General
Publishers and Copyright
General
Q: What is Learning Ally?
A: Learning Ally formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic®, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation's largest educational lending-library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability. RFB&D was founded in 1948 by Anne T. Macdonald to address the needs of the growing number of soldiers who were blinded in action during World War II and who were unable to take advantage of a free education through the GI Bill due to their disability.
Today, Learning Ally serves individuals with print disabilities from kindergarten through college and into their adult careers with educational content needed for their academic and personal success. Read more about why we've changed our name.
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Q: When would someone use Learning Ally's audiobooks?
A: One of the most common places audiobooks are used is in schools to provide auditory learners and individuals with print disabilities with access to the curriculum. Students use audiobooks right in the classroom at listening centers, in small groups or during individual assignments. Many students also use audiobooks at home when completing homework assignments.
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Q: How can someone listen to a Learning Ally audiobook?
A: Learning Ally offers several options for listening to audiobooks including downloadable books, desktop devices, portable players, apps for iOS and computer software programs for both PCs and Macs. Visit the online catalog to learn more about the playback devices.
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Q: What is a print disability?
A: A print disability can be a learning disability, a visual impairment or a physical disability. Although the manners in which the disability occurs are very different, they all share one characteristic: individuals diagnosed with a print disability cannot access print in the standard way.
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Q: What can a person with print disabilities do to improve their educational experience?
A: The Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) states that all learners must be provided with equal access to educational materials. It is the legal responsibility of the school to ensure that this occurs, but students can take an active role by:
- Educating themselves about their disability
- Becoming their own advocates. Students should familiarize themselves with IDEA and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to make sure they are getting all of the rights they are entitled to. Students often know what strategy or accommodation works best for them and they should share this with their teachers
- Obtaining accessible print materials. For example, students with print disabilities can order their books from Learning Ally in a digitally recorded CD format (DAISY CDs) or in a downloadable format (WMA Downloadable or Downloadable DAISY)
- Implementing assistive technology (AT) tools
- Joining Internet (e.g. listservs) or in-person support groups. Visit our Resources page for more information.
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Publishers and Copyright
Q: Why does Learning Ally record in specialized formats and why do I need specialized equipment to listen to Learning Ally's DAISY formatted audiobooks?
A: The audiobooks you receive from Learning Ally are not like the standard CDs or MP3s you play on your stereo at home or in your car. Learning Ally produces CDs and downloadable audio textbooks that are protected and playable only on specialized devices and software.
Learning Ally records in specialized formats to comply with US copyright law and to protect the property of the publishers whose works we make available in accessible formats. U.S. Copyright law allows us to duplicate titles provided we offer them in specialized formats, and only to a qualified population. In our case, that population includes people with documented disabilities, such as a learning disability, visual impairment or other physical disability.
If you choose to listen to Learning Ally DAISY CD books, you'll need a specially equipped CD player, software or a proper playback system. Learning Ally offers for sale a selection of audiobook playback devices for teachers and professionals to use in the classroom, office or at home. We also offer listening accessories, such as headsets and adapters. These items are described in detail when you visit the Players & Software page. If you are using Downloadable DAISY, visit the DAISY Downloadable Support website if you have any questions or need help.
If you choose to listen to Learning Ally's WMA Downloadable audio textbooks, you will need to make sure you have a proper playback system or portable media player. Visit our WMA Downloadable Support website if you have any questions or need help using WMA Downloadable.
If you choose to listen to Learning Ally's Downloadable DAISY books, you will need to purchase our iOS app, Learning Ally Audio, for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch for $19.99. Visit our
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Q: What is a Copyright Acknowledgment form?
A: To order digital books you must obtain and sign a Copyright Acknowledgment Form. Learning Ally members who reside outside of the United States, unless they are US citizens living temporarily abroad for studies or military service, cannot order books in a digital format.
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Q: Is Learning Ally required to seek copyright permission from publishers to produce and distribute books in accessible format?
A: Prior to 1996, Learning Ally formerly RFB&D contacted individual publishers and copyright holders for permission to create and distribute audio books in accessible format for individuals with print disabilities. In September of 1996, Congress amended U.S. Copyright Law, declaring that the reproduction and distribution of accessible versions of publishers' works to blind and other disabled individuals by authorized entities is "not an infringement" of copyright. The amendment is called the "Chafee Amendment" after Senator Chafee who advocated for its passage. With the passage of this amendment Learning Ally no longer needs to submit individual requests to publishers for U.S. copyright permission, as we meet the qualifications of an authorized entity. Learning Ally serves only individuals with print disabilities, as defined in the Chafee legislation, and members must submit documentation of their disability by a competent authority. See further details on eligibility and certification.
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Q: How does Learning Ally work with publishers to produce accessible versions of their books?
A: Learning Ally works in partnership with the major textbook publishers to acquire and produce the core textbooks that are used in K-12 school and college curriculums. In order to reduce the cost of acquisition of print copies of texts for recording, our collection development librarians work closely with publisher contacts, which provide complimentary copies of their textbooks for recording. Learning Ally acknowledges publisher gift-in-kind donations in our annual report. Publishers also refer individuals, who contact them requesting accessible versions of their titles, back to Learning Ally, for provision of an accessible, recorded textbook.
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