Manager's Guide to Multiple Format Production

Introduction

Produced through the Assistive Devices Industry Office of Industry Canada for the Government of Canada. Financial support from the Treasury Board Employment Equity Positive Measures Program Intervention Fund.

This Guide is available in alternate formats.

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2003

Mary Frances Laughton
Chief, Assistive Devices Industry Office
Industry Canada
3701 Carling Avenue, Suite 209
PO Box 11490, Stn H
Ottawa ON K2H 8S2

Dear Ms Laughton:

I am writing as Chair of the Council on Access to Information for Print-Disabled Canadians to offer congratulations on the publication of The Manager's Guide to Multiple Format Production. As you know, the Council's mandate is to provide advice, identify funding requirements, monitor progress and make recommendations to improve access to print information. Members of the Council include, but are not limited to: consumers and consumer groups, publishers and multiple format producers (private and not-for-profit sectors), educational institutions and public libraries.

The Manager's Guide is an excellent resource for government managers in ensuring people with disabilities exercise their right to information. The Guide is supported by the Council as a vital tool in educating and assisting federal government managers in producing government publications that can be used by all Canadians.

The Task force on Access to Information for Print-Disabled Canadians found that three million Canadians, or about 10 per cent of the population, are Print-Disabled. Print disabilities prevent people from reading standard print due to a visual, perceptual or physical disability. As a result, they require print materials in multiple formats such as Braille, audio and large print, and accessible electronic resources, to meet their information needs.

This guidebook provides the planning tools needed by managers to produce multiple formats, not only for people with visual disabilities, but also for people with hearing and learning disabilities. Today's explosion in multimedia technologies makes the need for universal access even more significant.

The Council views the guidebook as a timely resource capable of making a major difference in the lives of many of our citizens. The enhanced participation in society that will inevitably result can only benefit us all.

The Manager's Guide will have application beyond the Federal Government, assisting a variety of agencies to upgrade access to their information. Congratulations again on the appearance of this much needed resource.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Whitney,
Chair, Council on Access to Information
for Print-Disabled Canadians.

Acknowledgements:

The publisher wishes to acknowledge the many hours spent by the volunteer reviewers in helping to edit the guide, often taking away precious time from their own business affairs to ensure the guide's relevance and accuracy.

Through development of the guide, invitations were forwarded to appropriate government departments, private sector firms and groups representing people with disabilities, for feedback and advice.

We thank all those who responded and offered their expertise, time and commitment.

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