Spotlight Text. The first eBook reader
specifically for individuals with vision loss.

YES! Recently we launched Spotlight Text Lite that comes preinstalled with 20 popular books. To gain access to Bookshare you need to purchase the pro version. Download Spotlight Text Lite Now!

Bookshare® is an online library of digital books for people with print disabilities. It operates under an exception to U.S. copyright law that allows copyrighted digital books to be made available to people with qualifying disabilities. In addition, many publishers and authors have volunteered to provide Bookshare with access to their works. By requiring individuals to register as Members and provide a Proof of Disability, Bookshare ensures that only qualified individuals use the service.

Bookshare Members download books and textbooks in a compressed, encrypted file. They then read the material using adaptive technology, typically software that reads the book aloud (text-to-speech) and/or displays the text of the book on a computer screen, tablet, or Braille access devices, such as refreshable Braille displays.

In order to qualify for Bookshare an individual must have a visual deficit that prevents reading normal print. If you are blind or legally blind you qualify. If you have significant eye disease that prevents you from reading regular sized print you will also qualify.

In order to qualify a Competent Authority must certify your visual disability.

For visual deficits a Competent Authority would be the following:

1. Doctors of medicine or osteopathy, ophthalmologist, optometrists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners,
2. Physician assistants, therapists, professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public agencies (e.g., Lighthouse Guild International)
3. Teachers of the visually impaired, social workers, counselors, or rehabilitation teachers
4. Family Doctor
5. If none of the above is available a local librarian may qualify.

To use Spotlight Text to access Copyrighted books the following needs to be completed and submitted to Bookshare by either fax, electronically or by mail.

Sign up on Bookshare

PDF Download of Forms

1. Individual Membership Form
2. Certification Form

Spotlight Text incorporates the latest methodology developed by research on people with visual impairments. The methods of text presentation have been tested on hundreds of patients. This testing was partially conducted by Lighthouse Guild International based in New York City.

Check out the How to Get Spotlight Text section above!

The user interface of Spotlight is simple facilitating easy downloading and reading of books. No technological knowledge is necessary.

Spotlight Text integrates seamlessly with your television, so text can be viewed in huge sizes if needed.

Spotlight Text accesses Bookshare’s vast library for a low $25 set-up cost and $50 annual cost (children and students free). Organizations and some countries can receive discounts. View more details on Bookshare's pricing.

No, Spotlight is uniquely designed for use with books downloaded from Bookshare’s library.

Yes! It is easy to sync Spotlight Text to a large HD Television making it possible to view text at any size. We recommend purchasing an Apple TV from Apple's website. Just follow the steps on Apple's AirPlay Mirroring page to get Spotlight Text blown up on your big screen.

Yes, Spotlight Text integrates with Apple’s voiceover feature. Braille readers can also be used with Spotlight Text. While the interface was designed for people with low vision, its easy user interface is accessible by a blind reader.