Reading is something we do practically every day. It's hard to imagine that some individuals aren't able to read a book simply because it's not accessible to them. But for those with visual impairments and other disabilities, reading becomes an obstacle when print media are not accessible in specific formats.

Bookshare is an organization that provides an online library of accessible print materials. From books to textbooks and newspapers to popular magazines, the world of knowledge is accessible to individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities. "Books without Barriers" is part of the organization's mission and is intended "to raise the floor of access so that people with print disabilities can obtain a broad spectrum of print materials at the same time as everyone else." The online library is only for those with disabilities, and requires individuals to register as Members and provide a Proof of Disability. Bookshare's various reading formats are available for specific disability needs, such as blindness and visual impairments, physical disabilities, and learning disabilities.

To learn more about Bookshare and how the service works, go to http://www.bookshare.org.

Send your questions and comments to Jenny Carlton, NCHPAD News Editor, at jcarlto1@uic.edu.