Company Profile
Learning Ally
Company Overview
Learning Ally is a leading nonprofit ed-tech organization delivering a comprehensive learning solution for struggling readers in elementary, middle and high schools. Our proven solution includes an extensive library of human-read audiobooks that students want and need to read at home and at school, along with a suite of teacher-focused resources that ensure student success. This reading experience helps accelerate learning, enables a new level of access to knowledge and powerfully increases confidence and self-belief.
Today, Learning Ally successfully partners with more than 10,000 U.S. schools, districts and leading state education systems across the country to empower over 240,000 students with improved comprehension, vocabulary, fluency and critical thinking skills. For over 70 years, the organization has helped to transform the lives of struggling readers by bridging the gap between their reading capability and their academic potential to become confident, lifelong learners who thrive in school and beyond.
We are based in Princeton, NJ with offices and team members across the U.S. Join our team to expand our reach and deliver solutions that enable students to become confident, empowered learners.
Company History
We didn’t become the world’s largest provider of audio textbooks and literature overnight. Our history is deeply rooted in making sure everyone — no matter the hurdle — can enjoy and comprehend the printed word.
1940s
1948: It all began with Anne T. Macdonald, who envisioned a service for soldiers who had lost their sight in combat. At the time, the newly passed GI Bill of Rights guaranteed a college education to servicemen. Determined to help soldiers who were blind, Mrs. Macdonald led the New York Public Library’s Women’s Auxiliary to record textbooks on vinyl phonograph discs. The organization Recording for the Blind (RFB) was born.
1950s
1950:Demand was so great that RFB incorporated as the nation’s only nonprofit to record textbooks. Mrs. Macdonald then traveled across the country to establish recording studios in seven additional cities.
1960s
Reel-to-reel tapes, and then cassette tapes, replaced vinyl discs.
1970s
RFB continued to open studio locations across the country.
1980s
1983:The RFB headquarters moved to Princeton, NJ. Operations became computerized, and with the development of high-speed tape duplication, the number of books circulated to our members tripled.
1990s
1990:Electronic text (E-text) provided computer disks for members to use with adaptive computer equipment.
1995:RFB becomes Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), after recognizing the increased membership of individuals with learning disabilities.
1996:RFB&D developed a pilot program for digital recording to ultimately produce textbooks on CD and other multimedia.
2000s
By the 2000s, membership was skyrocketing, as more than 75% of our membership came from individuals with learning disabilities ( from kindergartners to graduate students, as well as working professionals).
2002: RFB&D released DAISY CD (AudioPlus®) digitally recorded textbooks.
2007: RFB&D transitioned to an all-digital Learning Through Listening® Library, and launched the support website at www.LearningThroughListening.org.
2008: RFB&D introduced WMA Downloadable (AudioAccessSM), allowing titles to be downloaded directly to computers and portable media players.
2009: RFB&D introduced Downloadable DAISY (Downloadable AudioPlus®).
2010s
During the 2010s, there has been a strong push to advance the technology surrounding our audiobook library, as well our web-based tools.
2010: RFB&D introduced ReadHear by gh, enabling users to access content on both Mac and Window-based computers.
2011: RFB&D makes content accessible on Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.
2011: RFB&D changes its name to Learning Ally to better represent the full breadth of services and the individuals who are members.
2012: Learning Ally introduces Teacher Ally, a powerful new application that simplifies the use of Learning Ally in schools and allows for better tracking of student performance.
2013: Learning Ally introduces new parent support services and enhances its audiobooks with VOICEtext, which allows highlighted synchronized text to accompany the human narration.
2013: Learning Ally makes content accessible on Android devices.
2013: Learning Ally offers professional development for teachers, to help raise awareness of dyslexia among teachers and administrators, how to recognize it in the classroom, and support it through differentiated instruction and other practical classroom strategies.
2014: Learning Ally launches Link, a new and enhanced playback platform for the PC and Mac.
2015: Learning Ally makes audiobook technology for students with disabilities accessible on Google Chrome platforms.
Learning Ally Launches Spotlight on Dyslexia - National Online Dyslexia Conference for Parents and Teachers.
2016: Learning Ally launches Link for iOS.
Learning Ally Announces College Success Program for Blind and Visually Impaired College Students.
2017: Lexile Level search added as a new feature to the audiobook library. Learning Ally launches Link for Android.
Benefits
Learning Ally offers an excellent benefits package that starts on the first day of the month following your employment date. This includes:
Medical benefits - 100% employee and dependent coverage
Dental & Vision benefits
Short-term and Long-term disabilities benefits
Life insurance benefits
401k Plan - to be implemented
4 weeks PTO per calendar year (includes vacation and sick days)