What this program offers

On this page

• Program objectives
• Funding priorities
• Glossary

Program objectives

The Equitable Access to Reading Program aims to increase the production of alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities.

Funding priorities

We may prioritize funding projects that include one or more of the following:

• the production of alternate formats in one or more Indigenous languages
• the production of multiple types (more than one) of alternate format reading materials in hard copy and/or digital alternate formats. For example:
  • embossed Braille
  • electronic braille file or eBrf
  • print-Braille
  • audio
  • DAISY text or audio
  • EPUB3 or accessible PDF
  • large print
• meet the alternate format needs of those in rural, remote, and/or northern locations (ensuring that residents of rural, and/or remote, and/or northern locations have access to the alternate format materials)

Glossary

Here is a list of key terms used within this application guide.

Acquisition

Acquisition is the process of obtaining new alternate format reading titles for the benefit of Canadians with print disabilities. Titles are bought or obtained through international exchanges. Acquired titles are already converted into alternate formats at the time of obtaining.

Alternate formats

Alternate formats are print materials that are changed so that they may be used by people with print disabilities. Examples include:

• braille
• large print
• accessible audio books
• certain digital files (example: EPUB3)
• e-books

Available to all Canadians with print disabilities

In the spirit of the Marrakesh Treaty, all alternate formats produced and acquired within the scope of your project shall be made available to all Canadians with print disabilities. This means, on a non-profit basis, applicants shall make alternate format copies which can be distributed physically or electronically. Where appropriate, applicants are encouraged to increase public awareness of the new formats created through stakeholder communication, library distribution, databases, etc.

Cataloging

The process of creating and keeping information and records in a database owned by a library or other organization. Information or records include:

• books
• periodicals
• sound recordings
• moving images
• cartographic materials
• computer files
• e-resources owned by a library or other organization.

Cataloguing could involve giving descriptive details of reading materials, computer files, electronic resources, etc., based on:

• the name of the creator/author/contributors
• titles
• editions
• publishers
• language
• dates
• a physical description of the material

Cataloguing may also include the subject analysis of the resource and the assignment of classification numbers using schemes such as the Dewey Decimal Classification or providing subject headings.  The catalog may be in tangible hard copy form, such as a card catalog or in electronic form, such as online public access catalog (OPAC). Cataloging is considered an activity related to library services.

Community organizations

Organizations that include, but are not limited to:

• senior's organizations
• community centres in northern and territorial communities
• organizations supporting recent immigrants
• organizations supporting persons living on low income

Distribution

To receive reading materials from, or to send or lend reading materials to other library organizations, publishers and end users (i.e., readers). Distribution includes uploading or downloading electronic text files or audio files onto a:

• reading application or software
• reader device
• audio player

Distribution does not lead to a net increase in the supply of alternate formats in Canada.

Innovation / innovative approaches

Refers to new production methods, such as:

• the creation of a new digitally accessible file
• • the creation of an automated process for converting conventional digital files into accessible digital files (for example, electronic Braille file [eBrf]). Conversion would be on demand and at a low cost to the user using Artificial Intelligence
• improvements to the speed and cost at which alternate formats are produced (such as audiobooks)

Innovative partnerships could include partnerships where multiple not‑for‑profit organizations or small private sector organizations develop a production standard for electronic Braille files in English or French. This would give persons with print disabilities the ability to quickly download electronic versions of Braille books that could be read directly on a refreshable Braille display.

Intersecting identities or “intersectionality”

A term coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Crenshaw, and built upon by other Black feminist scholars. It acknowledges the ways in which people’s experiences are shaped by their multiple and overlapping identities and social locations. It also considers intersecting processes of discrimination, oppression, power, and privilege. Together, these interlocking identities and processes can produce a unique and distinct experience for an individual or group, such as the creation of other barriers or opportunities.

Library services

Library services include:

• registering new patrons
• keeping request lists from patrons
• circulating books, magazines, and other documents to patrons
• making reading recommendations based on a patron's interests
• ensuring that interested patrons receive and return materials
• enforcing rules related to late returns and losses

For this funding process library services that conduct these activities must include maintaining a repository of books through cataloguing activities and interlibrary loans.

North

Any location in the:

• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

Partnership

Any collaboration or network that organizations engage in with individuals or other groups over the course of a funding agreement. Partners need to be active supporters, outside of the applicant organization that has an interest in the success of the organization’s activities. Partners can contribute resources, either in-cash and/or in-kind (for example, time, resources, expertise).

Print disability

A print disability is a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to read print materials. Persons with a print disability include people who have learning, reading, perceptual, physical or visual impairments that make it difficult to read standard print materials.

Production or Production of Alternate Format Materials

The conversion of an original print version of a document into one or more alternate formats, including:

• braille
• large print
• audio
• DAISY text or audio
• fully accessible electronic text such as EPub3, or another format

Producing alternate format materials could include converting an existing print material into a new alternate format or a different type of alternate format in which the original print material doesn't currently exist.

The uploading or downloading of audio files or electronic text files onto devices such as audio players and electronic readers, or reading applications or software, will not be considered production. Making new titles available to Canadians with print disabilities (not requiring the production of a new alternate format product) does not contribute to the minimum target of producing 1,000 titles per $1 million in contribution funding (this is based on the total funding amount, not just the amount to be used towards production).

Print materials

Print materials are items that you can read, such as:

• books
• magazines
• newspapers
• articles

Print materials could include physical hard-copies, or digital text copies. It should be noted that not all digital print materials are accessible to persons with print disabilities.

Racialized persons

A group of people categorized according to ethnic or racial characteristics and subjected to discrimination and racism on that basis.

Remote

A location that is 80 kilometres or more from the nearest established community with a population of at least 1,000 people.

Rural

Population living in towns and municipalities outside the commuting zone of larger urban centres (for example, outside the commuting zone of centres with population of 10,000 or more).

Unit of alternate format material

Refers to a single print material title converted into a single type of alternate format in a single language. If the same print title is converted into multiple alternate formats, or the same alternate format in multiple languages, this stands for multiple units. The following are examples:

• the publication of Pride and Prejudice produced in English Braille. This is one unit
• the publication of Pride and Prejudice produced in English braille, French braille, large print in English, large print in French. This is 4 units
• 20 new literary units produced in DAISY audio. This is 20 units.

2SLGBTQI+

Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex. The symbol "+" stands for the wide spectrum of gender identities, sexual orientations and romantic orientations not explicitly named.

The choice of letters or symbols and the order in which they are presented could differ depending on the context and the audience. Some examples of abbreviations include:

• LGBT
• LGBTI
• LGBTQ
• LGBTQ2
• LGBTQ2S
• LGBTQ2IA
• LGBTQ2IA+
• 2SLGBTQIA+
• 2SLGBTQQIA

When there are 2 "Q"s in the abbreviation, the second "Q" stands for "questioning."