CANADA POST FREE LITERATURE FOR THE BLIND

Dear CELA User As you may know, CELA and NNELS have recently discovered an item in the federal budget which would impact the Free Literature for the Blind program. Without this program, CELA would no longer be able to mail physical braille, printbraille and audiobook players to users with print disabilities. This would leave many of our users without any access to reading materials. In addition, we know that many of the organizations that support people who are blind or have low vision also rely on the Free Literature for the Blind program to support this community. Canada’s commitment to providing mail services for literature for the blind goes back more than a century. In addition, decades. Canada is a signatory to the Universal Postal Convention, governed by UN specialized agency, which coordinates postal policies around the world. The UPU states that UPU members must ensure that items for the blind and low vision are exempt from postal charge (including braille, sound recordings, large print, and equipment and materials for blind people.) CELA and NNELS are collaborating with organizations to provide a coordinated response to the federal government, calling on the government to immediately withdraw this amendment and ensure that the services that our organizations provide that rely on free post to the blind can continue.  Current Situation Following increasing media interest, on Tuesday December 9, Minister Lightbound's office issued a statement offering assurances that it is not their intention to cut the Free Literature for the Blind program.  We appreciate these assurances. However, assurances are not guarantees, nor do they offer regulatory protections. We believe the government has both the capacity and obligation to preserve this vital service in legislation which ensures format choice and equitable access to reading materials to people across Canada.  Without regulatory protection, the Free Literature for the Blind program could continuously be placed at risk. If you would like to write your Member of Parliamentour blog has some resources which may help you write or voice your concerns. In addition, please feel free to share the news story and its update about this issue with your friends and family, and on your social media. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves. Thank you for your ongoing support. Laurie Davidson, Executive Director, Centre for Equitable Library Access