Official Languages committee  You've asked a very interesting question. It also brings us around to discussing new definitions for the roles that people play in society. I would just like to clarify one thing. When you talk about audio recordings, that is an alternative media format, just as braille and large print are alternative formats.

Official Languages committee  It is Grade I braille, and there are no capitals or indicators. It simply says INLB.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  Of course we are not going to simply throw everything we have into the garbage can; we are keeping our collections. Access to Grade I one braille remains quite easy, because the changes that have been made are all in the layout rules. For future production, everyone agrees that it will be very easy for braille users to have access to these documents.

Official Languages committee  Let us take the example of the Ontario and Manitoba Departments of Education. They deal with Quebec producers for the adaptation of documents. Clearly, we will be applying these new presentation rules for braille in French. I do not know what happened or did not happen regarding the implementation, training and raising of awareness in areas outside Quebec.

Official Languages committee  When they want to transcribe a document, they turn to Quebec producers. The CNIB in Toronto also does this. The production is shared between Toronto and Quebec, because the CNIB can also meet the needs of francophones for texts in braille. In Quebec the IRDPQ is the umbrella group in charge.

Official Languages committee  They can also turn to these people. The school boards—

Official Languages committee  They can provide it, but I would not want to answer for them.

Official Languages committee  That's right, they'll pick up a document and will explore it in the same way, and come across the same indicators. For example, the indicator .12 means that what follows is in bold. This really has to do with the rules for document layout and symbol use. But that's a long-term project that we are just getting into.

Official Languages committee  Each network has taken charge of training, awareness building, and implementation. And each network is going to ensure that these individuals are properly trained.

Official Languages committee  There are two parts to my answer to this question. First, as regards education, there are adaptation services available which allow universities and CEGEPs, as well as elementary and high schools, to have access to people who will produce the documents. Of course, creating a document and transcribing it into braille does take some time.

Official Languages committee  I think so. I'm not sure of the amount.

Official Languages committee  It does give some money to the committee.

Official Languages committee  Money is often one of the main issues. In order for an organization to operate properly, it must have some financial leverage. English is by far the main focus of the Canadian Braille Authority. And that's one of the reasons why Quebec stakeholders in the community have taken matters into their own hands.

Official Languages committee  Not yet. The process is underway, and I can tell you that it is tumultuous.