FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government has entered a partnership with the Centre for Equitable Library Access to provide library services and materials to individuals with print disabilities.

“Our government is committed to providing equitable services to all New Brunswickers and today's funding announcement of $92,000 builds on that commitment by adding to our growing services for persons with disabilities,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Jody Carr. “Our partnership with the centre enables our patrons to access the world's largest online library of accessible books.”

The Centre of Equitable Library Access is a new, national non-profit organization established by Canadian public libraries. It provides services to libraries to enable them to serve patrons who have a visual, learning or physical disability that prevents them from reading conventional print.

The organization officially launched its service last week and offers:

●    a broad choice of formats including audio, braille, e-braille, e-text and described video;
●    access to a growing collection of more than 230,000 alternate-format items including books, magazines, newspapers and described videos;
●    access to Bookshare, the world's largest online library of accessible reading materials that can be downloaded to a computer, mobile device such as a smartphone and tablet, or braille displays;
●    a broad selection of genres including: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children's, young adult, business, and self-help;
●    a choice of delivery options: direct download to computer, handheld devices and DAISY player; CD and braille mailed to home;
●    public library support for community outreach and summer reading program;
●    training and expertise on accessibility for public libraries; and
●    bilingual collections and service.

An estimated 75,000 New Brunswickers have a print disability. This could be a learning, physical or visual disability that prevents them from reading conventional print. For these individuals, access to reading materials in alternative formats like audio, braille and described video is often a challenge. Research shows that access to a broad range of reading materials has a direct and positive impact on a child's success in school and in life.

“Literacy and learning is at the core of supporting people, skills and jobs, which is why we have invested in making it possible for New Brunswickers to gain easy access to a wealth of reading materials, in formats of their choice, right in their own communities through their local public library,” said Carr. “This initiative also complements our recent investment in adaptable workstations for every library in the province.”

LINKS:

●    New Brunswick Public Library Service

●    The Centre for Equitable Library Access

11-06-14