This year CELA turns 10 and it’s time to celebrate!
The Centre for Equitable Library Access, CELA, is a national not-for-profit organization that provides accessible reading services to the approximately 3 million people across Canada with print disabilities. CELA provides access to a collection of over 1 million titles in multiple accessible formats, including audio, braille, printbraille and text. Their services ensure that people with print disabilities across the country are more able to fully participate in learning, work, and community life and contribute to the social, cultural, and economic development and success of their local and broader communities.
CELA was established in April 2014 as a new, publicly-funded, non-profit organization with the goal of supporting and assisting public libraries in delivering accessible library materials to Canadians with print disabilities in equal measure to that which is enjoyed by other members of their community.
Launched under the auspices of public libraries and with the assistance of CNIB, CELA assumed service responsibilities of the former CNIB Library and inherited some of its knowledgeable and dedicated staff who have helped CELA grow to be Canada’s leading accessible library service.
CELA is publicly funded through provincial and territorial governments, and through direct subscriptions from libraries and library systems.
Learn more about the federal government’s proposed Equitable Access to Reading program
CULC/CBUC Members have been supporters of CELA from the original planning through to promoting CELA’s services at their libraries.
Take a look back at the last ten years to see what’s changed since CELA was established and how these changes are shaping equitable reading for all.
https://celalibrary.ca/blog/celebrating-celas-10th-anniversary