National Guidelines for the Production of e-Text

Origin of the National Guidelines for e-Text Production 

The first national e-Text style sheet was developed by Braille Literacy Canada, then known as the Canadian Braille Authority (CBA). The “Canadian Braille Authority Guidelines for the Production of e-Text.” was authored by the English Braille Standards Committee and last updated on March 31, 2004. 

What is e-Text? 

Generally, the term e-Text refers to any document that is read in digital form. In this context, e-Text refers to an accessible digital document designed to be fully compatible with screen reading software and refreshable braille displays. Information presented visually in the original source has been replaced or supplemented with text-based alternatives. Within the educational alternate format community, e‑Text documents are most often produced using Microsoft Word or similar tools. 

Modernizing and Harmonizing e-Text Guidelines

The Canadian Association of Educational Resource Centres for Alternate Format Materials (CAER) is a network of publicly funded centres across Canada that provide accessible educational materials for students with print/perceptual disabilities. For many years, CAER members used the guidelines established in the original national standard. However, by 2023, increasing variation in e-Text production practices across Canada highlighted the need for updated and harmonized guidance. In response, CAER convened a working group to develop a pan-Canadian style sheet. The result of this multi-year effort is the modernized National Guidelines for the Production of e-Text. 

Access the new guidelines 

Download the guidelines via the following link: National Guidelines for the Production of e-Text (DOCX)

Stay Connected 

Join our email list to be kept informed of changes and corrections to the National Guidelines for the Production of e-Text. For more information and to subscribe, please visit https://blc-lbc.groups.io/g/etext-announce.

Have a question, comment or correction?

Please use the form embedded below to submit your questions, comments, or corrections. A member of the CAER e-Text Working Group will respond.