The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is seeking $184,000 from the province to help provide library services for people with vision loss. It’s also hoping Ottawa will shell out $7.8 million over two years to support accessible library services nationwide.
CNIB’s executive director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Dalcy-Ann Selymes said the libraries do not provide information in formats everyone can read.
"Saskatchewan citizens who are blind, or partially sighted have the right to read," Selymes said in a press release.
According to the organization, the lack of funds could risk compromising the right to read for about 25,000 Saskatchewan residents. Through donations, the CNIB operates Canada’s largest library of braille and accessible audio materials. The charity announced it can no longer sustain the $10 million in annual operating cost of the service without government help.
"We need Prime Minister Harper and Premier Wall to partner with us to sustain this lifeline to literacy," Selymes said.
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