Exploring Audiobook Options for Dyslexic Students
Audiobooks are one of the most important and valuable accommodations for students with dyslexia. Listening to audiobooks, or “ear reading” as we call it is important for several reasons. Audiobooks allow students with dyslexia to access text at their interest level. This helps develop vocabulary and build an interest in reading. In my experience, the students who make the most progress tend to be those who are avid ear readers.
Learn more about the benefits of using audiobooks with dyslexic students. Read Top Five Reasons To Use Audiobooks With Struggling Readers!
Using audiobooks for content area textbooks or grade-level novels helps to level the playing field for our students. In addition to the exposure to vocabulary and comprehension skills appropriate for their age, listening to audiobooks allows the striving reader to have a fluent model. This can help them progress through the content area curriculum.
It is important for the student listening to audiobooks to be following along with the text. Simultaneous visual and auditory input has proven to be the most effective method for using audiobooks. It is important to recognize that this is NOT cheating. It is a valuable and powerful learning tool.
Learn more about accommodations! Listen to season 1, episode 15 of the Together in Literacy podcast, All About Accommodations for Dyslexia!
The digital age has brought some significant improvements to the world of audiobooks and made them more available than ever before. Many of the robotic digital voices have been replaced by much more life-like recordings. The range of ways to access audiobooks has also improved greatly over the past few years.
Here are My Four Favorite Audiobook Options for Dyslexic Students
The first two resources are for students who have a documented learning disability. You will be asked to provide documentation.
1. Learning Ally
You can call to speak to a representative to help get set up. Learning Ally began with audiobooks for the blind but has expanded to others who can also benefit from audiobooks. Although it is a paid subscription, it is worth making some inquiries in your home school district. Your school may have a subscription or grant funding to allow you to get access to Learning Ally either free or with a discount. Learning Ally has a large library of trade books commonly used in school as well as textbooks. There are clear directions about how to qualify on their website.
2. Bookshare
Bookshare is very similar to Learning Ally. It provides access to textbooks and audiobooks for students with a documented learning disability or visual impairment. It is free for students and schools due to funding through the Department of Education. A paid subscription is available for adults with a documented disability. If you have documented a disability with Bookshare, that information can help you qualify for Learning Ally. The process of qualifying for this resource is reasonably easy to understand.
3. Audible
Audible is for everyone. You don’t need to have a documented learning disability. It is a paid subscription. It is very easy to download audiobooks onto tablets and follow along as you read. There are tons of available titles!
4. Public Library Programs
Check out Hoopla, Libby, or Cloudlibrary!
These programs are offered by the public library system in the United States. If you have an active library card, you should be able to get access to one of these services. There is often much more available than just audiobooks. These services are free of charge and quite easy to use. First, you create an account with the app used by your local library. This usually requires entering your library card number. Once you have done those steps, you gain access to a wide variety of titles. If you don’t have a public library card, this is absolutely worth it just for this resource.
Dive deeper into this topic! Watch my YouTube video, Exploring Audiobook Options!
Famous People With Dyslexia Reading Passages
Support your dyslexic students by learning about famous, neurodiverse people with dyslexia! You can use these reading passages during Dyslexia Awareness Month, Neurodiversity Awareness Month, or any time of year!
Check them out in my TpT store!
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