The creation of 420 quality, accessible books in the Soninke and Sénoufo languages of Mali, as well as Malian Sign Language, using SIL's Bloom book creation software.
Project Name
Livres Numériques Pour Nos Enfants au Mali (Digital Books for Our Children in Mali)
Location Implemented
Mali
Technology Used
Software/Apps
Competition Entered
Begin With Books
Reading Skill Targeted
Foundational, Pre-Reading
Status
Winner
Collaborators/Partners
SIL Mali, Mali Association of the Deaf (AMASOURDS), AMALAN, World Vision Mali, Worldreader, the Sénofou-Mamara Language Association, various Soninke Cultural Associations
The Challenge
Most young children in Mali who grow up speaking Soninke or Sénoufo have never seen or read a children's book in their local language. The lack of reading materials in local languages within communities severely limits building a culture of reading for parents, their children, and within schools. These barriers are even higher for the most vulnerable children in Mali, including girls and those with disabilities, who are often marginalized within the school systems.
The Big Idea
SIL LEAD will develop 200 quality, accessible books in the Soninke and Sénoufo languages of Mali, for a total of 400 books. The nonprofit also will add Malian Sign Language to 20 selected titles. All titles will be adapted or created using SIL’s Bloom software, funded through ACR GCD’s Enabling Writers prize, to capitalize on the software’s decodable, leveled, accessible and sign language tools.
Featured Innovation
Bloom
Bloom software makes it easy to create children's books and translate them into multiple languages, or create accessible and sign language books.
Blogs and Media
News Byte // December 20, 2022ACR GCD featured in Global Book Alliance’s Partner Spotlight Series
Research and Resources
Literacy and Learning Without Limits: The Tools You Need to Ensure Children with Disabilities are Included in Your Reading Programs
Learn about open source resources like book creation software, online libraries, books, reading assessments and more, developed by winners of the All Children Reading Grand Challenge.Book Boost: Tools for Accessible Publishing
Learn how to use free resources for creating accessible books for children with disabilities.
Connect with the Innovator
