/h3><\/div>Driven by the fact that over 70% of learning content is non-textbook based, Bookshare+ is built to create instantly accessible materials through the incorporation of AI technology for students and teachers.\u202fThis will promote a more inclusive classroom experience for teachers and students, while empowering student users to independently learn and grow inside and outside of the classroom. <\/p>\n
With beta and pilot testing in 2025, and a full product launch in 2026, Bookshare+ will revolutionize accessible education by automating document accessibility, providing real-time text-to-speech, image descriptions, and an interactive Q&A assistant. Bookshare+ is designed to integrate with Chromebooks and mobile devices, streamlining workflows and ensuring ADA compliance.\u202f <\/p>\n<\/div>
Unmet Need<\/h5><\/div>\n- 7.6M students<\/strong> in the U.S. face barriers to reading due to dyslexia, visual impairment, or physical disability.<\/li>\n
- >70% of classroom materials<\/strong> are inaccessible out of the box, creating friction for educators and limiting learning access.<\/li>\n
- Teachers spend 7+ hours per week<\/strong> manually adapting content\u2014an unsustainable burden in an understaffed system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Workforce Relevance<\/h5><\/div>\n- 30% of students with disabilities<\/strong> express interest in STEM careers, yet fewer than 10% achieve employment in the field\u2014primarily due to inaccessible instructional content.<\/li>\n
- Bookshare+ reduces that gap by making complex visual and STEM materials more accessible in real time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Key Features<\/h5><\/div>\n- Reading Companion:<\/strong> An AI-powered assistant that builds comprehension and engagement through context-aware chatbot, real-time image descriptions, and text-to-speech functionality.<\/li>\n
- Scan Tool:<\/strong> Transforms inaccessible PDFs and printed materials into fully accessible, screen reader-friendly formats\u2014on demand.<\/li>\n
- LMS Integration:<\/strong> Seamlessly integrates with platforms like Google Classroom to streamline
content distribution and classroom workflows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>Traction and Momentum<\/h5><\/div>\n- MVP completed<\/strong> in early 2025 with full internal testing underway.<\/li>\n
- Pilot launch<\/strong> with multi-school districts planned for Fall 2025<\/li>\n
- Over 100 educators and students<\/strong> engaged in early testing, with 95% finding tools easy to use and 86% reporting a reduction in accessibility barriers<\/li>\n
- Aligned with Title II compliance goals<\/strong> for school districts, creating a strong adoption incentive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
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Bookshare+ is supported by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, General Motors, Cisco, the Esther & Pedro Rosenblatt Foundation, the Severns Family Foundation, The Peninsula Endowment, and Amazon Web Services.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Image](\"https:\/\/prospectus2025.benetech.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Family-Reading.jpg\" "\\"Family-Reading\\"")
<\/span><\/div>The most downloaded books in 2024 were Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone<\/em> by JK Rowling, The Lightning Thief<\/em> by Rick Riordan, and Wonder<\/em> by R. J. Palacio.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/prospectus2025.benetech.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Girl-Reading.jpg\" "\\"Girl-Reading\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\u201cThis is the best PDF converter that I have seen. The quality and clearness of the text appear to be perfect. This is quick, on demand, and it\u2019s through a service I already use. I have dreamed about this type of app.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>BOOKSHARE+ TESTER<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>