Members

About Print Disabilities

Providing proof of a print disability is the second step in becoming a full Bookshare.org member. Only full members can download copyrighted books.

There are two options for providing proof of disability:

Option A: Have the proof of disability form signed by a qualified professional and mailed or faxed to Bookshare.org. This is one of the legal requirements under which Bookshare.org operates. Print disabilities include visual impairments and blindness, reading disabilities, and physical impairments that make it difficult or impossible to read printed books.

There are three ways to access the form:

• Download a word processor document.
  Fill out the form and print it; or email or fax it to the certifying professional.
• Download a document in text form.
  
  Fill out the form and print it; or email or fax it to the certifying professional.
• Go to an online form
  Fill out the form online. You can then print it to give to the certifying professional or enter an email address and a short note and we will email the form for you.

The certifying professional who signs the form must be a recognized expert who attests to the physical basis of the visual, perceptual, or other physical disability that limits the applicant's use of standard print. Read more about who may certify.

Option B: This option is only for individuals who already receive services from the NLS network of cooperating libraries (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped). We can verify directly with NLS that you receive services from them and accept this as eligibility for full Bookshare.org membership.

Once you register, you will be able to fill out the online form and submit it for verification.

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