Learning Ally: Empowering Students with Reading Disabilities Through Audiobooks

Learning Ally is a non-profit organization committed to helping dyslexic, blind, and visually impaired students thrive. Understanding that reading struggles can hinder learning, Learning Ally's mission is to remove barriers by providing access to audiobooks. Their online library includes a vast selection of human-narrated textbooks and literature for readers of all ages, accessible on most computers, smartphones, and tablets.

What is Learning Ally?

Learning Ally is an audiobook reading app designed to help students with dyslexia, blindness, or visual impairment improve their reading skills. Initially created for blind and dyslexic students, it has evolved to include support for learners below grade level, those with special needs, and other disabilities. It can serve students on 504 and IEP plans, as well as RTI and MTSS students who require additional support but may not have a formal diagnosis.

Accessibility and Features

With Learning Ally, audiobooks can be accessed on any internet-enabled device. The collection spans various genres, including non-fiction, and can be used alongside standard print books.

The app is designed for simplicity, utilizing symbols instead of words and a layout that is easy for elementary school students to navigate. Students have control over the audiobook's playback, including adjusting reading speed. The app also offers customizable text, text highlighting, background colors, spacing, and margins.

Addressing Reading Challenges

Learning Ally supports students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities by allowing them to improve their reading skills through listening. The platform offers a library of expertly narrated literature, textbooks, and teacher resources. These resources aim to improve comprehension and understanding of texts, rather than focusing solely on the mechanics of reading. This approach helps students develop higher-level critical thinking skills and enjoy the act of reading.

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Membership and Eligibility

An annual Learning Ally membership costs \$135 and includes:

Unlimited access to their audiobook catalog with over 80,000 titles
Access to their virtual "Spotlight on Dyslexia" conference at a discounted rate. This conference gathers experts in the learning disabilities space and parents to discuss best practices.
Learning Ally scholarship eligibility to assist in college or graduate school costs
Access to their special events and courses at a reduced rate

However, membership is not open to everyone. In compliance with federal copyright law, Learning Ally can only produce audiobooks for members with documented disabilities. Therefore, this service is exclusively available to children with a documented learning disability, physical disability, or visual impairment. Membership requests must include official proof of disability, such as an official IEP or 504 documents signed by a qualified clinician.

How to Obtain a Referral

If you suspect your child has dyslexia, a referral can be obtained through a special educator. A checklist can be submitted to determine if a child qualifies, and the "Proof of Disability" form can be submitted to Learning Ally on your behalf.

Benefits and User Experiences

Parents have reported positive experiences with Learning Ally, noting its impact on their children's reading skills and enjoyment.

Improved Reading Skills: Parents have observed that Learning Ally has helped their children develop a desire to read, transforming it from a challenging task into an enjoyable activity.
Enhanced Comprehension: The human-read audiobooks help students overcome reading barriers and improve their understanding of the material.
Increased Independence: Students can select and add books to their bookshelf and access them from their mobile devices, promoting independent learning.
Customizable Features: The ability to adjust narration speed, text size, and highlighting helps students tailor the experience to their needs.

Learning Ally vs. Other Options

When considering audiobook services, Learning Ally is often compared to platforms like Audible and Speechify. Here's a brief comparison:

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Learning Ally: Focuses on students with reading disabilities, offering a vast library of human-narrated textbooks and literature. It requires proof of disability for membership.
Audible: A general audiobook service with professionally narrated titles. It offers a subscription-based model with options for purchasing additional books.
Speechify: A text-to-speech reader that converts text on web pages, documents, and images into audible content. It is suitable for a wide range of users, including adults and middle school children.

Tablets for Assistive Technology

For users seeking assistive technology, tablets like the iPad mini, Nexus 7, and Kindle Fire HDX can be valuable tools. These tablets offer features like text-to-speech, adjustable font sizes, and compatibility with apps like Bookshare and Learning Ally.

iPad mini: Offers excellent third-party app support, including Voice Dream Reader, a highly-regarded text-to-speech app.
Nexus 7: Supports Bookshare and Learning Ally apps and allows for customization.
Kindle Fire HDX: Features Immersion Reading, which syncs highlighted Kindle text with professionally narrated audio from Audible.

Considerations for Choosing a Tablet

Text-to-Speech Quality: Look for tablets with high-quality text-to-speech capabilities and natural-sounding voices.
App Support: Ensure the tablet supports the apps and services you need, such as Bookshare and Learning Ally.
Speaker Quality: Consider the speaker quality and positioning for optimal listening experiences.
Operating System: Choose an operating system that is easy to use and offers the necessary accessibility features.

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