SAGE extends partnership with Load2Learn scheme delivered by RNIB and Dyslexia Action

Los Angeles, CA - SAGE today announced an extended partnership with the Load2Learn initiative delivered by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Dyslexia Action to provide books in an accessible format for the visually impaired and print disabled. From today, this partnership will enable all registered users access to over 2,000 SAGE books from across disciplines.

Load2Learn is a free service, for use by staff who are supporting learners, in the UK, that have a print disability. The scheme enables learners who cannot read standard print, including those with dyslexia and who are blind or partially sighted, to read the same books, at the same time as their classmates, thus providing the same educational opportunities. Due to the support of publishing partners, and registered users contributing resources to share with other users using Load2Learn, the scheme is able to provide this service to print-disabled learners at no extra cost. This formalized partnership with SAGE will add the largest number of books from any single publisher to the Load2Learn platform, enabling access quickly and efficiently to a wide diversity of high quality educational resources from leading authors.

Speaking of the partnership, Huw Alexander, Digital Sales Manager, SAGE:

“Since SAGE’s founding in 1965, a key part of our publishing mission has been to ensure global access to leading scholarship and education. Access to educational material is one of the fundamental parts of a healthy society. We are delighted to be extending our partnership with the Load2Learn scheme enhancing our joint vision of supporting the academic and student community, and assisting in our joint goal to support learning without limits.”

Jennie Short RNIB’s Reading Services Product Manager for Load2Learn commented:

“It’s fantastic to have such a supportive partnership with SAGE. The accessible files for the 2,000 plus titles they’ve provided will increase our book content by 58 per cent - to over 6,000 educational titles. Our Further and Higher Educational offering will increase from eight per cent to over 40 per cent, which is fantastic news for the colleges and universities joining the service, many of which have SAGE publications on their course reading lists. SAGE is the first publisher to proactively provide their files in bulk and is our largest provider of accessible books to date. We work with over 40 publishers and are always happy to hear from new publishers who would like to work with us to support educational opportunities for all print-disabled learners.”

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Load2Learn was founded by RNIB and Dyslexia Action with development funding (2011 to 2013) from the Department of Education. The service has over 10,000 registered users. Educators go through a validation process before being granted membership which gives them access to download resources. Load2Learn, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough, PE2 6WS. Telephone: 0300 303 8313. Email: info@load2learn.org.uk Website: load2learn.org.uk Twitter: @Load2Learn