Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

DECEMBER 16, 2013

My reaction was that this kind of advocacy work was a luxury we couldn’t afford. We were elated and eager to get to work. Benetech was founded to be a different kind of Silicon Valley tech company—a nonprofit dedicated to creating social change at scale. I’d say, dodging the recommendations. I was wrong.

Advocacy 176

Advocacy Change Literacy DC 176

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 29, 2016

If you’ve been burning to use your considerable talents to make a difference, rather than make a lot of money, it’s time you considered joining our growing team. Unfortunately, the economic model that works so well for creating wealth, falls short when it comes to helping the poor. Your skills and experiences.

Money 100

Money Children Problem Model 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

AUGUST 10, 2015

Are you someone who is burning to make a difference? It’s hard for most organizations to accommodate nonstandard approaches to work. Rights-focused: Advancing the human rights of disadvantaged people is central to our work. Someone who values doing good over a whopping salary? Do you want flexibility in your job?

Help 100

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

Whatever works for the reader who needs to read differently. If it works, libraries like Bookshare would mainly be put out of business. About the dozens of tributes we read at Bookshare from students, from teachers, from leaders, from publishers, all appreciating Robin’s work. Make it bigger. Make it talk.

eBook 100

eBook United States Literacy Library 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

AUGUST 10, 2012

We prefer to work mainly behind the scenes, helping the activists pursue their mission of improving respect for human rights, advocating for policy change that advance rights and sometimes even obtaining justice against the perpetrators. At Benetech, we're thinking about human rights activists everyday.

Online 171

Online Government Tech Design 171

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

AUGUST 7, 2013

have been asking about the Treaty of Marrakesh (formal name: The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities. Second, the Treaty allows for easier import and export of accessible versions of books and other copyrighted works. Works Covered.

Copyright 158

Copyright Law United States Library 158

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

APRIL 10, 2013

Here big data affected a global policy debate—and will hopefully make a big difference. We’ll learn much about things like how (or whether) textbooks get used and which approaches to a specific learning objective work best. Working together, we can show how Big Data makes more than big profits—it can make a big difference.

Profit 171

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

DECEMBER 16, 2014

From people in Latin America who face severe water scarcity to at-risk human rights defenders and students with disabilities, our users and their families are the ones who best convey the impact of our work. As we look forward to 2015, we recognize that much work remains to be done, and we definitely need your continued support.

Open Source 183

Open Source Africa Zimbabwe Malawi 183

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 8, 2015

The Vice President of Human Rights will lead the work of the Benetech Human Rights Program, harnessing the power of technology to meet the pressing needs of advocates and human rights defenders to securely gather, store, and appropriately report sensitive data. Working for Benetech is hugely rewarding, but not necessarily in a monetary sense.

Technology 100

Technology Literacy Social Uganda 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

APRIL 22, 2009

Every year, the American Library Association picks a different theme for the occasion. When as the Bookshare librarian I fill out membership forms for different library organizations, I want to check all the boxes, as Bookshare is at once a school library, a public library and an academic library. Bookshare is no different.

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Library National India United States 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 15, 2013

This campaign is a wonderful, easy way to share our work and leverage your support even further with the matching gifts that the Skoll Foundation is generously extending to the Challenge participants. Donations of any amount make a real difference when giving the gift of reading to our veterans.

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Support United States Literacy Brain 179

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

Having learning disabilities or various learning differences, they need alternative reading environments that rely on their strengths rather than on their weaknesses. Thousands of students with differing learning styles and language requirements can also benefit greatly from accessible books. There are some 7.5 There are some 7.5

Student 173

Student Accessibility Copyright Library 173

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 22, 2013

Authorized entities use both “hard” TPMs such as digital locks that only work with authorized players (i.e., Since authorized entities have a strong obligation to exclusively distribute accessible copies to qualifying people with disabilities, it should come as no surprise that they implement TPMs as part of delivering on that obligation.

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Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 4, 2010

We’re working with groups right now on the front lines of human rights abuses around the world. And we’re helping schools and teachers and parents and most of all people with disabilities get access to the information they need for school, work and society. I hope the new year is kind to you and your families.

Team 100

Team Impact Celebrate Place 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 10, 2014

Every month, our staff receives letters from individuals whose lives have been touched by our work. We’re witnessing how data-driven insights are becoming a prerequisite in decision-making and in the practical work of policy and social service organizations. Listen to their needs and adjust course accordingly.

Data 168

Data Classroom Measure Accessibility 168

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 14, 2012

I have led Martus outreach and training for the past 4 years and worked with human rights defenders all over the world, but because of the project-specific nature of our work, I interact with each of our partners separately.

Global 157

Global Group Thailand Burma 157

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 15, 2012

With technology, you can do incredible things, but with a galvanized community of supporters who work together toward a greater good, we can do anything. Benetech’s Bookshare library is living proof that real, transformative change happens through partnerships and by helping people unleash their talents and energies.

Library 164

Library Student eBook Accessibility 164

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 3, 2016

or the work we do. This question has also been unclear, and different libraries have treated this inconsistently. As the operators of the largest library using this exception in the United States, we see these changes as minor and helpful clarifications. We do not see these changes as having a major impact on who we serve in the U.S.,

United States 100

United States Language Copyright Library 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 10, 2014

Few were available, and he had trouble with the ones that were: they’d often be in a format that didn’t work well with his voice recognition software. To continue this work, we depend on the support of generous donors. Without this service, Bookshare would not be the resource it is today.

Life 147

Life Gift eBook France 147

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 6, 2010

When that didn't work, they bled him again. It wasn't until later that we found that with rare exceptions, bleeding people doesn't work! The final half of the meeting was around organizing working groups to tackle different aspects of making this change throughout the field. This is a very action-oriented community.

Conservancy 124

Conservancy Measure Effective Washington 124

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JULY 9, 2012

Changes often inspire Members to write and it is so helpful to hear about what works (and what doesn't work so we can fix it). Recently in a class that I am taking, I had to evaluate 150 children's books in 7 different categories. I appreciate that so many of our Members take the time to write and thank our team.

Comment 124

Comment Audio Files Evaluation 124

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

OCTOBER 27, 2014

Our work is made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We build our tech-for-good products and reach dollar-by-dollar, and therefore every gift makes a difference for the people we serve. Now, with the Skoll Foundation’s matching support, your gift will have far more impact!

Challenge 144

Challenge eBook Ohio Social 144

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 1, 2011

Our work has significant impact on users, partners, and the fields of social enterprise, human rights, disability and the environment. We seek to evaluate our people and our work, and to continue to document and improve our procedures. Benetech works in partnerships. We honor our commitments to all our stakeholders.

Literacy 145

Literacy Articulate International Open Source 145

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

These are exciting times for everyone who’s been working to meet the accessibility imperative, as we are witnessing global movements that will increase accessible publishing and create new and better opportunities for people with disabilities. Some publishers already do this and they point out that their business is doing just fine.

Accessibility 155

Accessibility Global eBook Copyright 155

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 26, 2011

The universities I visit tend to be full of students and faculty committed to doing important and innovative work. I no longer do any of the scientific work I was trained to do. It stimulates the same pleasure center that brainstorming does for me! My recent visit to Caltech was no exception.

Student 133

Student DC University Washington 133

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

NOVEMBER 23, 2009

That's a huge difference compared to copyrighted works that we convert under the copyright exemption, which we have to keep under tight controls to restrict copyrighted works to only the use of people with bona fide print disabilities in the U.S. Since they are open, we can get them and do the adaptations for accessibility.

Accessibility 150

Accessibility Content Open Copyright 150

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 17, 2014

Such action, the Court decided, didn’t constitute copyright infringement because it was fair use , that is, a limitation and exception to the exclusive rights granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. This ruling by the Supreme Court in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.,

Copyright 196

Copyright Law Library Accessibility 196

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

DECEMBER 8, 2010

Benetech's chief scientist, Dr. Patrick Ball, has spent time there working on the scientific challenges of our work studying large scale human rights violations. Only one didn't work at all for me: Singularity Institute. Extensive change is going from something that works at one scale and bringing it up to a larger scale.

Philanthropy 206

Philanthropy Foundation San Jose Studies 206

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 13, 2009

People working with each other. Q: What's the difference between All for Good and other service websites like VolunteerMatch, Network for Good and Obama's Serve.gov? These sites should be working together using technology like RSS feeds. If we’re serious about service, we’ll work together. Simplicity. A: No top three.

Interview 100

Interview Afghanistan Government Iraq 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 24, 2011

The Think Different Summit was 15-20 smart people, led by an experienced facilitator, trying to imagine the future of the learning disability rights movement. I received a handful of people we should be talking to, and strong feedback on different aspect of our ideas.

Rhode Island 145

Rhode Island Learning Roles Course 145

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 3, 2008

Kathy would stop and chat with different people as we walked around the island's circumference, checking in before taking our party further. Donna went to work, checking to see if the little girl could stand and walk. People eat a combination of imported and local food.

Children 109

Children Phone Green Local 109

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 23, 2014

As always, I’m delighted to share the latest Benetech highlights as we work on these ambitious 10X dreams! First, we are working to lower the barrier to the use of strong encryption to automatically protect the privacy of sensitive information. Bookshare is helping Kevin— who had suffered a brain injury—to keep up with his school work.

Literacy 158

Literacy eBook United Kingdom Accessibility 158

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JUNE 13, 2016

In the pilot phase, you frequently have the best (human) conditions: the best partners and the best program staff making something work. He notes: “the right people can work around a bad technology, but the wrong people will mess up even a good one.” Wishful thinking makes many people dream of quick fixes.

Laptop 100

Laptop Hype Ghana Phase 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 7, 2012

It's been working its network of donors interested in water issues who can make a commitment at this level, and have found three more donors for a total of $4 million so far. So, he didn't think that selling innovation separately made sense for his work at all.

Fund 154

Fund Social Liberia Money 154

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

I was delighted when Ron Schultz invited me to collaborate with him on his latest book Creating Good Work – The World’s Leading Social Entrepreneurs Show How to Build a Healthy Economy. Ron Schultz's latest book, Creating Good Work Creating Good Work arrives at a critical time for the social entrepreneurial movement.

Develop 144

Develop Social Library eBook 144

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

The law that Congress passed that directed the creation of the Commission has quite a number of issues we're supposed to work on, including definitions of qualifying students and instructional materials as well as considering what systems might be established to help accessibility be better delivered.

Instruction 100

Instruction Instructional Student Law 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

The biggest area of our work to date is for schools in the U.S., It doesn't know the difference between needing to access the text of the book to make an illegal copy, or to send it to a Braille notetaker/display, or a voice synthesizer program that will read the text aloud. Work directly with publishers and authors.

Copyright 158

Copyright Social Law Student 158