Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 7, 2013

Bookshare , our flagship literacy program, is the world’s largest accessible library and currently serves more than 230,000 members with visual and learning disabilities. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, as literacy remains an elusive dream for the majority of the world’s people with print disabilities.

India 225

India Literacy United Kingdom United States 225

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 19, 2013

At CGI Annual Meetings, leaders from across sectors do more than just developing new ideas or getting inspired: they come together to take real action to address pressing global challenges. Our Commitment is to increase service and expand the number of accessible books for blind people in India via our Bookshare International initiative.

Global 134

Global India Mobile Impact 134

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 19, 2014

Even though Benetech doesn’t have donor funding for this, our VP of Global Literacy, Betsy Beaumon, and I thought it would be worthwhile to attend this meeting. Getting some kind of licensing deal is critically important, because it will take many years for the Marrakesh Treaty to be fully implemented with its copyright exceptions.

Accessibility 247

Accessibility Copyright License Library 247

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 23, 2014

Technology currently serves privileged groups through tools that provide access to education, literacy, health, and justice. One major step to improving security of sensitive information was the recent development and release of Mobile Martus. But what about everybody else? The time has never been better to think 10X bigger!

Literacy 158

Literacy eBook United Kingdom India 158

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

Highlights of this Update: Global Literacy Human Rights Benetech Labs Communications Global Literacy Bookshare celebrated a double milestone this summer, reaching over 200,000 available titles in our collection and serving over 250,000 members with disabilities! The Treaty was signed on the spot by over 50 countries.

India 142

India Literacy Global Accessibility 142

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

We’re operating at the forefront of copyright limitations and exceptions, both in the United States and globally. The recent Indian copyright amendment that creates an exception similar to Section 121 in the United States, which makes it possible for us to set up a Bookshare-style crowd-sourced library in India with local partner NGOs.

United States 134

United States Library Copyright License 134