Our History

In 2002, Benjamin Slotznick had been developing the Point-and-Read screen-reader, but needed ways to train people how to use it. So he illustrated stories to use as "homework". The stories had only a few words plus one picture on each web-screen. They looked much like picture-books for young readers.

People learning to use the Point-and-Read software enjoyed the illustrated stories and wanted more. But Dr. Slotznick found that there were very few illustrated stories on the Internet that could be read aloud by screen-readers.

During the summer of 2003, artwork for approximately 40 books was produced by student "interns". But this collection of stories would someday need to be run as a non-profit library, so Dr. Slotznick incorporated Accessible Knowledge. Six months later, in early 2004, a website named Bibli's Bookshelf at www.bibli.org was set up to host the growing library.

Dr. Slotznick continued to commission intern artwork for the library, to improve the user experience on the library website, and to work on "back-end" software that would help people with different disabilities use the library.

In 2005, Accessible Knowledge received provisional tax-exempt status as a charitable organization.

Today, Bibli's Bookshelf had over 150 books in many categories for different types of readers. The on-line experience is richer, the software is easier to use, and the library continues to grow.

Copyright (c) 2006