Equitable Access to Reading Program (EARP) – Call for Proposals

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 Equitable Access to Reading Program aims to increase the production of alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities.

Program objectives

The Equitable Access to Reading Program aims to increase the production of alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities.

Funding priorities

We 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)

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

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-governing 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 Applicants

Funding is not open to the following:

• individuals
• provincial/territorial governments
• publishers

Note to organizations located and operating in Quebec:

The Quebec National Assembly adopted an Act respecting the Ministry of the Executive Council (RLRQ, chapter M-30). Particularly, this act provides that all Quebec public bodies must obtain the authorization of the Quebec government before entering into any agreement with the federal government, one of its departments or government agencies, or with a federal public agency. Any entity that is subject to the act must obtain the necessary authorization prior to the conclusion of such an agreement. If your proposed project is successful, ESDC will allow a reasonable amount of time for you to obtain the authorization from the Government of Quebec. If you are unable to obtain the required authorization in a reasonable amount of time, we will reject your application.

Projects

Projects must focus on the CFP objective of increasing the production of alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities. Refer to the list of mandatory requirements for more details.

We may also prioritize funding projects that include one or more of these funding priorities:

• the production of alternate format reading materials 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 formats, such as:
  • embossed braille
  • electronic braille file or eBrf
  • print-braille
  • audio
  • DAISY text or audio
  • EPUB3 or accessible PDF
  • large print
• meeting the alternate format reading materials needs of those in rural, remote, and/or northern locations (ensuring that residents of rural, remote, and/or northern locations have access to the alternate format reading materials)

Funding

Funding must:

• end by March 31, 2027
• not exceed $6 million per project ($2 million per fiscal year)

Activities

Mandatory Requirements

As part of their mandatory production of new reading materials in alternate formats projects must meet ALL the following requirements :

• include activities that increase the production of alternate format reading materials, available to all Canadians with print disabilities
• achieve a minimum production target equivalent to a ratio of at least 1,000 new units of alternate format reading materials per $1 million in contribution funding (this is based on the total funding amount, not just the amount to be used towards production). For example:
  • 1 unit of alternate format material for $1,000 in contribution funding
  • 25 units of alternate format materials for $25,000 in contribution funding
  • 250 units of alternate format materials for $250,000 in contribution funding
  • 500 units of alternate format materials for $500,000 in contribution funding

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
  • Metis
  • 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
• Partnership development , including:
  • collaborations that address the alternate format reading materials needs of persons with print disabilities who have historically been excluded because of:
    • breed
    • 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

The following activities are ineligible:

• providing direct financial support to publishers to produce accessible books
• providing direct financial support to subsidize the purchase of assistive devices, aids, and technology
• providing direct financial support to develop new assistive devices and aids
• focusing on distributing alternate format reading materials between organizations and to patrons with print disabilities based on membership. For example:
  • interlibrary loans
  • maintenance of digital library catalogs and repositories
  • sending individuals or libraries accessible books by mail or email
• developing webpages and websites
• library services

What the funding can be used to pay for:

• wages and employment-related costs for staff
• fees for professional service
• disability supports for staff of the recipient
• materials and supplies
• equipment
• printing and communication
• travel costs
• lease, purchase, and maintenance of equipment
• costs of project audits
• evaluations and assessments
• performance monitoring and reporting costs
• data collection
• knowledge development activities
• other administrative costs associated with the project based on approved methodology.

Examples of ineligible costs:

• international travel, accommodations, and hospitality
• conference attendance fees
• utilities
• insurance
• rental of premises

Other eligibility requirements

Must-have apps:

• be received by the deadline of June 19, 2024 at 3 pm EDT
• have the attestation of the application form completed
• be complete and include all supporting documents (including a completed budget template and letters of partnership if the proposed project includes partnerships).

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