Overview
Not everyone has the same access to information. People with print disabilities often experience barriers when trying to read traditional print and digital content.
Print disabilities affect approximately 10% of the Canadian population. According to the Copyright Act (section 32), a print disability is a learning, physical or visual disability that impairs a person from reading conventional print.
Alberta public libraries that participate in the Public Library Network have access to resources that respond to the needs of people with print disabilities. Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) funds access to the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) for public libraries. These organizations offer unique, but complementary, services. Additionally, PLSB has dedicated staff that work on accessibility for public libraries and for the Government of Alberta.
Accessibility team
The PLSB accessibility team works on accessibility within the Government of Alberta and in Alberta public libraries. The team provides training on accessible content creation, reviews existing content for accessibility, and remediates inaccessible documents. The goal for the team is to create an accessible reading and information environment.
Accessible library services and resources
National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)
The National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) is a co-operative network building an online digital repository of alternate format material. NNELS offers its users on-demand service. NNELS creates accessible formats of titles upon user request, empowering patrons with print disabilities to make decisions about what and how they read.
Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA)
The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) gives public libraries access to a collection of alternate format titles for provision to library patrons. Available collections include books, magazines and newspapers in the patron's format of choice.
Public Library Accessibility Resource Centre (PLARC)
The Public Library Accessibility Resource Centre (PLARC) and its website, Accessible Libraries, is a collaborative project between:
- the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)
- the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), and
- eBOUND
The goal is to support Canadian libraries and their staff by offering resources and training on a broad range of topics related to accessibility and to further the discussion and awareness of accessibility through presentations, studies, training and advocacy.
Legislation and policy
The Library Service for People with Print Disabilities Operational Policy establishes principles and guidelines for the effective selection of resources to help support Alberta public libraries serve people with print disabilities.
As per the Libraries Regulation, public library boards in Alberta are required to create and implement local policy on ‘Provision of Resources for Those Unable to Use Conventional Print’.