The first annual Accessible Reading Symposium was a huge hit. The collaboration between NNELS, BAnQ and CELA, aimed to provide readers, authors, and industry folks an opportunity to gather, and learn from one another.
Over two days in March, the Accessible Reading Symposium featured virtual programming in both French and English. On day one authors Amanda Leduc and Boum spoke about how their lived experience as people with disabilities informed their writing.
On the second day a variety of content providers, publishers, technology developers and providers, offered short presentations on different aspects of creating and delivering accessible reading materials, to provide an overview of the sector and offer readers information about the ways their reading experiences are supported behind the scenes.
“The Accessible Reading Symposium was a collaborative effort with BAnQ, CELA and NNELS working towards strengthening the accessible reading community. Our team worked together to provide an opportunity to exchange practical demonstrations, industry updates and different experiences of accessible reading” says Megan Sellmer, Outreach Coordinator with NNELS.
Feedback from participants was enthusiastic. For people who read accessible books, a sense of community can sometimes be hard to come by and the Accessible Reading Symposium an opportunity to change that.
Geneviève Mangerel of BAnQ reflected on the event, “Together with CELA and NNELS, we wanted to give readers a broad understanding of accessible reading and formats and create a space for readers and those who support them to exchange information and experiences. Our overall goal was to strengthen knowledge among libraries, content providers, publishers, technology providers, and readers.”
Staff from BAnQ, CELA and NNELS collaborated to make the program a success. “Our shared goal was to provide library staff and readers with print disabilities the opportunity to explore available tools, formats, and services. The more information is shared, the stronger this community will be,” says Jessica Desormeaux, CELA’s Manager of Member Services
Discussions have already begun about next year’s event. If you missed this year’s program, recordings are available on the CELA and NNELS YouTube channels.
“This initiative was possible thanks to support from the Government of Canada’s Equitable Access to Reading Program.”
