Closed
Equitable Access to Reading Program
Expands access to alternate format reading materials
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : June 19, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
Up to $6 million per project is available to increase alternate format reading materials for people with print disabilities. Eligible work includes production from existing materials, acquisition, distribution, training, innovation, and partnership work.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : June 19, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Production of new alternate format reading materials from existing print materials for people with print disabilities.
- Production in English, French, and one or more Indigenous languages.
- Production of non-fiction and other non-novel publications.
- Production in multiple alternate formats such as braille, audio, DAISY, EPUB3 or accessible PDF, and large print.
- Eligible acquisition, awareness, distribution, training, innovation, and partnership activities that support access to alternate formats.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form, including attestation
- Budget Detail Template
- Proof of partnerships or letters of partnership intent, if applicable
- Proof of contributions from other sources, if applicable
- CRA business number documents, or governance documents with a short rationale if no BN
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- National, regional, or local not-for-profit organizations
- Indigenous organizations, including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities
- Public-sector organizations, including municipal libraries, library associations, and provincial or territorial educational, health, social services, and university institutions
- Small Canadian for-profit organizations with 99 employees or fewer
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- Provincial and territorial governments
- Publishers
Eligible expenses
- Staff wages and employment-related costs, including disability supports for staff
- Professional service fees and contracted services
- Materials, supplies, and equipment
- Printing, communications, travel, and equipment lease, purchase, or maintenance
- Project audits, evaluations, monitoring, reporting, data collection, knowledge development, and other related administrative costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Direct financial support to publishers to produce accessible books
- Translating reading materials into another language, including ASL or LSQ, to convert them into alternate formats
- Direct funding for assistive devices, aids, or technology
- Developing webpages or websites, library services, interlibrary loans, catalogues or repositories, and mailing accessible books
- International travel, accommodations, hospitality, conference fees, utilities, insurance, and rental of premises
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in three stages: eligibility screening, assessment of the program objective, and selection of a diverse range of projects.
- If mandatory information is missing, the department may contact you and you must respond within 5 business days.
- If an organization submits more than one application, only the first one received is reviewed.
- Funding decisions are expected by October 2024, and decisions are final with no appeal process.
- Approved projects cannot start activities or incur expenses until the funding agreement is signed.
Additional information
- An official representative must complete the attestation section.
- If supporting documents are missing, the department may request them and give 5 business days to respond.
- Projects with partners need a letter of partnership intent for each partner.
- Contracted production may require additional reporting, including separate administrative and project costs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Equitable Access to Reading Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Equitable Access to Reading Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Equitable Access to Reading Program?
Up to $6 million per project is available to increase alternate format reading materials for people with print disabilities. Eligible work includes production from existing materials, acquisition, distribution, training, innovation, and partnership work.
Who is eligible for the Equitable Access to Reading Program program?
To be eligible for the Equitable Access to Reading Program program, you must:
Located and operating in Canada
Eligible not-for-profit, public-sector, or small for-profit organization
Project to produce alternate format reading materials for people with print disabilities
What expenses are eligible under Equitable Access to Reading Program?
Production of new alternate format reading materials from existing print materials for people with print disabilities.
Production in English, French, and one or more Indigenous languages.
Production of non-fiction and other non-novel publications.
Production in multiple alternate formats such as braille, audio, DAISY, EPUB3 or accessible PDF, and large print.
Eligible acquisition, awareness, distribution, training, innovation, and partnership activities that support access to alternate formats.
Who can I contact for more information about the Equitable Access to Reading Program?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at EDSC.PAEL-EARP.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca.
Where is the Equitable Access to Reading Program available?
The Equitable Access to Reading Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Equitable Access to Reading Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Equitable Access to Reading Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Equitable Access to Reading Program?
Equitable Access to Reading Program is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)