NNELS and CELA

The National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provide access to library materials for patrons with print disabilities.

What is a Print Disability?

A print disability is a disability that prevents a person from reading conventional print. This can include:

Visual Disability - Severe or total impairment of sight or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes
Physical disability: The inability to hold or manipulate a book
Learning disability: An impairment relating to comprehension, e.g. Dyslexia

Numbers from Statistics Canada suggest that about 10% of Canadians have a print disability.

How do I access services?

A person meeting at least one of the above criteria for a print disability can register with their library as a print disabled patron:

Fill out an eligibility form. These are also available at your local library. Give the completed form to your local librarian.
Register for a library card at your local library. If you already have a library card, the librarian will update your account when you give them your eligibility form.

Accessing NNELS

Once you have completed the registration steps above, you can immediately access NNELS materials.

Visit the NNELS website: nnels.ca
Login using your library barcode and password
Browse or Search their collection
Titles are available as digital files in a variety of formats.
The files can be downloaded and played on many different devices such as a computer, iPod, iPad, iPhone, Tablet or Victor Stream Reader.

Accessing CELA

To access CELA materials, in addition to the steps above, patrons must self-register online on CELA's website.

CELA materials are available in a variety of formats including:

Books and magazines in audio, e-text and braille
Newspapers in e-text
Described videos
Children’s picture books with braille added (printbraille)

Items can be sent directly to the patron in the mail, or to their local library branch. Digital items can be downloaded directly to a device.