Update September 26, 2025
As of September 25, Canada Post workers have gone on strike.
CELA has suspended the production and mailing of physical materials including embossed braille and printbraille, and we will hold any Envoy Connect devices that have been returned to us until the strike is resolved.
Please note that CELA no longer offers CDs. That service concluded on July 31, 2025.
What services are affected?
Any services which rely on Canada Post distribution will be affected. This includes Envoy Connect reloading, embossed braille, and printbraille.
Can you send materials by courier services?
No, unfortunately that is not an option at this time.
How can I get books during the strike?
Please reach out to your local library to see how they may be able to help you.
- If you use embossed braille, you can download digital braille files for use with braille readers. Learn how to download an electronic braille book.
- If you have an Envoy Connect you can download books directly onto your Envoy Connect. Learn more about the Envoy Connect.
- If you have an Alexa smart speaker you can use the Accessible Reading Canada skill to read CELA books. Learn more Accessible Reading Canada.
- If you have a smartphone or tablet you can use the free EasyReader app to read your books.
- If you have a DAISY player, you can download books directly from our website. It is also possible to download books to a computer and use an SD card to transfer those books to a DAISY player with an SD card option.
How to transfer a zip file to a USB stick or SD card for DAISY players (Video) - How to transfer a DAISY .zip book to your Victor Reader Stratus
Update May 23, 2025
From the Canada Post website: The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has launched a nationwide overtime ban for employees in both the Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units. As a result, Canada Post will continue operating but customers may experience delays. At this time, there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppage.
CELA will continue to produce and mail physical materials including CDs, embossed braille, printbraille, and Envoy Connect returns
as long as Canada Post is able to deliver them. We will monitor the situation and update the blog if the situation shifts.
We are aware of the potential for a Canada Post service disruption as early as May 23, 2025. We know that Canada Post service is crucial to our users who rely on physical materials including CDs, embossed braille, printbraille, and Envoy Connect returns.
As we have in the past, we will continue to produce and distribute reading materials to our users if there is a rotating postal service. If there is a full stoppage of services, we will cease production of CDs and physical braille until the service disruption is resolved.
CELA has resources available to assist you in accessing materials in digital formats.
- CD transition resources
- Guides for the Envoy Connect, EasyReader app and other resources.
- Upcoming webinars and training session to learn the many ways to read CELA audiobooks
Information about how the Canada Post service disruption will impact libraries will be sent by email.
Please watch our blog, website and social media for updates.
We hope for all involved that any service disruption will be short or allow for continued deliveries on a reduced schedule to lessen the impacts on our users.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
