Equitable Access to Reading Program (EARP) – Canada

Deadline: 19-Jun-2024

Applications are now open for the Equitable Access to Reading Program (EARP) to increase the production of alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities.

Funding Priorities

• They may prioritize funding projects that include one or more of the following:
  • the production of alternate formats in one or more Indigenous languages
  • the production of multiple types (more than one) of alternate format reading materials in hard copy and/or digital alternate formats. For example:
    • embossed Braille
    • electronic braille file or eBrf
    • print-Braille
    • audio
    • DAISY text or audio
    • EPUB3 or accessible PDF
    • large print
  • meet the alternate format needs of those in rural, remote, and/or northern locations (ensuring that residents of rural, and/or remote, and/or northern locations have access to the alternate format materials)

What this program offers?

• This funding opportunity is the first call for proposals (CFP) under the new Equitable Access to Reading Program (EARP)
• This CFP recognizes that access to alternate format reading material advances the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities, including those with intersecting identities. Furthermore, organizations that produce alternate formats, disability organizations and partners have roles to play to broaden this access.
• Through this funding, the Department will fund projects that increase the production of alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities.
• The funding envelope for this opportunity is up to $18 million for approximately 2.5 years.
• Agreements shall not exceed $6 million per agreement and the maximum is $2 million per fiscal year.

Activities

• Mandatory Activities
  • The project must include at least two of the following mandatory activities:
  • the production of new alternate format reading materials in both Official Languages (English and French)
  • the production of new alternate format reading materials of publications other than novels, such as:
    • textbooks
    • periodicals
    • academic journal articles
    • cookbooks
    • biographies
    • instruction manuals
    • other non-fiction materials
  • the production of multiple types (more than one) of alternate format reading materials. For example:
    • embossed braille
    • electronic braille file or eBrf
    • print-braille
    • audio
    • DAISY text or audio
    • EPUB3 or accessible PDF
    • large print
  • the production of new alternate format reading materials of published works that are written by and/or reflect the experiences of:
    • women
    • Black and racialized Canadians
    • First Nations
    • Métis
    • Inuit
    • immigrants
    • persons with disabilities
    • the 2SLGBTQI+ community
• Additional eligible activities
  • If the project meets the mandatory activity criteria, the following activities are also eligible:
    • Acquisition, awareness, and training
      • Acquisition
        • acquire new alternate format reading materials from other organizations that have already been converted. Note that titles acquired will not count toward the minimum target of 1,000 new units of alternate format materials per $1 million in funding
      • Awareness
        • raise awareness among community organizations and among municipal libraries, including in northern communities and the territories, about the existence of different types of alternate format reading materials that allow persons with various types of print disabilities to read literature and how to access them. Examples of awareness activities include but are not limited to:
        • awareness campaign including information brochures, mailouts, and email blasts
        • presentations to stakeholders such as colleges and universities, libraries (staff and patrons)
        • routine outreach to libraries and library boards
        • along with libraries and relevant partners, develop and implement strategies that raise awareness among persons with print disabilities and their caregivers about how to learn about, find and obtain written works that meet their accessibility needs
      • Training
        • work with libraries or local organizations to develop training for persons with print disabilities and caregivers on how to use and obtain alternate format reading materials
        • training should be provided for the diversity of print disabilities including:
          • learning or perceptual disabilities
          • physical disabilities
          • vision disabilities
        • examples include training for persons in rural and remote communities, the territories, and official language minority communities through partnerships with local organizations
        • the development and dissemination of:
          • training sessions
          • pamphlets
          • modules
          • workshops
          • courses about alternate format reading materials and how to access them
        • training should address the different types of alternate format reading materials available and should be directed to either individuals with print disabilities and their caregivers, to local community organizations, and/or to and local libraries
    • Innovation
      • support for innovation in the production of alternate format reading materials by simplifying the production process. For example:
        • giving advice
        • forming working groups to bring partners and stakeholders together
    • Partnerships development, including:
      • collaborations that address the alternate format reading materials needs of persons with print disabilities who have historically been excluded because of:
        • race
        • gender
        • Indigenous status
        • sexual orientation
        • immigration status
        • income level
        • etc.
      • raising awareness and promoting the economic and social inclusion of Black persons, racialized persons, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit with disabilities by identifying reading materials and converting them into alternate formats. Partnerships could also focus on identifying and meeting the alternate format reading materials training needs of persons with print disabilities who are Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
      • organizations intending to undertake partnership activities must include a letter of partnership intent for each partner, with their application for funding. The letter must include all the relevant information below:
        • introduction of the partner organization
        • partner roles and responsibilities as they relate to the proposed project (goals, objectives, scope of work, expected outcomes, how the responsibilities will be shared between the organizations, any specific tasks, or activities)
        • benefits of the partnership (how the partnership will help to achieve the goals of the project, how the partnership will benefit Canadians, the complementary skills and expertise of the partner organization)
    • Production of new alternate format reading materials to address the needs of more than one print disability. For example:
      • visual
      • physical
      • perceptual, and/or
      • learning disabilities

Eligibility Criteria

• Only organizations that are located and operate in Canada are eligible.
• Funding is open to organizations that are:
  • national, regional, or local not-for-profits, including but not limited to:
    • charitable organizations
    • Indigenous organizations, including:
      • band councils
      • tribal councils
      • self-government entities
    • local community organizations
    • volunteer organizations
  • private sector, limited to:
    • small for-profit Canadian organizations of 99 employees or less
  • public sector, including but not limited to:
    • municipal libraries and library associations, including academic library associations
    • provincial/territorial entities, including:
      • educational institutions
      • health institutions
      • social services institutions
    • universities, including university libraries
• Small for-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate a profit, and supports the priorities and CFP objective of the Equitable Access to Reading Program.

Ineligible 

• Funding is not open to the following:
  • individuals
  • provincial/territorial governments
  • publishers

For more information, visit Government of Canada.