As dyslexics struggle with reading, pouring over pages of small, tightly-printed text may not be the best option.
Luckily, book scanning has become a viable option for transferring printed text into PDFs and eBook format to help dyslexics read. These digital formats are compatible with much text-to-speech software, which makes reading easier for those with dyslexia.
For those in need of the digital format for text, there are many options for scanning and converting books.
Do-It-Yourself
The do-it-yourself options require a scanner and the books you wish to scan. The process is very tedious, but it is inexpensive and everything will be right on your computer.
Google Docs Scanning
Google docs has an option to make a document from a picture of text. Simply take a picture and follow the instructions on the app.
Eric Mack Online Tutorial
This reviewer uses an OpticBook 3600 Book Scanner to scan books, but there are many other options available, depending on the needed quality and your budget.
Services in SE Michigan
Ann Arbor offers a few good book scanning services. It’s typically cheaper if you live in the area, but shipping costs can increase the price, depending on how many books are in the order.
U-M Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Scanning Services
Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan
The U-M Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) offers books scanning for those with print-related disabilities.
Bluepoint Document Scanning
Located in Warren, Michigan
Bluepoint scans to many different formats and uses OCR. They service the Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana areas.
Detroit Document Scanning
Located in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Document Scanning scans to many formats and uses OCR.
Data Direction, Inc.
Located in Madison Heights, Michigan
Data Direction, Inc. scans to many formats and uses OCR.
Services outside of Michigan
There are many non-local services for book scanning, but some are costly and others only work with certain formats.
Blue Leaf Book Scanning
Located in St. Louis, Missouri
Although expensive, Blue Leaf is the best rated and reviewed service for book scanning. Their versatile services allow them to convert books to Word documents, PDFs, and eBooks.
Alpha BPO Book Scanning
Various Locations
Alpha BPO offers inexpensive scanning services that convert to many different file types.
Adaptive Technology Resources
Located in Grafton, Wisconsin
The services offered at Adaptive Technology Resources work with the Kurzweil 3000 software.
Golden Images, LLC
Located in House Springs, Missouri
Golden Images converts books to any format needed and uses optical character resolution (OCR) for high-quality scans.
Bound Book Scanning
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Bound Book Scanning is a reasonably-priced service that works particularly well for the eBook format.
Scanning America
Various Locations
Scanning America's high-quality document scanning and imaging services are available at their conversion centers or at your location.
