Program areas at BENETECH
Accessible education content and technology:benetech has been delivering inclusive learning solutions for over 20 years as the developer of bookshare, the world's largest service for accessible education materials. Benetech is transforming how educational content is made accessible through initiatives like bookshare and its global certified accessible (gca) program. Through the bookshare platform, Benetech provides the world's largest online service for accessible e-books delivering more than 20 million e-books and materials that have served over 1.5 million learners. Benetech bookshare members read books in formats that work best for them, whether it be audio, typography manipulation, word highlights synced with audio and so on through the browser, mobile application or other assistive Technology (at) of choice. Benetech's goal for all learners is to improve literacy and foster a love for life-long learning. Benetech continues to scale and innovate, including taking on the next frontier of learning content by making stem accessible and equitable for all learners. The born accessible, gca initiative continues to drive system change in the publishing industry, partnering with publishers to make books accessible when they are created.inclusive education capacity building and community engagement:benetech is deepening its impact on equity in education by working closely with community-based organizations, schools, districts and more, to identify and provide students and those serving them, such as after school programs, the support they need. Domestically, Benetech is expanding its local outreach programs across urban and rural communities in need - such as atlanta, albuquerque, detroit, las vegas and memphis - and are building a model for place-based change to close learning gaps.benetech serves learners in over 90 countries directly or through partners and provide capacity building services for inclusive education and education for students with disabilities, particularly in low and middle income countries. Benetech supports schools for digital transformation to embrace inclusive education through digital literacy and digital pedagogy. Benetech provides training and technical assistance to educators to effectively use accessible content and Technology.
Tech matters: this fiscally sponsored project works in three areas: building the tech for social good field, assisting crisis response helplines, and supporting local leaders around the world. Field-building work includes no-charge consulting to nonprofit leaders, a podcast featuring tech for good leaders, public speaking and written articles. Aselo is an open-source contact center platform designed specifically for the needs of crisis response helplines which do counseling, referral and case management. Aselo was deployed in eleven countries at the end of 2022. Terraso is an open source, online platform being built for local leaders to access the tools, data and funding they need to build more sustainable and regenerative local economies against the backdrop of climate change. Terraso was in its initial software development phase during 2022 and is expected to launch in 2023.benetech is vulnerable to the inherent risks associated with revenue that is substantially dependent on government funding, public support, and contributions. The continued growth and well-being of Benetech is contingent upon successful achievement of its long-term revenue-raising goals.
Human rights: Benetech's prior, additional work specific to human rights has transitioned to partners in those communities.
Poverty: inequity demands social action. Lack of access to education, employment, health, housing, and justice hinders human progress. We're driven to level the playing field by providing collaborative software platforms. Through information and data exchange we can help close the gaps and provide a bridge to new opportunities for those who need it. Benetech service net is making it easier to share and maintain information on social and human services.benetech labs: Benetech labs is our innovation and new product development center, where we explore areas of need and develop solutions by engaging with communities, other technologists, and nonprofits. We focus on finding and developing effective platforms that Benetech and the communities we serve can take to scale and achieve lasting social impact.