The Library Services for People with a Print Disability Survey executive summary is now available at the BC Library Association (BCLA) website.

The BCLA’s Services to People with Print Disabilities Working Group (SPPD) and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) jointly conducted this online survey of people with print disabilities. In November/December 2011 the survey was completed by 101 people across BC.

Excerpts from the report:
“The majority of respondents were over 40, with half being in the 41 to 64 year old age bracket. The respondents primarily identified as visually disabled or blind.”

Ninety-four percent of survey respondents preferred to borrow rather than purchase reading material. “Cost was the main reason for a vast majority of the respondents, as many were on fixed incomes due to disability. Other reasons include the fact that books are usually only read once and there was no need to keep them, space concerns and that the library was a convenient place to borrow materials.”

Read more from the executive summary at: http://tinyurl.com/7o5mrrc

The Tetra Society of North America provides custom-made assistive devices to its clients upon request. Since 1987, its volunteers have created thousands of devices for children and adults with disabilities.  The devices they’ve created have ranged from safety- conscious items like wheelchair lights for nighttime travel, to artists’ brush-holders.

Visit Tetra Society’s website to learn more about them. To request a custom device, fill out their online order form.

If you or anyone you know is in need of accessible housing, please contact the Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation. They have vacancies at two housing sites:

Fraserwood Apartments
22450 -121st Maple Ridge BC
2 bedroom
Bathroom type – grab bars, willing to install wheel in shower
Full RGI
Available immediately
Contact Manjit Thiara 604-451-6075

Somerset Gardens
1851 Southmere Crescent East
2 bedroom
Bathroom type – wheel in shower
$875
Market or full RGI
Available immediately
Contact Barry 604-315-8270 or Bev 604-451-6064