Question Period Note: Funding to support persons with print disabilities

How is the Government of Canada supporting services that ensure equitable access to reading and other published works for Canadians with print disabilities?

• Access to alternate format reading materials is critical for persons with print disabilities to fully participate in society.
• That is why the Government invested $25 million over 5 years in Budget 2022 to improve access to alternate formats.
• This funding is part of early investments under the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and will support:
o the Centre for Equitable Library Access and National Network for Library Services in producing alternate formats;
o research into the gaps in availability of alternate formats; and,
o a new Equitable Access to Reading Program beginning in 2024-2025.

• It builds on a history of investments, including:
o providing over $25 million since 2015 for the production of alternate formats;
o acceding to the Marrakesh Treaty in 2016 to increase imports and exports of accessible print materials; and,
o providing $22.8 million over 5 years in Budget 2019 for the Transition Strategy for the Production of Alternate Format Books.

Funding History – CNIB, Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS)

Since 2015-2016, the Government has provided over $25 million in funding for the production of alternate format materials. CELA and its partner organization, the CNIB Foundation, as well as NNELS, have received funding to ensure that persons with disabilities have accessible materials available to them through public libraries.

The Marrakesh Treaty

In 2016, Canada joined the Marrakesh Treaty. The Treaty’s objective is to increase opportunities to import and export accessible versions of print materials, while continuing to protect authors’ rights.

The Transition Strategy for the Production of Alternate Format Books

Budget 2019, announced $22.8 million over five years for the Transition Strategy for the Production of Alternate Format Books.

To further support the Strategy, the Fall Economic Statement 2020 announced $10 million in transitional funding to support the not-for-profit sector. This funding is enabling access to alternate formats while Canada’s independent book publishing industry continues to increase the production of accessible books. This funding is also supporting Canadians with print disabilities in developing skills to use new digital tools.

In 2021-2022, the Government announced $1 million for CELA and NNELS to recognize the profound effect of the pandemic and the significant need for access to print materials as individuals are more isolated.

Budget 2022

Budget 2022 committed $25 million over five years to improve access to alternate format print materials. This funding includes:
• $5 million between 2022 and 2024 to the Centre for Equitable Library Access and National Network for Equitable Library Services to support the production of alternative formats;
• $500,000 for research to better understand gaps in availability of alternate formats; and,
• almost $7 million a year beginning in 2024-2025 for a new Equitable Access to Reading Program.

None