Slide 1
Title Page
Reading Re-Imagined
A National Digital “HUB” to support service delivery to Canadians with print disabilities
Conceptual Model/Business Plan
March 30, 2012
CNIB Logo
Slide 2
Table of Contents
1.0 Imperative to Act
2.0 Consultative Process
3.0 Definitions
4.0 HUB Overview
5.0 Market Potential
6.0 CNIB Library Overview
7.0 Current End Users
8.0 End-User Format Preference
9.0 Publishing/Digital trends
10.0 Financials
11.0 Supply Chain & Potential Funding
12.0 HUB Governance Structure
13.0 Rollout and Key Activities: Year 1: 2012/2013
14.0 In Summary
Slide 3
1.0 Imperative to Act
The Digital Hub for Accessible Alternative Formats (the HUB) will support equitable access to public library services for Canadians with a print disability. It has been reported that these Canadians only have access to only 5% of all published works in alternative formats.
•Canadians with disabilities continue to encounter barriers that prevent their full participation that is guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is estimated that up to 10% of Canadians have some form of print disability.
-There is pressure on the Canadian Government (e.g. 2011 Jodhan case) to ensure accessibility of information. Over 44% of the Human Rights violations accepted by the Commission are related to disability.
-Canada is signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Parties to the Convention are required to “take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to….information”.
-Other G8 countries have successfully implemented a HUB concept, as presented in this plan, including mixed levels of public funds for centralized support for provision of alternative format materials and library services.
•Canadians with a print disability should not have to rely on a charity while their sighted peers use publicly funded libraries.
•Library service is critical to the life-long learning required to sustain jobs, volunteer opportunities and independence in a civil society.
•The proposed HUB could impact the lives of up to 1M+ Canadians both economically and socially. Access to information and literacy have an impact on national labour productivity. Today, only one-third of working age Canadians with vision loss are employed (source: CNIB, The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada).
•If the HUB, as conceived in this plan, is not achieved, CNIB will need to balance its library clients’ needs with the broader CNIB vision and expectations, and go-forward options will be presented to the CNIB Board of Directors.
Slide 4
2.0 Consultative Process
This Business Plan is built upon the work-to-date by the consumer stakeholders and Associations, Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Library Association (CLA), Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), Provincial and Territorial Public Library Directors' Council (PTPLDC), Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Learning Disability Association of Canada (LDAC), plus other disability organizations.
Consumer Engagement
250 participated in online survey. One-on-one interviews conducted with over 25 individual stakeholders.
Town Hall Meetings hosted by AEBC, CCB, CBRL
Public Libraries & Associations
CULC, PTPLDC, CLA, OLA
BC Librarians partnership - Created survey and focus groups reaching 120+ end-users
Additional one-on-one interviews with 12 system Librarians
Disability Associations
•CNIB Board of Directors and Library Task Force (Assembled to lead this project), Library staff and Government Relations
•Learning Disability Association of Canada
•Market Size Data obtained from:
-MS Society
-The Brain Injury Association of Canada
-Canadian Autism Society
-Canadian Dyslexia Association
Potential Innovation Partners
Universities and Colleges:
•Ryerson Digital Media Zone
•OCADU
•McGillUniversity
•SenecaCollege
•SimonFraserUniversity
•St. Mary’s University
•University of Toronto
MaRs/IBM/CAER (NEADS)
World Wide Libraries for the Blind
•NLS – US
•RNIB – Royal National Institute for the Blind
•WBU – World Blind Union
Publishing Associations
•Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) (TBC)
•E-Bound
•Canadian Publishers Council (CPC) (TBC)
Commercial Canadian Producers
•T-base
•Iambik
Slide 5
3.0 Definitions
The following definitions are key in the presentation of this business plan.
•Print Disability: In accordance with the Canadian Copyright Law, a “print disability” prevents or inhibits a person from reading a literary, musical or dramatic work in its original format, and includes:
a)severe or total impairment of sight or the inability to focus or move’s one’s eyes;
b)The inability to hold or manipulate a book; or
c)An impairment relating to comprehension
•Learning Disabilities (LD): LD results from impairments in one or more processes related to perceiving, thinking, remembering or learning. These include but are not limited to: language processing; phonological processing; visual spatial processing; processing speed; memory and attention; and executive functions (e.g. planning and decision-making).
•Alternative Formats: Include braille, e-braille, navigable audio, large print, electronic text and described video.
•Assistive Technology: Includes screen magnification and screen reader software for computers (such as ZoomText and JAWS respectively), downloadable apps for accessing digital formats (e.g. audible for iPhone) and audio playback devices (e.g. Victor Readers).
•Digital does not necessarily mean accessible: Digital speaks to the medium, “accessible” speaks to usability of the format (e.g. navigable Daisy). Accessibility is dependent on the use of universal accessible design standards and often on the end user’s familiarity with different digital formats.
Slide 6
4.0 HUB Overview
The HUB will acquire, produce, and distribute alternative format materials through public libraries and direct service points to Canadians with a print disability. Given the current state of the economy and funding pressures on libraries in general, the approach taken is pragmatic, based on multiple public-private partnerships.
There are three cornerstones:
First box: Lean Operating Model with a Project Based Test and Learn Approach.
A public–private business model evolving as technological change reduces the need for production and increases the intermediary and support role
Second box: Digital and Social Innovation & Collaboration.
Innovative digital platforms and outreach programs will facilitate the ability to reach the almost 1 Million Canadians with a print disability in a cost-effective manner.
Third box: Job Creation and Building Capacity through Internships.
Outsourcing to private alternative format producers and on-the job training for audio production
Slide 7
4.0 HUB Overview
Continuation from last slide
Lean Operating Model with a Project Based Test and Learn Approach.
•The role will evolve based on the rate that technological
•advances such as EPUB 3 are adopted by publishers, resulting in less need over time for the HUB to produce alternative formats. The intermediary role of assisting end-users in accessing content via accessible formats, devices and software applications will remain constant.
•The HUB is based on a public-private business model. The
•long term funding model has equal financial and/or in-kind contribution:
-1/3 Federal Government funding
-1/3 Provincial/Municipal Government funding
-1/3 Private sector funding
•CNIB intends to begin a measured transition of HUB
functions in the current CNIB Library to a new not-for-profit entity over the next three years. There will be two phases.
-Phase 1: Year 1: (2012/2013) through Year 2:
-(2013/2014): Create a separate CNIB division as the first step. Public and Academic Libraries, CNIB, Learning Disability Association, AEBC, CCB, CBRL and other disability associations to implement outreach and awareness programs to increase numbers of patrons and availability of alternative format materials. Stakeholders work on gaining commitment for a 5 year sustainable funding plan.
-VALIDATION – All stakeholders meet to review results,
-revise projections if necessary and confirm size and scope of HUB.
-Phase 2: Year 3: Create a new not-for-profit and
-CNIB negotiates use of transfer of its collections and technology infrastructure.
Slide 8
4.0 HUB Overview
Continuation from last slide
Years 3-5: 2014/15-2016/17:
•Increase usage from 26,000 current patrons to over 105,000, a reasonable growth rate over the 5-year period. Growth will come from increasing library users who are blind or partially sighted and those with learning disabilities.
•Focus on significantly increasing availability of alternative format materials at a reduced and/or no-cost by:
-Continued participation in global and bi-lateral initiatives to share/exchange alternative format materials.
-Continued high-level discussions between CNIB and the NLS – National Library Service in the United States to allow for cross-border sharing of alternative format material.
-Continue negotiations with commercial audio providers and publishers to obtain reduced rates and/or library licenses for Canadians with a print disability.
-Increased usage of audio and e-text subscription services in order to significantly increase the titles availability in a variety of alternative formats.
-Maximize the awareness and usage of free accessible websites.
Slide 9
4.0 HUB Overview
Continuation of last slide
•Increase alternative format content yearly, from 5%-30% on a base of 40,000 titles, the average number of titles purchased annually by the larger public libraries in Canada. Should an agreement be secured with NLS the available titles would significantly increase and this assumption can be revised upwards.
•The HUB will develop partnerships with other government funded organizations such E-Bound (Digital arm for the Canadian Publishers Association) and Accessible Media Inc. in order to maximize public funding.
•Support public libraries in cost effectively ensuring compliance with accessibility legislation such as AODA in Ontario.
Slide 10
4.0 HUB Overview
Continuation of last slide
Digital and Social Innovation & Collaboration
•Create a Living Lab within the HUB that brings together disability associations, public libraries, universities and colleges, provincial centres of excellence, and the private sector to develop and implement innovative projects to improve access and/or reduce the cost of creating and accessing alternative format materials. Innovative digital platforms will facilitate the ability to reach the almost 1 Million Canadians with a print disability in a cost-effective manner.
-Focus innovation in the areas of digital apps, devices (e.g. low cost e-braille reader), and social media platforms to improve access to alternative format materials at a lower cost.
-Commercialize accessible apps and devices where the opportunity arises.
-Contribute to Canada’s digital strategy by supporting implementation of EPUB 3 standards and other accessible publishing best practices to jointly achieve the goal of alternative formats being created at source.
-Support Canada’s leadership in social innovation by developing innovative outreach, marketing and PR strategies to reach targeted constituencies within the print disabled population through the library service points.
-Coordination point among the local offices of the disability organizations, public libraries, universities and colleges including student-led organizations such as SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) and government agencies.
Slide 11
4.0 HUB Overview
Job Creation and Building Capacity through Internships
The Hub Can:
•Stimulate the Canadian economy and publishing sector by contracting to Canadian producers of alternative format materials.
•If requested, facilitate the production of Federal and Provincial documentation in alternative formats.
•Evolve to provide standards, training, and knowledge transfer to small and medium size Canadian producers and publishers who are interested in producing alternative format materials.
•Develop broadcast media and digital publishing intern and co-op programs to provide work experience for recently graduated university and college students. Graduates gain completed audio book titles to add to their portfolios.
Slide 12
4.0 HUB Overview – Business Model in Summary
The HUB sources, produces and outsources the creation of alternative format materials. The HUB manages a digital repository and provides online seamless access to public libraries and direct service points. The HUB will partner with these organizations to develop innovative marketing, outreach and accessible services.
Digital HUB for Accessible Alternative Formats consists of:
Tier 1 (left to right)
•Collection Development & Acquisition
•Production & Repository
•Delivery and Customer Service
Tier 2
Accessibility Living Lab
•Print Accessibility App and Device development, testing and commercialization
•Online Community
•Web Accessibility
Tier 3
Marketing, PR, Training and Outreach
•Partnership Development – Public – Private Sectors, Service Organizations
Slide 13
5.0 Market Potential
The Canadian Copyright Law groups Canadians with a print disability in the following three categories. This conservatively represents almost 1M Canadians based on the data below.
Three-column chart to illustrate the three categories of people with a print disability as defined by the Canadian Copyright Law.
First column
Severe or total impairment of sight or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes
•26,000 current registered CNIB Library clients (comparable to other libraries for the blind)
•Estimated that in 2011 there will be 506,123 Canadians over the age of 45 with AMD, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy causing significant vision loss
•By 2031, this number will grow to 1.0M
Estimated Market Size: 127,224
26,000 current users plus 20% of 506,123
Second column
An impairment relating to comprehension
•Learning Disabilities - including dyslexia (2.1M)
•Brain Injury Association of Canada (1.4M)
•Autism (200,000)
Please note numbers have been adjusted to conservatively estimate those that specifically fall within this copyright category.
Est Market Size: 670,000
20% of all categories except brain injury which is estimated at 15%
Third column
The inability to hold or manipulate a book
•Severe rheumatoid arthritis (300,000) – total arthritis 4.5M
•Huntington’s Disease (3,000)
•Multiple Sclerosis (55,000 -75,000)
•Parkinson’s Disease (100,000)
•Cerebral Palsy (50,000)
•ALS (2,500 – 3,000)
•Total spinal cord injuries (86,000) including quadriplegics and injuries facing upper limbs
•Upper limb amputees (2,700)
Est Market Size: 114,340
20% of all categories except MS, which is estimated at 10%
Slide 14
6.0 CNIB Library Overview
The Federally-funded CNIB Library Systems project will be completed in March 2012 and will provide a sound go-forward platform for the HUB.
CNIB Library Summary:
•78,644 English and French titlesin the CNIB database:
-16,032 DAISY audio books (English)- 70% are fiction/30% non-fiction
-4,663 DAISY audio books (French)
-20,414 Braille (e-braille and print braille)
-2,499 Original music titles and audio music instruction titles
-1,280 Described video titles
-21,146 ODA (online digital audio)
-12,443 e-text
•52 Full text newspapers, 11 audio magazinesin English and French and 3 magazines in Mandarin, Polish and Italian. Plus access to thousands of accessible magazines and databases through EBSCO host.
•Access to alternative format materials in 21 languagesvia international inter-library loan from sister organizations
Slide 15
7.0 Current End Users
Alternative format materials exist within public and academic Libraries, the CNIB Library, and through other online sources. The HUB provides the opportunity to create a national centralized repository. There are 26,000 registered CNIB Library end-users plus an undetermined number of other end users with print disabilities who access their materials through their public and academic libraries.
Public Library end-users with a print disability including the CNIB Partners Program as of August 2011:
•363 participating partner library systems in: Alberta, New Brunswick, PEI, Northwest Territories and Ontario.
•CNIB DAISY titles on deposit in over 133 public libraries.
Slide 16
8.0 End-User Format Preference
The intention is to balance the needs of all end-users by increasing the range of formats offered. The number of checkmarks denote end-user format preference.
The chart is divided by all three copyright categories down one side and physical formats and digital formats across the top. A check mark system has been used – the more checkmarks the more end users indicated it was their preferred format.
Severe or total impairment of sight or the inability to move one’s eyes
Physical Formats:
Large print, audio on tape/CD, and braille or print braille have one checkmark
DAISY CD has three checkmarks (mainly CNIB Senior Seniors)
Digital Formats:
E-text has two checkmarks, e-braille one checkmark, MP3s has three checkmarks, and downloadable DAISY audio has three checkmarks.
An Impairment relating to comprehension
The only two formats that are preferred are e-text and Downloadable DAISY audio with three checkmarks. DAISY 4 – synchronized text and speech would be the preferred option. The remaining formats would not be used.
The Inability to hold or manipulate a book: This segment addressed as HUB evolves.
Despite scoring low as a preferred format on the surveys, Braille must continue to be supported nationally as Braille = literacy for those who are blind.
Slide 17
9.0 Publishing/Digital trends
There is an increasing demand for new media formats such as audio books and eBooks. Emerging technologies are changing the landscape for producing alternative format materials.
•The association of American Publishers reported the following sales results for 2010:
-E-books grew a dramatic +164.8%in December 2010 versus the previous year ($49.5M vs. $18.7M). E-book sales on an annual basis were up +164.4%for 2010 versus 2009. E-book sales represented 8.32% of the trade book market in 2010 versus 3.2% in 2009.
-Downloadable audio books increased +56.7% percent to $8.9M and the sale of physical audio books increased by +34% to $15.8M. Downloadable audio books sales on an annual basis were up by +38.8%for 2010 versus 2009 while physical audio books fell -6.3% in 2010 versus 2009.
•Prior to 2010, The audiobooks market grew at an average of 8-10% in the previous four years. The majority of eBook titles in inventory were in English only.
•eBooks are available in only a few formats (PDF, eReader, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket Reader) and therefore those who may be print-disabled are unable to manipulate the content that is not easily read by text-to-speech applications.
•Recent moves by publishers to block or limit the sale of e-books (e.g. Harper Collins) and audiobooks (e.g. Brilliance Audio & Penguin) via Overdrive to public libraries may negatively impact on-going negotiations with publishers to serve Canadians with a print disability.