Students with Perceptual Disabilities
Students with perceptual disabilities are a diverse set of learners with a wide range of access requirements. Section 32(1) of the Copyright Act of Canada defines a perceptual disability as:
“A disability that prevents or inhibits a person from reading or hearing a literary, musical, dramatic or artistic work in its original format, and includes such a disability resulting from:
- severe or total impairment of sight or hearing or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes
- the inability to hold or manipulate a book, or
- an impairment relating to comprehension”
– Copyright Act of Canada [R.S., 1985, c. C-42, s. 2]
Generally, these refer to three groups of students:
- Students with visual impairments
- Students with physical disabilities
- Students with comprehension (learning) disabilities.
Under Section 32(1) of the Copyright Act, ARC-BC is able to produce digital alternate format versions of primary learning materials (e.g., textbooks, novels, worktexts) on behalf of students with perceptual (or print) disabilities. This copyright exemption in the legislation is intended to allow for meaningful access for learners who would not otherwise be able to access content via traditional formats (i.e., hard copy printed materials).
ARC-BC Eligibility
Eligibility determination for the use of digital alternate format materials from ARC-BC [...]