Funding announced for winner of the Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge
Canada NewsWire
GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 3, 2021
GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada continues to take action to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion. That is why Employment and Social Development Canada partnered with Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to create the Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge, to encourage small businesses to innovate, and help increase access to physical and digital alternate format materials for Canadians with print disabilities.
Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2021, the Minister of Employment Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough announced that Mr. Tim Rees is the small business winner of Phase One of the Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge. Mr. Rees, who identifies as a person with a disability, will receive funding of up to $150,000 to develop his innovative concept for an assistive voice-app that would include new software and the use of smart speakers. The app would give publishers the ability to upload their creative works to audio format instantly. It would then allow the end user to have books, publications or other resources read aloud through the smart speaker, and to navigate the documents using voice commands.
Technology has modernized and simplified the ways in which we are able to connect with one another. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also played a huge role in breaking down barriers, especially for persons with disabilities. Technology innovators have been key players in disability inclusion through digitalization, by building tools that allow persons with disabilities to have better access to resources, creating greater opportunities for full participation, which would have otherwise not been available.
In keeping with the theme of IDPD 2021, "Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world", the Government of Canada is investing to ensure that persons with print disabilities in Canada have equal opportunities to participate in society and realize their full potential.
Quotes
"When everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in society from the start, we all succeed and leave no one behind. The Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge supports this objective. It promotes inclusivity by design and helps to ensure persons with disabilities have better opportunities to read, learn and enjoy books and other print material."
– Minister of Employment, Workforce and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough
"We are helping entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas to overcome some of today's biggest challenges. This assistive voice-app will help ensure that all Canadians with print disabilities have access to alternate format reading materials."
– Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry - François-Philippe Champagne
Quick facts
Links
Making an accessible Canada for persons with disabilities
Prime Minister announces support for Canadians with disabilities to address challenges from COVID-19
Statement by Minister Qualtrough on the anniversary of the Accessible Canada Act
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada