Learning Ally – Making reading accessible for all.
Ally. (pronounced AL-EYE)
Noun. A supporter. A friend.
Learning Ally – A friend to all who learn differently.
A Name Change Driven by our Users
Changing the name of a long-established national institution such as RFB&D is not something we entered into lightly. Over the past year, we conducted research and focus groups with hundreds of students, parents, educators, volunteers and funders – to define the future direction of the organization.
- Our members themselves were the key drivers of this transformation. For one thing, many of our members are neither blind nor dyslexic. Our mix of users today includes individuals with diverse learning differences that are outside the scope of our former name.
- Most important of all, our members have expressed loud and clear that they don’t wish to be labeled or typecast with a specific ‘disability.’ They just want the same opportunities to succeed that others enjoy. Our new name goes to the heart of supporting their desire to learn and achieve.
- Continuity and evolution: While certainly continuing to record books for blind, dyslexic, and many other kinds of users, we’ll be providing even more services and resources in the future – always putting our users first within the assistive technology community.
- Learning Ally is more than just a new name – it reflects our vision to become an advocate and friend to those who learn differently. We invite our growing community of parents, volunteers, donors and friends to become a "Learning Ally" with us by supporting individuals for whom reading and access are barriers to learning.