If you have difficulty reading because of vision loss, a cognitive disability (like dyslexia), or have physical difficulty holding a book or turning pages, you qualify to receive access to an exclusive collection of library materials for people with print disabilities.
National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS) has a collection of downloadable audiobooks and other accessible formats for public library patrons who cannot read traditional print because of a visual, physical or cognitive disability.
NNELS materials are available to patrons with print disabilities only, due to copyright exemption. Under the provisions of the Canadian Copyright Act, “perceptual disability” means an impairment that prevents or inhibits a person from reading or hearing a literary, musical, dramatic or artistic work in its original format and includes a disability resulting from:
a.Severe or total impairment of sight or hearing or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes
b.The inability to hold or manipulate a book
c.An impairment relating to comprehension.
A person meeting one of these criteria can fill out a Self-Declaration form at their local library. The print disabled status will be added to his/her card and the corresponding barcode and PIN can be used to access NNELS material.
We are happy to answer questions about the program or to help you access library material. Please call 306-778-2752 and speak to Lorraine or fill out the form below: