January 28, 2016 Workshop: Braille in the context of the proposed federal disability legislation: BLC seeks your input

As many of you may be aware, the federal government is currently undertaking a consultation process to inform the development of new legislation aimed at improving accessibility and removing barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian society. Public consultation sessions have been held in major cities across the country, but individuals and organizations are also permitted to make written submissions to the process.

The scope of these consultations is wide. Feedback is being sought to help determine the goals of the legislation, the approach it will take to improving accessibility, how standards should be developed, how compliance and enforcement should be handled, and what the government can do to support organizations in becoming accessible. More information on the consultation process generally can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/consultations/accessibility-legislation.html. For more information on the scope and reach of the federal government's regulatory power, please see: https://slmc.uottawa.ca/?q=laws_canada_legal.

Braille Literacy Canada intends to submit a position paper to the government outlining the importance of federal organizations ensuring that information is accessible and available in braille. To facilitate this, we would like to hold a consultation session with our members to gather input on what factors should be considered in this submission. Questions to consider may include:

1. What arguments (academic, theoretical, practical, or otherwise) would you use to justify the importance of having access to braille from federally-regulated organizations for Canadians who are blind or deaf-blind?
2. Should braille materials be on hand, available upon request, or, within a "reasonable" timeframe? If the latter, what would seem to be a "reasonable" timeframe?
3. In the reverse direction, should Canadians who are blind or deaf-blind have the right to submit documentation in braille to federally-regulated bodies?
4. To what degree, if at all, should the legislation specify the standards to which braille is to be produced? What 'standards' should it adopt, and how?
5. Should we attempt to solidify, through legislation (or regulation), Braille Literacy Canada's (internationally recognized) role as the preeminent "authority" for braille standards in Canada? If so, how?