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What is a print disability?

    Creator: Centre for Equitable Library Access

    Date Updated: January 14, 2022

    Overview

    The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides libraries with informational YouTube videos. This video discusses the term “print disability” and the content CELA provides to serve those patrons.

    The information is summarized from the CELA’s YouTube video, What is a print disability?

    Quick Facts

    • The term “print disability” is a general term for different groups of persons with disabilities who have difficulty reading traditional books. This definition, from the Canadian Copyright Act, includes:
      • If your library patron cannot see or focus on the words in a book
      • If your library patron cannot hold or has difficulty holding a book
      • If your library patron has a learning disability related to reading, such as dyslexia
    • For library staff: To determine if your patron has a print disability, ask yourself, do books and content become accessible for your patron if you provide those materials in a different format? If the answer is yes, they are most likely eligible for CELA’s services.

    Visit CELA YouTube Video: What is a print disability?

    References

    Centre for Equitable Library Access (July 27, 2015). What is a print disability?. YouTube Video. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP_5CXd6DGo

    Government of Canada (1985, last amended 2020). Canadian Copyright Act. Report. Retreived from: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/section-32.html