The Canadian Union Postal Workers Union has gone on strike as of Friday, November 15.
This strike may impact the CELA services you use. Here is what is important to know:
- Our digital services will not be affected by a Canada Post strike.
- If there is a full strike, we will pause production and distribution of audiobook CDs, embossed braille, and printbraille until the strike is resolved.
- If there is a rotating strike, we will pause production and distribution for 2 weeks to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
- If you put a book on hold for delivery in a physical format, you will receive a notification that the hold will be fulfilled when the strike is resolved.
- In the event of a either strike or rotating strike, users should not return their Envoy Connect devices or printbraille books by mail until after the strike is resolved.
Our intention is to resume production and distribution of audiobook CDs, embossed braille and printbraille when the strike is resolved.
Options for accessible reading materials
- Consider using CELA’s digital services if that is available to you. We have resources on our website to help.
- Reach out to your local public library to see what services they may have to assist you. Some have a collection of CELA CDs, or preloaded players which can be borrowed by their patrons.
- Ask a friend or family member to help you download books. Books can be added DAISY players Audiobooks can be played on a phone or tablet using the free EasyReader app. The Envoy Connect player is a low cost, easy to use device which can be loaded with books using our free CELA connect software. Learn more about the Envoy Connect Player.
We know how important reading is for our users, and we will do everything we can to help you access reading materials during this Canada Post service disruption. For more information about ways to access CELA books digitally, please visit our blog.
What can our users do?
If you haven’t tried our digital services, now might be the perfect opportunity.
Digital access allows you to get books directly to your devices quickly and without worrying about delays due to weather, mail volume or holiday hours.
- If you use an Envoy Connect player, you can download books using a simple, free program called CELA Connect. Learn more:
Envoy Connect and CELA Connect help pages
CELA Connect Software video tutorial
- If you use a DAISY player or the EasyReader app on your phone or tablet to read your books, our Direct to Player service could be for you. Learn more:
Direct to Player Service
How to get a zip file from the CELA website video tutorial
- Need some extra help managing your CELA account? You can set a designate who might be a family member or a friend, or someone who typically helps you with choosing your books. A designate can help you to manage your account and select and download books on your behalf. Call our Contact Centre if you would like to add a designate to your account. Learn more about designates on our website.
What can libraries do?
In the event of a mail disruption, your CELA patrons who rely on physical materials may turn to you for assistance. You can help them by:
- Promoting your DAISY CD deposit collection if you have one.
- Downloading CELA titles and delivering them to patrons on a CD or USB.
- Providing technical assistance for those who would like to download books directly on to their devices
- Circulating devices such as an Envoy Connect or Daisy Player which have preloaded books.
- Offering to download books onto patrons’ devices directly.
Additional information including tutorials can be found on our Public Libraries page.
