August 31, 2016

(The following are detailed notes from the CCB and AEBC National Call which took place on July 27, 2016)

Dear program supporters,

On July 27, 2016, we held the national conference call regarding library services. The national call was sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind’s Get Together with Technology Program (GTT) and AEBC’s Accessible Information and Copyright Committee

The topic was “Canadian Library Services: Who provides it, what do they provide, how does it work and what does the future look like?” Leo Bissonnette, AEBC National Board Member and Albert Ruel, GTT Coordinator, acted as moderators and Kim Kilpatrick, GTT Coordinator, assisted with the question and answer sessions and other logistical details.

Approximately 30 Participating callers heard presentations from representatives of the Center for Equitable Library Access’, Michael Ciccone and Margaret Williams, and from the National Network for Equitable Library Services’ we had Sabina Iseli-Otto presenting.

This document contains the CELA notes from the presenters and the notes from the questions asked by callers. A separate document lists the NNELS presentation and responses.

We thank all those who presented and participated on the call. We hope you will find this document helpful.

##Canadian Library Services: Who provides it, what do they provide, how does it work and what does the future look like?
Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 7:00 until 8:30 PM

##CELA Presentation Related to Committee Questions
Presenting on behalf of CELA, Michael Ciccone, Executive Director
michael.ciccone@celalibrary.ca, 905-320-5144, and
Margaret Williams, Director of Content & Access
margaret.williams@celalibrary.ca, 416-486-2500, X7632
If you are interested in joining our Consumer Advisory group, please email Karen McKay, CELA Communications Manager at karen.mckay@celalibrary.ca
CELA Contact Information
Phone: 1-855-655-2273
Helpline email: help@celalibrary.ca

What is CELA?
CELA is a national not-for-profit organization run by public libraries for public libraries. Its mission is to support public libraries in providing accessible collections for Canadians with print disabilities and to champion the fundamental right of Canadians with print disabilities to access media and reading materials in the format of their choice.
How and why was CELA created, and what are its operating and funding structures?
In 2008, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) was asked to develop a strategy for implementing nation-wide partnerships, activities and services to meet the long-term library and information access needs of Canadians with print disabilities. It became known as the Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA).
Recommendations were put forth, including the creation of an arm’s-length “hub,” seen by the majority of stakeholders as the preferred means of providing alternative format content for delivery to end-users through Canada’s public libraries. In mid-2011, LAC announced that it would not be directly involved in the implementation process. Instead, LAC tasked CNIB to continue multi-stakeholder consultation, funded by a federal grant. CNIB completed this work with its presentation of a proposal for a publicly funded National Digital Hub in its March 2012 report, Reading Re-Imagined.
CNIB began discussing Reading Re-Imagined with stakeholders across the country in the spring of 2012, including representatives from the Canadian Urban Libraries Council or CULC. CULC member libraries represent communities or regions with a population of 100,000 or more. They represent libraries in large cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, and regional library systems that represent a collection of smaller libraries, such as the Wood Buffalo Region in Alberta and the New Brunswick Public Library Service.
In the ensuing discussions, CULC members found the Hub model to be in line with the original vision for IELA and reaffirmed that the provision of these services be the responsibility of the public sector and not a charitable organization. In the Spring of 2013, the joint CULC-CNIB Working Group published a paper that proposed a national not-for-profit organization governed by public libraries that, in partnership with CNIB and other organizations, would acquire, produce and distribute alternative format materials through public libraries. The result was the establishment of CELA as an independent, federally incorporated not-for-profit organization in the late fall of 2013. In essence, CELA was designed to leverage both the existing and growing CNIB Library collection and its supporting infrastructure, and the existing public library infrastructure to engage the print-disabled community and facilitate the delivery of accessible materials.
CELA services were officially launched on April 1, 2014, inheriting services previously provided by CNIB Library and expanding it to include those with physical or learning disabilities. To cause as little disruption as possible to existing CNIB Library clients, some CNIB Library functionality continued in parallel to CELA, but all CNIB Library services related to the delivery of accessible materials were discontinued last year. All former CNIB Library clients who signed up for service before the launch of CELA are considered patrons of CELA. No action is required on their part. The transfer is automatic.
Where does CELA stop and CNIB begin in the CELA Library model?
CNIB continues as CELA’s partner in the production and distribution of accessible materials and as a trusted intermediary for the sharing of materials across borders. They provide other contracted support services, such as IT, but progress is being made in shifting these responsibilities to CELA.
Does it have its own Board of Directors, and to whom does it report?
CELA is an independent, federally incorporated not-for-profit, governed by a 9-member board comprising staff from public libraries or provincial organizations that represent public libraries. Representation ranges geographically from New Brunswick to British Columbia and organizationally from CEOs to front-line staff.
How is CELA’s distribution service funded?
Funding for CELA service is provided by the governments of Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories, and by CULC member libraries and other libraries that subscribe to our service with their own funds. We are very grateful for the support of these organizations.
Tasks performed by CNIB on behalf of CELA are supported by a combination of government funding and private donations. The cost of distribution is covered by the “Literature for the Blind” service though Canada Post.
In addition, we have an in-kind agreement with the BAnQ (Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec) to provide CELA service to patrons in Quebec in exchange for making their materials in French from SQLA (Service Québecois du livre adapté) available to CELA users across Canada. We will be making an announcement that includes information on how to access these materials soon.
Who produces the end product?
CNIB has produced the majority of our original content to date. It also prepares content from other sources such as commercial audio publishers and other libraries serving people with print disabilities for distribution. The rest comes from Bookshare.
How is the production of accessible Library products funded?
A combination of government funding and private donations.
Who owns the collection?
CNIB owns the collection prior to April 1, 2014. Any material produced after is jointly owned by CELA and CNIB.
Can CELA Library users become voting members?
We do not have an open membership structure at this time, but we receive input and guidance from several operational advisory committees comprising front line staff at member libraries and chaired by CELA Board Members. We also actively seek input from both library staff and patrons in our webinars and at tradeshows, and we are currently in the process of building our consumer advisory group. All of these inputs feed the Board in its decision-making.
What are the range of CELA services, and to whom are they targeted?
With their account, patrons have access to:
• The CELA Collection of close to 100,000 books and major magazines, available in the accessible format of the patron’s choice
• Our newsstand, providing access to 50 local and national newspapers in a fully accessible HTML format
• Free access to Bookshare, a US-based accessible online library for people with print disabilities offering over 280,000 titles
• An elaborate profiling system to allow for automatic delivery of materials. Patrons select reading genres and CELA’s library system automatically selects titles and distributes them to patrons on a patron-selected schedule
• CELA Helpline Reader’s Advisory Services and support for library patrons
• A Monthly Bilingual newsletter “Open Book”, which contains sections on
• New & Notable Books
• Kids & Teens
• Focus On segment
• Top Five for the month
• Support for participating in library programs – this year CELA offered an accessible version of the TD Summer Reading Club activity notebook through the 2,000 libraries across Canada that participate in the club, including non-member libraries
Who does CELA serve, children, young adults, post-secondary students, working adults, seniors?
The CELA collection is similar in scope to a public library with a full range of subjects and genres to reach all ages. As a national organization, we are especially proud to focus on Canadian titles in English and French and First Nations literature. We also have a substantive disabilities collection. By working with CNIB we have access to a collection developed over many years, which means – just as an example – we can instantly provide a reading list of works on topics in the news or titles by an author who passes away. We also have thousands of books from other producers, including commercial audio publishers and libraries serving people with print disabilities around the world.
Since taking stewardship of CNIB’s collection, CELA has put new emphasis on:
• Expanding access to bestsellers from audio publishers
• Making books available more quickly by working with the organizers of awards and reading programs
• The DAISY text format, to better support the needs of people with learning disabilities, people using braille displays or people who simply appreciate access to the full text to interpret themselves rather than through the eyes of a narrator
• Shortening production times overall for materials from CNIB.
What is the future of current CELA delivery options including, home delivery, and computer and Direct to Player downloads?
CELA offers materials in audio, braille and e-text. Almost the entire collection is digital and available for download and use with popular reading devices such as the Victor Stream as well as apps for iOS and Android. We also offer physical materials, including DAISY audio on CD, braille and printbraille books and described videos.
At this time, DAISY CDs represent almost 70% of use, and we strongly believe that CELA service should be inclusive. We will not leave people behind because they don’t have the necessary Internet access, equipment or comfort level to use online services. At the same time, we’re looking for ways to move users to our Direct to Player service, as the CD format itself is becoming obsolete and costs are rising despite a remarkably efficient system for distributing CDs on demand (we send and receive 3,000 to 5,000 a day).
How do I start using my public library’s CELA service?
To start, you need a library card and then to register with CELA. The process for registering with CELA is relatively straightforward. The patron is either referred to the local library, actively pursued by the library through outreach initiatives, or the patron simply drops in to or calls their local library. Some libraries may require you to visit in person to obtain a library card, but if that isn’t possible we advocate with the library to revisit this policy. If services for those with print disabilities are requested, CELA is mentioned as an option. The library issues a card to the patron and, if need be, assists the patron in registering for CELA. There is a self-registration option as well. The patron is then notified by CELA when their account is ready to be used.
What services and supports can CELA Library users expect when attending their local public libraries?
Our ultimate goal is to provide excellent public library service to Canadians with print disabilities. CELA may fill a patron’s service need or the patron could very well discover that their local library offers any number of available collections, programs or services. We encourage libraries to think locally when they engage with a patron with a print disability. We’d love it if all qualified patrons joined and used CELA, but first and foremost, we’re ecstatic that they’re using a public library. We are a public library-run organization and nothing makes a public librarian happier than a contented patron.
How do I return a book/magazine when I’m done, and when does it expire?
If you download materials from the website, you don’t need to return them. We ask you to delete the files when you have finished reading them to help control the risk of misuse. If you use our Direct to Player service, you can return an item at any time through your DAISY player or our Direct to Player app. For physical materials, all books and described videos need to be returned through Canada Post. Magazine CDs do not. Special arrangements have been made with Canada Post so that any materials returned in our yellow CD envelopes or braille bags are handled at no cost to you. Just ensure that you return CDs with the silver side and tactile ridge showing through the plastic window so Canada Post knows to return it to our distribution centre rather than deliver it back to you. Braille and described movies are similar – flip the address card in the plastic pocket of the braille bag over (the hole in the card should be in the lower right corner) so it comes back to us.
What are the main print disabilities besides vision loss?
Print disabilities are defined as visual, physical or learning disabilities that make holding and reading conventional books a challenge.
Where is CELA’s library service available in Canada, and where is it not available?
CELA is available to all qualified residents of Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. In addition, through individual library subscriptions (libraries that opted to subscribe to CELA, although their province did not fund it), we cover 62% of British Columbia and 60% of Manitoba. We are not available in Yukon, Nunavut, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, although we continue to support former CNIB Library clients in all areas, regardless of funding.
Our member libraries serve 90% of the total population of Canada.
How can people living in Quebec and other unserved regions of Canada take advantage of CELA services?
We will work with any qualified patron to get them a library card so that they can use the service.
What is the current state of the Direct to Player smart phone app, and what development plans exist going forward?
Will Direct to Player services be developed for other devices, and will the known bugs be fixed in the near future?
Our Direct to Player service, for anyone who isn’t familiar with it, is a simple-to-use option that lets you stream or download books on your DAISY player, iOS or Android device without having to use a computer and transfer files. A fully integrated version of Direct to Player, that responds to user requests for greater stability, search integration and full text support, is one of our highest priorities. However, the current app will not be developed further, as the vendor has decided to no longer support and enhance it. We’re looking at options currently on the market.
Why can’t I backup Direct to Player books to my SD Card on the VR and Plextalk devices?
This is one method of managing the risk of someone sharing files produced under the copyright exception with non-eligible persons, advertently or inadvertently (e.g. sharing a computer or memory stick with family members). For now, this approach is an affordable compromise for publishers who have signed content agreements and who have concerns about the lack of Digital Rights Management on files we provide to patrons. We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience for our users and we are keeping an open mind to alternatives that would meet both security and user needs.

What is BookShare and how does it fit into the CELA range of services?
How can users take advantage of BookShare?
Once you’ve registered for CELA service, you’re eligible for a free Bookshare membership (normally $50 US a year). Educators and their students with print disabilities are also eligible for free access to Bookshare through CELA. Because of its agreements with publishers, Bookshare has a separate and stricter sign up process to CELA that requires you to submit written proof of disability. We are working with Bookshare on trying to simplify the registration process for our users. If you need assistance, please contact our Helpline.
What are the copyright access limitations when accessing non-Canadian titles?
Limitations are set by the publishers. Some non-Canadian publishers allow access to their titles and some do not. Canadian users will see only the titles available in Canada.
How will the Marrakesh treaty and Canada’s altered Copyright Laws affect our access to alternate Library products?
As you may know, on June 30 Canada became the 20th country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty, the magic number required for the treaty to be put into force. The official date for enactment is September 30, 2016.
The Treaty will have an enormous impact on providing access to a greater number and broader range of titles – particularly titles in languages that reflect Canada’s diversity. However, it will take time. Canada’s copyright laws already permitted the import and export of alternate formats prior to signing the Marrakesh Treaty. The pertinent questions for Canadians are when will other countries ratify and how will the Treaty be implemented in each country.
CELA already obtains materials from international producers that participate in the Book Exchange of the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) – including the National Library Service in the U.S. The Book Exchange is an integrated catalogue and file exchange system of works available through major alternate format producers in 14 countries, and rapidly expanding in response to Marrakesh. The system handles both free exchange between ratified countries and a permissions clearance process between countries that haven’t yet ratified. The Book Exchange catalogue isn’t available publicly yet. We ran a small pilot with users and determined that more work is required to support searching and turn-around time for requests. For now, the Book Exchange is one source we automatically check when someone requests a book we don’t have.

##QUESTIONS FROM CALLERS FOR Michael/Margret and CELA:
The questioner described his experience where had problems getting a book. It pertained to BC. He described how he had called the Vancouver Library and was told that the book he wanted was available through CELA, but was then told that because he lived in the Fraser Valley he was told that he was not eligible to borrow that book. This was because the Fraser Valley Regional Library is not a member of CELA. The caller went on to indicate that he has been a lifetime member of CNIB Library. So the caller asked: As a member of the CNIB Library would I be able to join CELA, even though I don’t live in CELA’s coverage area here in the Phraser Valley?
ANSWER:
Michael answered that he should have been served and Michael urged the caller to give and they will follow up on that specific matter….
QUESTION:
Can I go to a public library in Toronto and use both CELA and CNIB services?
ANSWER:
There is no CNIB Library any more. When you go to your local public library, ask about CELA service. You may also want to ask about other services for those with disabilities that your local library offers.
QUESTION:
Asking about Quebec services and CNIB clients, are CNIB Quebec clients automatically registered with CELA?
ANSWER:
That will indeed be the case moving forward.
QUESTION:
As a follow up regarding Quebec, is there a specific contact person at CNIB Offices in Montreal to help people become registered with the Quebec National Library?
ANSWER:
We will be announcing shortly how this will work and we will also be communicating with the offices of CNIB in Quebec about how to offer support to their clients. We will not include it in our set of notes that we will send you, but will follow up when we have the announcement ready to go out.

QUESTION :
With reference to the Direct to Player APP and the comment that there will no longer be support for the APP in the future, will there be notification given or will the APP be updated? Will we see that on our iOS devices in the APP?
ANSWER:
Yes you will. Just to clarify, the vendor of the APP, which is a not-for-profit organization, has decided that the APP is no longer part of their core business. They have agreed to maintain the APP for a certain time until we find a solution. So, you may very well see updates in the app moving forward. We will not be adding any new features.
Several callers made comments: Callers reported problems on the iOS side and many are deciding not to use it at this time. The APP works very efficiently on devices such as the Victor Stream Second Generation and PlexTalk devices.
A comment was made about the promising APP coming out of Vision Australia. The hope is that a similar APP will be developed to provide good access for both iOS and Android users in the future….
We are looking at products currently on the market, including developments by our international partners. Availability for both iOS and Android is a requirement.
QUESTION:
Can you talk about the efforts to coordinate all these various libraries in the country?
And following up on the earlier question about access in the Fraser Valley issue—where you are a CNIB client living in an area where your library is not a member of CELA, what are your options?
ANSWER:
We have a system for non-member referrals because we still get many referrals from CNIB. We still let people know about the various library services available, including NNELS. We try—especially in BC and Manitoba—to get people services within the framework of our funding.
In terms of leadership, the two most prominant national organizations are Library Archives Canada and the Canadian Library Association. Several years ago, Library and Archives led consultations but announced that it would not be involved in implementing a solution. The Canadian Library Association recently folded. It officially dissolved in June of 2016. In its place is something called the Canadian Federation of for Library Associations and we are really hoping that that organization will be able to provide some leadership on a national level.

In terms of the funding question, we are funded by New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. We have an agreement in place with Quebec. We are also funded by large public libraries and regional systems such as the Winnipeg Public Library, the Edmonton Public Library, the Calgary Public Library and 14 libraries in BC. Altogether, our member libraries serve 90% of the Canadian population.
QUESTION:
The caller starts his question by indicating that he is still having difficulty understanding the CELA structure. The caller says that CNIB is a private charity. Is CELA also a private charity funded by the provinces and libraries?
ANSWER:
We are a publicly funded not-for-profit organization. We are essentially taking on the role that CNIB Library had in the past and we have expanded it to include all persons with print disabilities. We are supported by provinces and public libraries.
QUESTION:
Where do you see accessible formats going and where will they be in five years from now?
ANSWER:
Really, we should always be in a temporary stage. Alternative format production should not really have to exist with the exception of some very specialized requirements for things that mainstream publishers realistically are never able to afford to do. It’s not realistic and affordable to describe every illustration in detail and so on in a book. The Accessible Books Consortium is actually much larger than a Book Exchange. One of its main initiatives is working with publishers on an inclusive publishing movement. What is being worked on right now is actually some baseline discussions for publishers to say “what is an accessible book?” We all talk about it. How does, for example, Random House know that what they produce is going to be at an acceptable level. And once those guidelines are out—which are coming out quite soon—that will be when we have a baseline and that will also help determine when is it that alternative format production is required over and above something that a mainstream publisher can do.. So, really you should be able to go to your public library and just access the services that that are there.
The other thing that is always very much of a challenge gets into dealing with materials in services like OverDrive. They tend to be accessible with help from people. We want to have these products fully accessible or at least an alternative offered that a user can handle independently. That’s one of the keys to have for fully accessible library services moving forward. If you are able to access the resources just as anyone else would—that is, find them on your own and use them on your own—that’s the goal.
The reality is that products like OverDrive for our clients is really not the main focus for these vendors. They do sometimes employ people who understand access, but there’s no consistency here. So, products evolve and accessibility is good sometimes and not good at other times.QUESTION:
QUESTION:
For clients who have the Stratus Players, going back to the days when they signed up under CNIB, what do they have to do—if anything at all?
ANSWER:
The simple answer is nothing. Everything is done for those who are using older players.. The only thing that clients have to do is instead of going to the CNIB Library website they need to go to the CELA Library Website. And even very soon, it will be an automatic redirect. Any books in your CNIB bookshelf will automatically be there under CELA. So there is nothing to do or be concerned about.
One of the things that really helped in the transition is that CELA started with what CNIB had in place so for users the switchover was easier to accomplish.
QUESTION:
The caller started his question by saying that it was his understanding that CELA is still housed in the CNIB building. Is there an openness to changing your location? and also, when the caller talked about his use of the website last winter, it would say CELA on the main screen and then when on a book screen it would say “CNIB”. What’s going to happen there?
ANSWER:
This issue of CELA and CNIB titles on screens is being worked on and will be soon all CELA in terms of branding.
The CDS will also be rebranded….so the process is under way.
In terms of housing, we are presently in the CNIB building on Bayview—along with other organizations that support those with print disabilities. Will we move out? Probably eventually. There is some disentangling to do and that will take some time to do. Both CNIB and CELA want that and we are working towards that.
QUESTION:
About Braille books, A caller indicated that he still receives quarterly notifications about braille books acquired. Will this continue in the future?
ANSWER:
This will continue. There will be rebranding happening here as well.
QUESTION:
With the Orbit coming out, will there be a possibility to receive books on SD cards? And, also on any APP that you develop, will there be the possibility to download and read books in braille
ANSWER:
At this time there is no plan to send SD cards but we’ve taken note of the service implications of the Orbit. For the APP, we are looking at products that support more formats than the current one does, including output to a braille display.
QUESTION:
Back to the structure of CELA, it was mentioned that CELA is a not-for-profit independent hub that is built upon various organizations providing library services. Does it have a fundraising arm like some university and public libraries have?
ANSWER:
CELA has put in one funding request for DAISY players in libraries which was denied. We are not there yet. It’s a not-for-profit. There are some questions about how to deal with fund raising and CELA is not there yet in terms of doing public fund raising as some do. We don’t want to rely on charitable donations for our service model, because that would defeat the premise of library services for those with print disabilities being publicly funded . So we need to be careful moving forward that we are in the right position around funding. If we seek private funding, it would be for peripheral projects to help augment the experience for our users (e.g. purchasing devices for libraries to circulate).
CNIB still does exist for its clients and may choose to fundraise for services that its clients find beneficial. That is a decision for CNIB and its clients.
##Using Voice Dream Reader with Bookshare.
Prepared by: Kim Kilpatrick
As a CELA library client, you are eligible to receive Bookshare services.
Once you have a Bookshare account and the app Voice Dream Reader, here is how to get Bookshare books into Voice Dream and how to read them.
In the app Voice Dream Reader, go to Settings, Content Sources, and make sure you have logged in with your Bookshare account.
Now go back to your File list. Under Add, go to Bookshare.
You will then be placed in a list of ways to search Bookshare. Title, author, ISBN, or Full Text.
Select one of these and type in a search term or go to the list below that to find most recent, most popular, and books by subject, or your browsing history with Bookshare.
When you find a book you want, press Download.
It should load it into Voice Dream and you can find it in your list.
Once you open a book, you can listen to it with the app. If you have an electronic braille display, you can read it in braille. To do this find the text in the middle of the screen and start scrolling.
If you decide to continue reading using audio, you can press play and it will begin being read in audio.
##Presenter CONTACTS
##Center for Equitable Library Access
• CELA Contact Information:
Phone: 1-855-655-2273
Helpline email: help@celalibrary.ca
Michael Ciccone, Executive Director
michael.ciccone@celalibrary.ca, 905-320-5144
Margaret Williams, Director of Content & Access
margaret.williams@celalibrary.ca, 416-486-2500, X7632
If you are interested in joining our Consumer Advisory group, please email Karen McKay, CELA Communications Manager at karen.mckay@celalibrary.ca
##What is CCB and GTT?
##The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization.
The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments. CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.
The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age.
As the largest membership organization for the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the “Voice of the Blind™”.

GTT was started in Ottawa in 2011 by Kim Kilpatrick and Ellen Goodman to give people a chance to share low and high-tech solutions, tips, and resources, and was soon brought under the CCB National umbrella as another consumer driven service and participation initiative. Through GTT you can learn from and discuss assistive technology with others walking the same path of discovery.
The group is made up of blindness related assistive technology users, and those who have an interest in using assistive technology designed to help blind and vision impaired people level the playing field. The GTT group meets monthly to share their passions for assistive technology and to learn what others can offer from their individual perspectives.
For more information about GTT contact: Kim Kilpatrick at GTTProgram@Gmail.com, 1-613-567-0311,513, or Albert A. Ruel at GTTWest@CCBNational.net 1-613-567-0311,550.
##What is AEBC?
AEBC is a national grassroots, peer support organization that is comprised of Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted and our supporters from the public at large. Our membership is comprised of a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, educational achievements, life experiences, professional and nonprofessional occupations. These members work to ensure AEBC has a voice on all matters affecting participation in Canada’s mainstream society.


AEBC’s individual and collective advocacy efforts have been successful across Canada for almost twenty-five years and have spurred innovation in the private sector. This advocacy has resulted in many advancements and opportunities now available to blind Canadians in the mainstream of our society. In fact, most of the successful innovations with respect to information, communication and technology have taken place as a direct result of our members. They have acted individually and collectively, identifying and challenging Governments and other regulated organizations to make websites, banking machines, personal financial and healthcare information available in accessible formats for people unable to read standard print independently, confidentially and securely.

For more information about AEBC contact: Marcia Yale, National Secretary at Info@BlindCanadians.ca, or 1-800-561-4774.

August 31, 2016

(The following are detailed notes from the CCB and AEBC National Call which took place on July 27, 2016)

Dear program supporters,

On July 27, 2016, we held the national conference call regarding library services. The national conference call was sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind’s Get Together with Technology Program (GTT) and AEBC’s Accessible Information and Copyright Committee

The topic of the call was “Canadian Library Services: Who provides it, what do they provide, how does it work and what does the future look like?” Mr. Leo Bissonnette, AEBC National Board Member, and Mr. Albert Ruel, GTT Coordinator, acted as moderators and Kim Kilpatrick, GTT Coordinator, assisted with the question and answer sessions and other logistical details.

During the call, approximately 30 participating listeners heard presentations from representatives of the Center for Equitable Library Access’, Michael Ciccone and Margaret Williams, as well as from the National Network for Equitable Library Services’ we had Sabina Iseli-Otto presenting.

This document contains the NNELS notes from the presenters and the notes from the questions asked by callers. A separate document exists listing the CELA presentation and responses.

We thank all of those who presented and participated on the call.
We hope you will find this document helpful.

##Canadian Library Services: Who provides it, what do they provide, how does it work and what does the future look like?
Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 7:00 until 8:30 PM

##NNELS Presentation Related to Committee Questions
Presenting on behalf of NNELS: Sabina Iseli-Otto, Public Services Librarian. Sabina can be reached at NNELS by e-mail at:
support@nnels.ca or by phone at: 1-888-848-9250, option 5. This information is also on every page of the website at http://www.NNELS.CA.

Questions/ Answers

What is NNELS?

There are two ways we generally talk about what we do:

First off, that we are a team of sharing people who build and maintain an online collection of books in accessible formats that are available through public libraries in participating provinces and territories.

Secondly, we are a service of public libraries. We complement existing library collections and work with library staff to make all library services more accessible.

More officially, NNELS supports independent readers and equitable library service for all Canadians. Lead by eight provincial and territorial governments and their departments responsible for public library service, NNELS and libraries leverage both existing expertise in Canadian accessible format production and public technology infrastructure. NNELS also recognizes regional variations in capacity and consumer service needs to ensure every participating community can make the most of the shared resources and collection.

How and why was NNELS created, and what are its operating and funding structures?

Arguably, NNELS began with IELA, the Initiative for Equitable Library Access, which was a Library and Archives Canada attempt to address the needs for (a) an internet portal, (b) library standards and training, and (c) an electronic clearinghouse, or collection.

In 2010, provinces that participated in the CNIB’s Partners program were, without warning, invoiced large amounts of money for access to that program. In one province, the bill was $1000 one year, and then $350,000 the next. Provinces that didn’t pay were cut off from access to the CNIB collection. Consequently, the CNIB was seen as an unreliable partner by some of the directors of the Provincial and Territorial Public Library Council.

As for the “how”, those provincial and territorial library directors decided to test a precursor to NNELS as a proof of concept — to see if the technology could work. They wanted to test book storage and the online delivery of books to valid library cardholders. The idea was that almost all Canadians have access to a public library, and public libraries have a provincial and territorial mandate to be open to all. These ideas were underscored by a growing understanding (and sometimes legislation) that accessible information was a responsibility that public libraries needed to take seriously, and not offload onto a third party.

Now for the operating and funding structures.

NNELS is funded entirely by participating provincial and territorial governments. NNELS is not a separate organization. We take direction from the provincial and territorial Funding Partners, and every year funding from those partners goes to the BC Libraries Co-op, the service partner (which actually has members from across Canada despite having BC in its name).

When it comes to decision-making, input comes from many places: public libraries, readers like yourself, our staff, even readers’ friends and family members. Ultimately, the Funding Partners make the decisions, but because everyone is clear on the vision, which is making public library services and collections accessible to everyone, we are all working together and moving in the same direction.

How is NNELS’s distribution service funded?

It depends on what a reader needs. For some, the distribution is the download and that does not require anything beyond the download itself. For readers who need discs, provinces and libraries decide what to do. Some provinces fund libraries to perform tasks such as burning DAISY discs for the libraries in a region. There is one very small, rural library in Alberta that downloads dozens of books a month for a few people.

Basically, if a reader needs a book, and that book is in NNELS, most libraries can get it to the reader on the same day, so long as the library’s open, at no charge to the reader – same as any other library books.

How is the end product produced and acquired?

Assuming that the end product is an accessible-format book, we purchase them, we produce them, we convert them from older formats such as reels and cassettes, we have volunteers who record them, and we obtain them through exchange from other accessible format producers, including the Crane Library’s collection from UBC and through the Commonwealth Braille and Talking Book Cooperative.

Furthermore, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia have both negotiated e-book deals that include copies coming to NNELS. This past April, Alberta announced that they had purchased 1,000 books for NNELS through an agreement with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.

How is the production and acquisition of accessible Library products funded?

Production and acquisition are part of the provincial and territorial funding. A portion of every province and territory’s contribution goes into a content budget every year, and that budget is managed by our Content Coordinator. Reader requests are given highest priority. Sometimes provinces contribute additional funds for specific projects — for example, Saskatchewan has helped with the production of many Summer Reading Club titles, as well as many Saskatchewan Book Award winners and nominees, and more.

 
Who owns the collection?

The provinces and territories that are building it. If any of the participating jurisdictions withdraw from NNELS, or if the lights go out on the service altogether, those provinces and territories would still have access to the collection they helped build. The books themselves are housed on servers owned by the Co-op, which is made up of libraries, most of which have boards made up of community members.

Can NNELS Library users become decision makers, and if so how?

I’m going to interpret this question as being about how people can contribute to NNELS:

We’re very receptive and responsive to feedback, and are always looking for more. You can contribute directly to the collection by producing or recording books, for example, or, if you’re an author, sending us a copy of your book. It’s helpful when people report books that have problems – that’s true for any library. Letters of support, to us, to your library, or to provincial governments, are always welcome.

One specific way you can be decision-makers is by speaking with staff at your library, and, depending on your community, joining a library board and helping shape library service locally. This can sometimes have a huge impact.

Lastly, a number of people and organizations have done things that have helped themselves become decision-makers along the way. CCB and AEBC are two such organizations. We have seen some extraordinary leadership on public policy and access from the Canadian Federation of the Blind, and the Vision Impaired Resource Network’s pioneering work with peer mentorship programs have become the model to emulate in many libraries.

When it comes to accessible library service, becoming a decision-maker is relatively easy. Find some people you would like to work with, pitch in where you see a need, and stand up for access wherever you live.

Who does NNELS serve? Children, young adults, post-secondary students, working adults, seniors?

Anyone with a print disability as defined by the Copyright Act which includes people of all ages with impairments related to vision, mobility, and cognition that prevent them from being able to read a book in standard print format is our target demographic. At this time, we only accept production requests from public library patrons; we cannot accept requests from academic institutions or schools at this time. Collections for all audiences are growing constantly. For example, we recently received a grant to purchase books for older children and young adults.

What are the current NNELS delivery options: home delivery, computer, and Direct to Player downloads?

Any eligible user (or friends or family) can download books directly from NNELS with a valid library card. Direct-to-Player downloads are not enabled yet, but we are working on an API which would make that possible for those who rely on getting books that way.

For now, people or libraries can download books to computer, burn discs, use flash drives or SD cards, or download directly to an iOS or Android device using the Voice Dream app. If you do not know how to get books onto your device, we can almost certainly help. There is almost always a way.

In-person delivery depends on the services offered by local libraries. Most public libraries do a lot for people, especially for those who read books.

How do I start using my public library’s NNELS service?

If you live in a participating province or territory, talk to someone at your library. If the staff there do not know about NNELS, please ask them to contact us. Training for libraries is free and unlimited. All you need, as a reader, is a library card and a “print disability”.

What services and supports can NNELS library users expect when attending their local public libraries?

We hope everyone can expect to use all of the library’s services. One thing that people often do not know is how much they can do with a library card, and that most libraries already have huge collections of accessible content and library staff who are happy people access it.

For example, if your library subscribes to OverDrive which is a library platform for borrowing downloadable books and audiobooks, you have access to those books. There is an iOS and Android app for OverDrive and for most other products your library licenses. Furthermore, if you are one of the millions of Canadians who does not have a smartphone or tablet, and either does not have a computer or cannot use one, the library is allowed to burn MP3 audio CDs with OverDrive books for readers.

Libraries also offer meeting space. If you are hosting some kind of public event or meeting, libraries are often open to letting people use the library’s space for free or little expense.

Librarians are also very helpful if you need a reading recommendation. Remember, just because a book does not exist in an accessible format now, does not mean it will not after you request it.

Every province has its own legislation for public libraries, and every library is unique based on its history, environment, and staff. At minimum, expect from your library respect, curiosity, and a commitment to public service. And if you are not getting those things, we are among the people you can call.

How do I return a book when I’m done, and when does it expire?

That depends on what your local library is doing — whether they are circulating discs or not – but the digital NNELS files themselves neither expire nor self-destruct. Our Terms of Use require that our books are only for eligible readers. Please do not share copyright-protected books with people who are not qualified to access them.

To date, 54 Canadian publishers and 23 international ones have sent us books, and we want those relationships to stay healthy. That is why we keep our Terms of Use short and clear, and kindly request that both libraries and users follow them to the letter. You can find them at nnels.ca/terms.

What are the main print disabilities served by NNELS besides vision loss?

I am not sure because this is not information we collect. We explicitly avoid collecting personal information about our users.

Where is NNELS’s library service available in Canada, and where is it not available?

It is presently available in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and the three territories. It is not available, officially, in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, or PEI.

If readers in a non-participating area are desperate for a book in NNELS that cannot be found elsewhere, we can send that book to the reader’s local public library. The same goes for other accessible format providers in Canada, if they have a reader who wants a book we have, we will send that book and we will happily cooperate further with any organization that also shares reciprocally. Ultimately, the door to NNELS is open to all Canadian jurisdictions through the provincial department responsible for public libraries.

How can people living in Ontario and other unserved regions of Canada take advantage of NNELS services?

Again, the door to NNELS is open to all Canadian jurisdictions through the provincial department responsible for public libraries. You can discuss access with your library or write a letter to your provincial government explaining why you want access to NNELS.

Also, we have a number of books that are open content, which anyone can download without an account. For example, we are working on producing all of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports. Those are in the public domain and anyone can download them from our website. English and French.

Does NNELS currently offer a Direct to Player app, and if not are there any plans to do so?

We don’t have an app yet, and it is not a priority given that the Voice Dream app works so well.

 
Does NNELS offer a free subscription to BookShare, and if not why not, and is there a plan to do so?

We do not offer access to BooksShare for several reasons. First, because we were excluded from early negotiations to participate in Canadian arrangements with BookShare. Second, its costs exceed our budget. Third, there are privacy problems we would need to resolve associated with public libraries and sending personal information to the US. Fourth, we’d pay for access to Bookshare but never own the content. We aim to invest primarily in content we own.

If there were an opportunity to collaborate nationally, we might be able to revisit that decision.

What copyright access limitations does NNELS face when acquiring or producing accessible library products produced in other countries?

This year’s amendments to the Copyright Act changed the requirements for author nationality (formerly, authors of works exchanged between countries either had to be from Canada or the country with which the exchange was taking place), removed limitations on producing large print books, and changed the language around international commercial availability (changing “commercially available” to “reasonable time and for a reasonable price”).

How will the Marrakesh Treaty and Canada’s altered copyright laws affect our access to alternate Library products?

I hope by increasing access to them tremendously! We may have missed a collective opportunity to push forward federally on a couple of policy pieces, but I hope that doesn’t affect what we’re going to be able to do. There’s a blind, Spanish-speaking refugee who recently arrived in Winnipeg. I suspect the Marrakesh Treaty will make a world of difference for him.

##QUESTIONS FROM CALLERS FOR SABINA and NNELS:

QUESTION:

Regarding online books, is that different from audio books found in the CNIB collection?

ANSWER:

Yes, it is different.

QUESTION:

What is your contact information?

 
ANSWER:

You can contact NNELS by e-mail at:

support@nnels.ca or by phone at: 1-888-848-9250, option 5. This information is also on every page of the website at NNELS.CA.

QUESTION:

Asking for a clarification regarding the OverDrive system, the questioner asked, am I correct in understanding that one can take a book text from the OverDrive system and burn it on to a CD in MP3 format?

ANSWER:

Correct. Any local library that subscribes to OverDrive can do that with MP3 audiobooks if the app is inaccessible or a library patron is not able to use a computer to borrow OverDrive books.

QUESTION:

Does NNELS have any books in braille and large print? If not, have you considered providing books in braille and/or large print?

ANSWER:

There is already a lot of large print available through interlibrary loan. With the advent of tablets these days, there is a great deal that people can do to adjust print and fonts with e-text files on these devices. NNELS has a large collection of etext books in RTF format so they will open in Word or any text program, and will also work with braille displays.

In terms of braille, NNELS does have some BRF files. But we have learned that there no Apple or Android APPs that read them. We are not actually printing braille, but there is a move among the provinces to build a shared braille collection. Here we are talking about sharing physical braille books that could be shared and moved around to where they are needed/requested.

QUESTION:

How are you funded? Please clarify again.

ANSWER:

NNELS is not a separate organization. We are funded completely by the participating provinces and territories. They contribute annually.

QUESTION:

**A question about VoiceDream Reader. To confirm, is it a direct link as BookShare is in VoiceDream Reader to get to the NNELS collection—that is, you login on VoiceDream Reader and then you have access to the book?

ANSWER:

Yes.

QUESTION:

Can you search for a book from within the APP?

ANSWER:

Yes. It opens the NNELS website and you do a search from there.

QUESTION:

Can you download both text and audio?

ANSWER:

Yes.

COMMENT FROM KIM:

VoiceDream Reader is very powerful because it allows you to work the APP with a braille display. You can read braille from within the VoiceDream APP. And, if you press PLAY, it starts where you left off reading. In other words, you can read braille for a while and then you can switch over to audio if you wish. It’s the “Swiss Army Knife” of reading APPs! So that is one way to get at braille easily.

This switching back and forth between braille and audio is doable in BookShare or with any text file being read in VoiceDream Reader.

QUESTION:

Does NNELS produce textbooks and how do you get textbooks for students?

ANSWER:

NNELS does not produce textbooks for students. Our mandate is to serve public libraries. So we don’t produce textbooks for the public education system or the post-secondary systems right now because we are funded by the ministries that oversee public libraries. But we have a number of books in the collection that are textbooks—in part because of UBC’s Crane Library Collection. Looking to the future it is the hope that is that accessible format producers across Canada will get better at sharing the books that they have. Right now this is quite locked down for a number of reasons that are political and also have to do with relationships that publishers demand from post-secondary institutions. But to come back to the question, NNELS does not produce textbooks for students at this time.

QUESTION:

Could you clarify the audio formats that your books are in? Do you read them with a reader and put them in DAISY format or are they only in etext?

ANSWER:

There is a mix. We have MP3s that are only audio and those are all recorded by narrators/by people. We have DAISY books that are recorded by computers and some that are recorded by people. If you are searching the NNELS catalog and you find Apple Alex, Apple Samantha, or Apple anyone in the Narrator field that will mean synthetic/computer speech narration. Just to round this out, as was noted previous the etext books are in RTF format. We also have EPUB and PDF formats.

QUESTION:

It was mentioned that Ontario, Quebec and some of the Atlantic provinces—with the exception of Nova Scotia—are not part of NNELS. What the non-participating provinces saying is their reason for not joining NNELS?

ANSWER:

Sabina indicated that she was not privy to this information.

QUESTION:

You briefly mentioned that you could help us access books if we couldn’t find them in a collection or if we found something in your collection (living in a province where NNELS was not offering their service. Am I correct in understanding that your tech support could help individuals get the books?

ANSWER:

Sabina indicated carefully that she is offering this unofficially. As a librarian, Sabina helps where she can. NNELS will collaborate reciprocally with any other accessible-format producers or distributors. In participating provinces and territories, NNELS provides tech support, especially to library staff.

QUESTION:

Starting with a comment, the questioner said: Recently the Copyright Act was amended through Bill C11. The questioner noted that the way he had read it several things that the NNELS presenter said were still in the Act had in fact been eliminated. The restriction that the author had to be Canadian or a citizen of the country to which you were sending the work. His reading was that these restrictions were now gone. The large print limitation is gone. The questioner was suggesting that further investigation is needed here….

ANSWER:

You are right, but at this time the actual ability to exchange books cannot be done until September 30, 2016 cross borders when the Marrakesh Treaty is ratified. You are right that the large print provision and language around commercially availablility have also changed, but we still cannot produce or distribute books if they’re commercially available.

QUESTION:

Going back to the BookShare comments, and BookShare not being available because of not being affordable and not wanting to pay for something that you cannot own, the question is: Are we not charging provinces enough so that we can afford to get services such as BookShare and put more money into production?

ANSWER:

The focus on the quantity of money might not be the most effective or interesting way to think about expanded access. When looking longterm, the ideal might be to have a national, non-partisan institution such as Library and Archives Canada have a digital repository and allow any accessible format producer to convert those items into other formats. The collection would be there and public libraries would be responsible for public library services. That’s one idea, and at this point it seems unlikely to be something that becomes a reality in the near future, given the orientation of Library and Archives Canada. Another question is about what we can do to encourage publishers to produce books that are born-accessible, so that the resources needed to convert them are increasingly less expensive. How do we support even small publishers, producing epub formats, for example, so that they are part of the system in the future? Where is leadership on these issues coming from? It needs to come from everywhere, and it needs to advocate for a sustainable model, as well as for options and choice for readers. We want everyone to have access to everything but I would hazard to say that the barriers readers are experiencing at this time have less to do with insufficient funding than with issues of power and control.

##To add NNELS to your Voice Dream Reader app do the following:
If you don’t have an NNELS Account please contact Sabina Iseli-Otto directly, or ask your local Librarian.
Adding Your Existing NNELS Account to Voice Dream Reader (VDR):
Prepared by: Albert Ruel:
1. Double Tap the Settings Button on the VDR Home Screen.
2. Scroll to Content Sources and Double Tap to open it.
3. Scroll to the bottem of the page and Double Tap on Add Web Site Button.
4. Scroll to the Popular Web Sites section of the page and locate NNELS, then Double Tap on it. This should populate the User Name and URL Fields.
5. After checking the page content to see that the User Name and URL Fields are correctly filled in Scroll to the top of the page to find the Save Button and Double Tap on it.
6. NNELS should appear at the bottom of the list of sources you have registered on your device. Be sure the switch is turned On, then scroll to the top of the page and find the Close Button and Double Tap it. .
To add an NNELS book to your VDR reading list do the following:
1. At the top of the VDR Home Page Double Tap the Add Button.
2. Scroll the list of available sources and Double Tap on NNELS.
3. The above will have taken you to the NNELS Web Site, and if this is your first time accessing NNELS from VDR you will have to Log In. This happens when you turn your Router to the Headings movement unit, then Flick Down until you find the Log In Heading, then Flick Right to find the Log In Button and Double Tap it.
4. Scroll to the Edit Fields and type your User Name/Library Card Number and Password for your NNELS Account.
5. During the Log In procedure you can opt to have the Web Site remember your Log In credentials for future access by Double Tapping the Remember Me Check Box, Then scroll to the Log In Button and Double Tap it.
6. Now you’re ready to scroll to the Browse Heading and begin your search, or you can access the list of suggested reading found on this page.
7. Once a book is found, Double Tap the Download MP3 or RTF Link and the book will be loaded to VDR’s list of available titles.
8. Scroll to the top of the page and find the Close Button and Double Tap it. This should land you on the VDR Home Page where you will find your available titles, along with the latest one.

##Presenter CONTACTS
National Network for Equitable Library Service:
Sabina Iseli-Otto can be reached at NNELS by e-mail at: support@nnels.ca or by phone at: 1-888-848-9250, option 5. This information is also on every page of the website at http://www.NNELS.CA.

##What is CCB and GTT?
##The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization.
The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments. CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.
The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age. As the largest membership organization for the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the “Voice of the Blind™”.
GTT was started in Ottawa in 2011 by Kim Kilpatrick and Ellen Goodman to give people a chance to share low and high-tech solutions, tips, and resources, and was soon brought under the CCB National umbrella as another consumer driven service and participation initiative. Through GTT you can learn from and discuss assistive technology with others walking the same path of discovery.
The group is made up of blindness and low vision related assistive technology users, and those who have an interest in using assistive technology designed to help blind and vision impaired people level the playing field. The GTT group meets monthly to share their passions for assistive technology and to learn what others can offer from their individual perspectives.
For more information about GTT contact: Kim Kilpatrick at GTTProgram@Gmail.com, 1-613-567-0311,513, or Albert A. Ruel at GTTWest@CCBNational.net 1-613-567-0311,550.

##What is AEBC?
AEBC is a national grassroots, peer support organization that is comprised of Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted and our supporters from the public at large. Our membership is comprised of a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, educational achievements, life experiences, professional and nonprofessional occupations. These members work to ensure AEBC has a voice on all matters affecting participation in Canada’s mainstream society.


AEBC’s individual and collective advocacy efforts have been successful across Canada for almost twenty-five years and have spurred innovation in the private sector. This advocacy has resulted in many advancements and opportunities now available to blind Canadians in the mainstream of our society. In fact, most of the successful innovations with respect to information, communication and technology have taken place as a direct result of our members. They have acted individually and collectively, identifying and challenging Governments and other regulated organizations to make websites, banking machines, personal financial and healthcare information available in accessible formats for people unable to read standard print independently, confidentially and securely.
For more information about AEBC contact: Marcia Yale, National Secretary at Info@BlindCanadians.ca, or 1-800-561-4774.

The Seeing Eye GPS iPhone APP:

Using an iPhone 5S a user just tried to load the above app and encountered a problem when loading it. Well, actually, it took several tries to get it to load. Even when he did get it to load, he was kicked out of the app repeatedly.

He contacted the app developer and got the answer and fix that I’ll share with you in case you have the same issue.

“This is a known issue, but it has to do with the Apple Store download, so unfortunately we can’t prevent it. To fix it, you will need to delete the app, power cycle your phone and redownload.”

For further information contact Sendero directly.
https://www.senderogroup.com/news/segpsrelease.htm

Thx, Albert

This is just a reminder of the GTT national conference call which will take place on Wednesday August 17 at 7 PM Eastern time 4 Pacific time.
We will be talking about braille.
Kim will describe and talk about the Orbit braille display which is now available for pre-order.
One of our GTT Edmonton participants will talk about his use of the braille sense notetaker. He uses it extensively in his school and also paired with his phone.
Below find the call in information.
1-866-740-1260 Passcode 5670311
For more information contact Kim at
1-877-304-0968
Or
Gttprogram@gmail.com

On Aug 13, 2016, at 8:12 AM, Vic Pereira <vic.pereira@virn.ca> wrote:
Greetings

 

Below is the note I just posted to VIRN’s iDevice Users distribution group. For those of you who are Shaw subscribers and using an Apple device with VoiceOver you might be interested in trying Shaw’s Free Range TV app.

 

From: Vic Pereira [mailto:vic.pereira@virn.ca] 

Sent: 13-Aug-16 10:10 AM

To: ‘*iDevice Users’ <ideviceusers@virn.ca>

Subject: Shaw Free Range TV

 

Good day everyone

 

If you use VoiceOver with your Apple Device, I found that Shaw’s Free Range TV app works very nicely. In settings it is possible to enable audio description. This way when a program has the audio description track it will play.

 

With VoiceOver I was able to search for programs and sur the channels. This was a pleasant surprise after my less than positive experience with the Showmi free trial.

 

Vic

I am excited that the Orbit braille reader is now on the CNIB web store for pre-order.
Go to
http://www.shopcnib.ca
You will need to give them a $50 deposit.
The full price will be $499 for a 20 cell braille display that pairs with IOS and android by Bluetooth.
It has and SD card slot which can be loaded with text or BRF books.
It has a very rudimentary braille note taking feature.
There are no cursor routing keys but the braille display feels beautiful and reading using IOs or on the SD card has worked beautifully.
It is light and compact and feels durable.
I tested it once in the winter and saw it again very recently.
We will be talking about it on our next GTT national conference call on Wednesday August 17.
If you pre-order the orbit, you will receive and e-mail when the first shipment comes in in late October asking if you want to pay the balance or want your money returned.
I am so excited that someone has brought the cost of refreshable braille down.
Hopefully this is the start of an avalanche of more affordable braille technology for all.

If anyone has questions, please contact me at
(613) 567-0311
1-877-304-0968
gttprogram@gmail.com
Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

Our next national GTT conference call will take place on Wednesday august 17 at 7 PM eastern.Note this is a change just for August.

More to follow.