Have you heard of Learning Ally?
I first became aware of this wonderful organization back in 2000 when my son’s struggle with Tourette’s syndrome and dyslexia made it difficult for him to focus on text. Back then, the organization was known as Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, but in 2011 they became simply Learning Ally.
Learning Ally is a non-profit organization committed to helping dyslexic, blind, and visually impaired students thrive. They understand that for some kids, reading struggles hinder learning.
They have made it their mission to help remove the barriers that hold kids back by providing them with audiobooks. Audiobooks help kids experience the many benefits of consuming text, but without the struggle of reading.
Learning Ally’s online library includes a huge selection of human-narrated textbooks and literature for readers of all ages that can be downloaded and listened to on most computers, smartphones, and tablets. I am grateful to Learning Ally for giving my son access to text that he was unable to read fluently when he was a child. He enjoyed many great books and was able to grow in vocabulary and background knowledge because of the work that Learning Ally does.
An annual membership that provides access to all the services that Learning Ally offers costs $135*. But not just anyone can qualify for these services. In order to comply with federal copyright law, Learning Ally is able to produce audiobooks only by documenting that their members have disabilities. And because only children who have a documented learning disability, visual impairment, or physical disability can receive assistance from Learning Ally, verification of the disability must accompany a membership request.
*Use promotional code CERTREG2 to receive 20% off on your Learning Ally membership. However, please note that when we refer you for a Learning Ally membership, you will automatically receive 20% off your initial membership with no promotional code needed.
If you suspect that your child has dyslexia, a referral can be obtained through a special educator. And guess what? That’s us!
We would love to recommend your child for Learning Ally, on the condition that we can verify that your child is dyslexic or has a reading disability. To find out whether or not your child is eligible for this service, please fill out our Symptoms of Dyslexia Screening Checklist.
After filling out the checklist, save the PDF to your computer and then submit the checklist to us.
When you submit the checklist, please include your child’s name, age, your name, email address, and telephone number. After receiving your checklist, we will determine if your child qualifies and will submit the “Proof of Disability” form to Learning Ally on your behalf. Contact us if you have any questions.
Please Note: Learning Ally is for U.S. residents only
Although we are able to provide referrals for membership with Learning Ally, we are not associated with their organization. Please contact Learning Ally directly for all inquiries related to Learning Ally’s products and services.
Resources like Learning Ally have been a lifesaver for so many families like mine. But even great resources are not intended to take the place of a comprehensive reading program. If your child is struggling with reading, it is essential that he receive explicit reading instruction. All About Reading and All About Spelling have become the go-to curriculum resource for scores of families who want to help their children become better readers and spellers, whether or not they have dyslexia. Because even if your child doesn’t have a documented reading disability, he or she will benefit from the multisensory, no-gaps approach that makes our programs so special.
Does your family have any favorite audio books, either through Learning Ally or other sources?
Vighnesh
says:hello every one,
i am Vighnesh from India.
i am perceiving bachelor of science with Physics.
so here i don’t have accessible books.
so want to be a member in Learning Ally, Can I be?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceVighnesh,
I’m sorry, no. A person must reside in the US to be eligible for Learning Ally. From Learning Ally’s site: “Regrettably, U.S. copyright restrictions continue to preclude us from being able to provide digitally produced audiobooks to applicants residing outside of the U.S.”
louise tyson
says:can this be accessed in uk?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceLouise,
I’m sorry, no.
From Learning Ally’s site: “Regrettably, U.S. copyright restrictions continue to preclude us from being able to provide digitally produced audiobooks to applicants residing outside of the U.S. Additionally, Learning Ally does not provide school or institutional memberships for foreign-based institutions.”
Aubrey
says:I have a student who has been using Learning Ally for many years. He has a login through a contract that our district has. He is graduating and will be attending college. Are there programs that can help the family obtain Learning Ally for him to use in college?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAubrey,
I encourage you to contact Learning Ally directly to ask them. Their website is https://learningally.org/.
In addition, speak with the college he will be attending. My son’s school had its own resource for audiobook textbooks.
Ariel
says:Hi, can non English speaking persons donate to learning ally
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAriel,
You will need to contact Learning Ally directly to find out what services they have. The website is https://learningally.org/
Rachael Schmidt
says:My son has already been diagnosed w Dyslexia and adhd and I have documentation and he does receive IEP and a 504 services through his school. My sons teacher recommended this program especially since he currently social distancing from school and needs to do work at home.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceRachel,
It sounds like you have what you need to get a Learning Ally membership for your son. You can do that through their website, https://learningally.org/
However, you might be interested in our Dyslexia Resources.
Let me know if you need anything from All About Learning Press.
Rhonda
says:Can Learning Ally be used as a school library resource? There are so many non-readers in my school. They would love to read along with stories.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceRhonda,
You would need to contact Learning Ally regarding this and other questions. We can aid individuals in getting proof of disability for a student so they can get a membership, but we are not directly involved with Learning Ally’s resources.
Sandra Campbell
says:Does a significant TBI qualify for Learning Ally?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSandra,
I think a traumatic brain injury would qualify for Learning Ally. Their Eligibility page doesn’t specifically mention TBI, but it does mention “physical disability” and I think it would qualify under that. The physician verification form, available on the Eligibility page, doesn’t even ask what the disability is. It is just the person’s physician filling out that they deem the person will benefit from reading accommodation.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions.
Charlotte Jenkin
says:Can we access a subscription to Learning Ally in Australia?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSorry, Charlotte, no.
According to the Learning Ally website:
“Learning Ally understands how many people with learning disabilities, visual impairments or other physical disabilities outside the United States might be interested in membership.
However, as a result of U.S. copyright restrictions, we are precluded from being able to ship or offer downloadable digitally produced audiobooks outside of the U.S.”
I hope you can find something that will work in Australia.
James
says:Great article. Thanks for sharing these tactics. I always love learning new tidbits.
HEATHER WILLIAMS
says:Does this have books for the children’s school books, such as Science, Social Studies, etc.?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceHeather,
Yes, Learning Ally has numerous textbooks for many different subjects. To see if they have the specific books you need, you can Search and Browse what they have even before you apply for membership.
Tony O Garcia
says:I lov this website
And people here
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAwww, thank you, Tony!
Abbey Hallock
says:Is there an age restriction for these resources?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAbbey,
No, there is no age restriction. Learning Ally is for learners of all ages.
Claire L
says:Thank you so much for offering this! My son finds trying to read on his own painfully difficult, but he loves being read to and listening to audio books. Learning Ally seems like it would be a helpful resource in addition to All About Reading.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceClaire,
You are welcome. Having ready access to audiobooks is very helpful.
Stacey
says:Thank you so very much for posting this info!!!
Marsena
says:Thanks so much for posting about this!
Brenda White
says:my son just got an IEP at the charter school his is attending. In the results they say he has a mild cognitive learning deficiency, and he is diagnosed with ADHD that interferes with his learning . Would that qualify us for this program and help. My son is reading on a second grade level and he is in 4th grade now and was retained in first grade We are just starting to use the all about learning reading and spelling program and my son’s fluency in reading is very poor. below grade level. I need help as I home school my child because of the bulling and other behavior problems in school.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceBrenda,
I’m am sorry to hear your son is struggling in this way, and I am particularly sadden to hear that he is experiencing bullying.
ADHD, by itself, does not qualify for Learning Ally. Cognitive learning deficiency is not on Learning Ally’s list of conditions that do qualify, nor is it on the list of conditions that don’t qualify. Since you have an IEP, you could contact Learning Ally and ask them directly.
However, you can also look through our Symptoms of Dyslexia Checklist and see if there are a number of things you could check. We may be able to process your approval for Learning Ally using our checklist.
Renee Willoughby
says:I look forward to joining with you to assist us in our journey of reading.
Jill
says:Great resource. Thanks for sharing.
Jray Jhones
says:thanks for sharing the resource
Kate Page
says:I am a New Zealand teacher of students with learning disabilities. How can I get access to this resource please?
Regards
Kate
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceKate,
I’m sorry, but Learning Ally is for US residents only. From Learning Ally’s site: “Regrettably, U.S. copyright restrictions continue to preclude us from being able to provide digitally produced audiobooks to applicants residing outside of the U.S. Additionally, Learning Ally does not provide school or institutional memberships for foreign-based institutions.”
Milissa
says:I didn’t know this organization existed! Thank you for always providing great information!
Kristy S
says:Not only are these awesome resources for students with visual impairments, I think about many of the students who struggle with fluency and how audio books are a great way for them to listen to fluent reading and then practice the passages/texts themselves as a repeated reading activity!
amy cook
says:do you know if I would have to pay the membership for each child or just one per family? I have 2 boys that qualify?
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceAmy,
The annual membership is labeled as a “Family Membership” on their website. This covers up to 4 children with an unlimited number of books allowed. So, pay for one and both enjoy!
Debra Wallace
says:Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this. We’ve been using Audible and it’s crazy expensive. We joined and this has been a huge blessing to us. My dyslexic daughter is already in love with audiobooks and it’s such a blessing to give her nearly unlimited access and independence. Thank you!
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Debra. It sounds like your daughter is going to have a lot of fun with Learning Ally!
Jill
says:Is Tourette Syndrome a covered disability? My son is often unable to hold books due to motor tics. He also has head shaking tics that make reading a nightmare. I end up reading for him alot of the time.
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceJill,
On the Learning Ally website they state, “Learning Ally services are limited to individuals with documented learning disabilities, vision impairment, or physical disabilities that impede the ability to process standard print.” (emphasis mine). While Tourette Syndrome isn’t specifically mentioned, I think this statement strongly suggests that your son’s struggles would qualify him. I recommend you contact them directly.
daniela_p
says:My child like an audio book with a car. He learn to spell by listening the story
Tiffany
says:My uncle was dyslexic, he struggled at reading and writing. Back then, they just passed him threw the grades and he graduated anyways. It’s great knowing there’s programs and possibilities out there now to help with these disabilities.
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceTiffany,
It’s not just “back then”. My nephew-in-law (my niece’s husband) has a similar story, and he’s only 25 or so.
Laura
says:This sounds like it would be amazing for my autistic son. He struggles a lot with reading, but has never had any specific learning disability diagnosed. Would an autism diagnosis alone be enough to qualify him for this program?
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceLaura,
The autism alone would not qualify a child. From their site:
However, you don’t need an official diagnosis in order to qualify. Take a look at the Symptoms of Dyslexia checklist above, and check off any items on the list that applies to your son. Then email Merry at support@allaboutlearningpress.com with the checklist and your concerns. She will be able to tell you if she can refer your son to Learning Ally based on that.
Lori
says:I was able to get the subscription for my son based on the fact that he struggles with processing the words as he reads. We were able to use his Speech Therapist to approve it.
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceThank you for letting us know, Lori. We’ll be able to help others in this direction now.
kai
says:looks like a good program
Linda Viersma
says:Would love to win the 2nd level!