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Abilities Magazine
| November 24th, 2004 | |
The ForumVoiceprint CanadaSpring 2004. Issue 58: p. 44 Forum(Tune in to VoicePrint Canada today and hear the latest stories from more than 100 Canadian newspapers and magazines!) It�s a ritual that takes place millions of times a day � one that most people take for granted. A cup of coffee or tea is poured. The newspaper is picked up. And an individual begins to flip through the printed pages, immersing him or herself in the latest local, regional and national news. But what about the 3.2 million Canadians who can�t independently access newspapers or magazines? Where can they find more in-depth news and information than that offered by TV and radio broadcasters? The answer: VoicePrint Canada � the world�s largest national broadcast reading service � which, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, airs news and information from Canada�s top publications. Ever since VoicePrint Canada went on the air in 1990, listeners have said that it has improved the quality of their lives. For example: �I have low vision, which makes it difficult to read extensively,� says a listener in Nepean, Ontario. �But on VoicePrint they read complete articles and I can keep up to date. I listen to it almost every evening for a couple of hours and on Saturday morning. With it, I feel that I am keeping up with the world. Without it, I am an island.� Or this tribute from a Courtney, B.C., listener: �My husband has a brain injury and he listens to VoicePrint at all hours of the day and night. It�s a lifeline for him � and an excellent service for many people, particularly those who are unable to see or who can�t concentrate very well.� If you or someone you know � whether for reasons of blindness, illiteracy, paralysis, low vision, learning disability, or other disability resulting from an accident or old age � can make use of VoicePrint�s valuable services, here are a few other things you should know about us: WHERE TO FIND VOICEPRINT * On cable TV via the secondary audio program (SAP) of CBC Newsworld (for assistance in accessing the SAP, call 1-800-567-6755) * Through satellite and other direct-to-home services such as Star Choice, ExpressVu, Look TV, Skycable, etc. * at www.voiceprintcanada.com DESCRIPTION � YOU SHOULD HEAR IT To help people with no or low vision enjoy movies in their mind�s eye, we created AudioVision Canada (AVC). Technicians and writers at AVC enhance such well-known films as The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, The 39 Steps, Trudeau and To Kill a Mockingbird. They add an unobtrusive aural track � one that clearly and concisely describes the key visual elements of a film or video production � to video, audiocassette, CD and DVD recordings. Many people have said that the process, called �audio description,� does for people with no and low vision what closed captioning does for those who are deaf. AVC now has more than 425 titles in its library of described films, all of which are available free of charge at your local library, or may be purchased individually by calling, toll-free, 1-800-567-6755, ext. 228, or visiting www.audiovision.ca. HOW TO REACH US Write to VoicePrint Canada or AudioVision Canada at our national office, located at 150 Laird Drive Annex, Toronto, Ontario, M4G 3V7. Or call us at 1-800-567-6755. HOW TO HELP US Become a Friend of VoicePrint. After 13 years of broadcasting, we�ve learned many things, one of the most important of which is that our very survival depends on the efforts and financial support of our friends. We invite you now to become one of them through our expanded membership program. You would be doing your part to ensure that we continue to operate and serve millions of Canadians as their in-depth news and information lifeline. To find out more about Friends of VoicePrint and the benefits we offer, please call 1-800-567-6755.
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