Reports on Disability and Accessibility in Canada
Print material accessibility in Canada, 2023
Key findings
- Among the 5.2 million Canadians who indicated they had a difficulty with print material, 77.4% had difficulty seeing words in print, 25.0% had difficulty holding or turning pages of print material, and 42.2% had difficulty reading or understanding words in print.
- Over one-third (35.8%) of those who had difficulties with print materials use reading materials in at least one alternate format.
- The most commonly used alternate formats were large print versions, accessible file formats and audio formats.
- Younger Canadians who had difficulties with print material were more likely than their older counterparts to report unmet needs for alternate formats.
- Around seven in ten persons who had difficulties with print material encountered at least one barrier when trying to access the alternate formats they needed.
Introduction
Following the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) in 2019, an increased emphasis has been placed on identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility, to support the goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040. Many Canadians experience barriers in different areas of their daily lives, including obtaining print material in formats that are accessible to them. These formats can include large print, electronic, audio, or braille versions or documents that have accessibility features built in. It has been previously estimated that only 5-7% of published products are made available in an alternate format.Note
A better understanding of the characteristics of those with difficulties with print material and the barriers they face when accessing the formats they need can lead to improved design and delivery of programs and services to better support and meet the needs of this population.
Using data from the Survey on Accessible Print Materials (SAPM), this report examines the experiences of persons with difficulties with print material. It explores the use of assistive devices for difficulties with print material, requirements for alternate formats, how these alternate formats are accessed, and barriers to accessing them.
Around 5.2 million Canadians report a difficulty with print material
According to the Survey on Accessible Print Materials (SAPM), around 5.2 million Canadians had a difficulty with print material in 2023.Note When examined by type of difficulty reported, 77.4% had difficulty seeing words in print, 25.0% had difficulty holding or turning pages of print material, and 42.2% had difficulty reading or understanding words in print (Table 1).Note Note
| Number | Percent | 95% confidence interval | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lower | upper | |||
| percent | ||||
| Difficulty seeing words in print | ||||
| Total | 3,981,650 | 77.4 | 75.4 | 79.4 |
| Gender | ||||
| Men+ (reference category) | 2,292,090 | 79.9 | 77.3 | 82.4 |
| Women+ | 1,689,560 | 74.3Note * | 71.4 | 77.2 |
| Age group | ||||
| 15 to 34 years (reference category) | 509,610 | 59.7 | 55.0 | 64.4 |
| 35 to 64 years | 1,869,890 | 82.3Note * | 79.6 | 85.1 |
| 65 years and older | 1,602,150 | 79.4Note * | 76.2 | 82.6 |
| Difficulty holding or turning pages of print material | ||||
| Total | 1,285,080 | 25.0 | 23.0 | 27.0 |
| Gender | ||||
| Men+ (reference category) | 687,210 | 23.9 | 21.3 | 26.6 |
| Women+ | 597,870 | 26.4 | 23.3 | 29.4 |
| Age group | ||||
| 15 to 34 years (reference category) | 180,810 | 21.1 | 17.2 | 25.0 |
| 35 to 64 years | 452,590 | 19.9 | 17.2 | 22.7 |
| 65 years and older | 651,680 | 32.4Note * | 28.8 | 36.0 |
| Difficulty reading or understanding words in print | ||||
| Total | 2,171,680 | 42.2 | 40.0 | 44.5 |
| Gender | ||||
| Men+ (reference category) | 1,150,960 | 40.1 | 37.1 | 43.2 |
| Women+ | 1,020,720 | 44.9Note * | 41.5 | 48.3 |
| Age group | ||||
| 15 to 34 years (reference category) | 512,400 | 60.1 | 55.5 | 64.7 |
| 35 to 64 years | 835,130 | 36.7Note * | 33.4 | 40.0 |
| 65 years and older | 824,150 | 40.9Note * | 36.9 | 44.9 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Accessible Print Materials, 2023. |
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Women were less likely to report having a difficulty seeing words in print, but more likely to report difficulties with reading or understanding words in print, when compared to men.Note Note Note There were no gender differences in terms of reporting a difficulty related to holding or turning the pages of print material. Those aged 65 years and older were more likely to have difficulty holding or turning the pages of print material (32.4%) than those aged 15 to 34 years (21.1%). Younger Canadians (aged 15 to 34 years) were the least likely to report having a difficulty seeing words in print (59.7%), compared to their older counterparts (aged 35 to 64 years or 65 years and older; 82.3%, 79.4% respectively). Conversely, those aged 15 to 34 years were more likely to report having difficulties related to reading or understanding words in print (60.1%), compared to the older age groups (aged 35 to 64 years or 65 years and older; 36.7%, 40.9% respectively).
Most persons with difficulties with print material use at least one assistive aid, device or technology
Assistive aids, devices or technologies can assist persons who have difficulties or disabilities with a variety of tasks and activities. The majority (85.2%) of those with difficulties with print material reported using at least one assistive aid, device or technology because of their condition. Eye glasses or contact lenses (77.3%), magnifiers (17.0%), and large print reading materials (16.1%) were the most commonly used assistive aids, devices or technologies.
Men were more likely than women to use at least one assistive aid, device or technology (Table 2). Use of assistive aids, devices or technologies increased with age. About three-quarters (74.1%) of those aged 15 to 34 years use at least one assistive aid, device or technology, while 85.1% of those aged 35 to 64 years and 89.9% of those aged 65 years and older reported usage. Additionally, differences emerged when the use of assistive aids, devices or technologies was examined by education and income. Those with a high school graduation or less (82.3%) were less likely to use at least one assistive aid, device or technology, compared with those with some postsecondary education (87.6%) and those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (89.4%). Assistive aid, device or technology use was higher among those with an income of $60,000 or more (88.8%) when compared to those whose income was under $20,000 (81.2%).Note
| Uses at least one assistive aid, device, or technology | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| number | percent | 95% confidence interval | ||
| lower | upper | |||
| percent | ||||
| Gender | ||||
| Men+ (reference category) | 2,477,420 | 87.7 | 85.6 | 89.8 |
| Women+ | 1,850,230 | 82.1Note * | 79.5 | 84.6 |
| Age group | ||||
| 15 to 34 years (reference category) | 620,390 | 74.1 | 69.8 | 78.3 |
| 35 to 64 years | 1,916,140 | 85.1Note * | 82.6 | 87.6 |
| 65 years and older | 1,791,120 | 89.9Note * | 87.6 | 92.3 |
| Racialized population category | ||||
| Racialized | 708,350 | 84.7 | 80.8 | 88.6 |
| Non-racialized (reference category) | 3,478,480 | 85.7 | 83.9 | 87.6 |
| Indigenous identity | ||||
| Indigenous identity | 146,090 | 76.1 | 65.3 | 86.9 |
| Non-Indigenous identity (reference category) | 4,181,560 | 85.6 | 83.9 | 87.2 |
| Place of residence | ||||
| Urban area (reference category) | 3,602,150 | 85.2 | 83.4 | 86.9 |
| Rural area | 725,500 | 85.4 | 81.2 | 89.6 |
| Educational attainment | ||||
| High school graduation or less (reference category) | 1,949,320 | 82.3 | 79.7 | 85.0 |
| Some postsecondary education or certificate or diploma | 1,425,940 | 87.6Note * | 85.0 | 90.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 894,960 | 89.4Note * | 86.4 | 92.4 |
| Labour force status | ||||
| Employed (reference category) | 1,785,540 | 83.5 | 80.9 | 86.1 |
| Unemployed | 258,710 | 83.8 | 77.0 | 90.5 |
| Not in the labour force | 2,225,960 | 87.3Note * | 85.1 | 89.6 |
| First official language | ||||
| English (reference category) | 3,387,970 | 85.5 | 83.7 | 87.4 |
| French | 767,820 | 83.8 | 79.6 | 88.0 |
| Other | 171,860Note E: Use with caution | 84.7Note E: Use with caution | 75.5 | 93.8 |
| Total after-tax income | ||||
| Under $20,000 (reference category) | 1,016,480 | 81.2 | 77.9 | 84.6 |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 1,602,940 | 87.1Note * | 84.4 | 89.7 |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 916,960 | 83.6 | 79.9 | 87.3 |
| $60,000 and over | 791,280 | 88.8Note * | 85.2 | 92.4 |
E use with caution
Data on Indigenous respondents are not included in the racialized population category. Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Accessible Print Materials, 2023. |
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Just over one in ten (11.2%) Canadians who had difficulties with print material reported that they needed an assistive aid, device or technology that they did not have access to. The top three cited reasons for having these unmet needs were cost (61.7%), being unsure how or where to get them (40.9%), and not knowing how to use them (28.6%).
The most used alternate formats are large print versions
Among those who had difficulties with print material, just over half (51.5%) indicated they require at least one alternate format. Persons who require alternate formats include those who reported that they use alternate formats and those who would use alternate formats if they were available to them. Men (55.6%) were more likely than women (46.2%) to report requiring alternate formats (Table 3). The proportion requiring alternate formats was higher among racialized populationsNote (63.9%) than the non-racialized and non-Indigenous population (48.8%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher were more likely to require alternate formats (55.7%) than those with a high school graduation or less (49.0%). Additionally, those whose first official language is English were more likely to need alternate formats (52.2%) than those whose first official language is French (45.3%).
| Require at least one alternate format | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| number | percent | 95% confidence interval | ||
| lower | upper | |||
| percent | ||||
| Gender | ||||
| Men+ (reference category) | 1,484,260 | 55.6 | 52.5 | 58.7 |
| Women+ | 977,410 | 46.2Note * | 42.7 | 49.8 |
| Age group | ||||
| 15 to 34 years (reference category) | 436,800 | 54.6 | 49.8 | 59.5 |
| 35 to 64 years | 1,098,470 | 51.4 | 47.9 | 54.9 |
| 65 years and older | 926,390 | 50.2 | 46.0 | 54.3 |
| Racialized population category | ||||
| Racialized | 487,870 | 63.9Note * | 58.5 | 69.4 |
| Non-racialized (reference category) | 1,872,020 | 48.8 | 46.0 | 51.5 |
| Indigenous identity | ||||
| Indigenous identity | 104,300 | 56.0Note E: Use with caution | 43.7 | 68.3 |
| Non-Indigenous identity (reference category) | 2,357,370 | 51.3 | 48.8 | 53.7 |
| Place of residence | ||||
| Urban area (reference category) | 2,077,780 | 52.2 | 49.6 | 54.9 |
| Rural area | 383,890 | 47.8 | 42.0 | 53.6 |
| Educational attainment | ||||
| High school graduation or less (reference category) | 1,085,110 | 49.0 | 45.4 | 52.7 |
| Some postsecondary education or certificate or diploma | 800,720 | 52.1 | 47.9 | 56.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 530,800 | 55.7Note * | 51.0 | 60.3 |
| Labour force status | ||||
| Employed (reference category) | 1,025,470 | 50.4 | 46.9 | 54.0 |
| Unemployed | 165,230 | 55.1 | 45.8 | 64.5 |
| Not in the labour force | 1,225,930 | 51.7 | 48.2 | 55.2 |
| First official language | ||||
| English (reference category) | 1,950,210 | 52.3 | 49.5 | 55.0 |
| French | 389,370 | 45.3Note * | 39.5 | 51.1 |
| Other | 122,090 | 64.7Note E: Use with caution | 51.6 | 77.8 |
| Total after-tax income | ||||
| Under $20,000 (reference category) | 624,650 | 53.6 | 49.2 | 58.0 |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 875,240 | 50.7 | 46.5 | 54.8 |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 532,150 | 51.7 | 46.5 | 56.9 |
| $60,000 and over | 429,630 | 49.9 | 44.4 | 55.4 |
E use with caution
Data on Indigenous respondents are not included in the racialized population category. Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Accessible Print Materials, 2023. |
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Overall, 35.8% of those with difficulties with print materials reported using reading materials in at least one alternate format. Of these individuals, 19.3% reported using one type of alternate format, while 16.5% indicated they used multiple alternate formats. The most commonly used types of alternate formats were large print materialsNote (63.1%), accessible file formatsNote (36.0%), or audio formatsNote (28.2%; Chart 1).
Data table for Chart 1
| Type of alternate format | Percent |
|---|---|
| Large print materials | 63.1 |
| Accessible file formats | 36.0 |
| Audio formats | 28.2 |
| Talking books or described video | 12.7 |
| Other | 4.5 |
| Braille or tactile graphics | 4.4 |
| Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Accessible Print Materials, 2023. | |
Among users of alternate formats, 26.7% used digital versionsNote while 19.1% used physical copy versions.Note There were no differences by gender in terms of likelihood of using digital versions, however, men were more likely to use physical copies of alternate formats (22.3%) than women (15.0%). There were differences shown by age as well. Younger users of alternate formats (aged 15 to 34 years) were more likely to use digital versions (36.5%), compared to older users (aged 65 years and older; 21.3%). In contrast, older Canadians (aged 65 years and older) who use alternate formats were more likely to use physical copies (23.1%) than their younger counterparts (aged 15 to 34 years; 14.9%).
Users of alternate formats most commonly reported receiving their formats from a book store (57.3%), either online or in person, and from the public library or a university or college library (55.4%; Chart 2). When asked how often they received alternate formats when needed, 21.7% of users of alternate formats indicated “always”, while another 20.3% indicated “often”. The proportion receiving their required alternate formats either “always” or “often” was similar by gender and by age group.
Data table for Chart 2
| Service provider of alternate format | Percent |
|---|---|
| Book store | 57.3 |
| Public, university or college library |
55.4 |
| Own production or conversion | 17.2 |
| National, local or community organization | 14.6 |
| Other | 6.0 |
| Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Accessible Print Materials, 2023. | |
Younger persons with difficulties with print material are more likely to have unmet needs for alternate formats
One-fifth (20.1%) of those with difficulties with print materials, who require alternate formats, reported that in the past two years there was a time they needed an alternate format but were unable to access it. The proportion reporting unmet needs for alternate formats was 19.5% among those with difficulties with seeing words in print. While unmet needs were reported by around 27% of both those with difficulties holding or turning pages of print material and those with difficulties reading or understanding words in print.
There were no significant differences in the proportion with unmet needs when examined by gender (Table 4). Younger Canadians (aged 15 to 34 years) with difficulties with print material were more likely than their older counterparts to report unmet needs for alternate formats. Unmet needs varied by education and income. Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher were more likely to have unmet needs related to alternate formats (24.1%) than those with a high school graduation or less (15.6%). Persons with difficulties with print material who had income under $20,000 were more likely to have unmet needs (23.3%) compared to those with income of $60,000 or more (13.9%). In addition, unmet needs for alternate formats were higher among those whose first official language is English (22.0%) than French (14.8%).
| Unmet needs for alternate formats in the past two years | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| number | percent | 95% confidence interval | ||
| lower | upper | |||
| percent | ||||
| Gender | ||||
| Men+ (reference category) | 245,850 | 18.3 | 15.0 | 21.6 |
| Women+ | 201,770 | 22.9 | 18.2 | 27.5 |
| Age group | ||||
| 15 to 34 years (reference category) | 103,590 | 27.3 | 20.8 | 33.7 |
| 35 to 64 years | 217,790 | 21.7 | 17.4 | 25.9 |
| 65 years and older | 126,240 | 15.0Note * | 10.7 | 19.3 |
| Place of residence | ||||
| Urban area (reference category) | 370,980 | 19.7 | 16.7 | 22.7 |
| Rural area | 76,640 | 22.3 | 15.1 | 29.5 |
| Educational attainment | ||||
| High school graduation or less (reference category) | 147,610 | 15.6 | 11.6 | 19.5 |
| Some postsecondary education or certificate or diploma | 156,810 | 21.3 | 16.4 | 26.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 121,980 | 24.1Note * | 18.5 | 29.8 |
| First official language | ||||
| English (reference category) | 387,280 | 22.0 | 18.8 | 25.2 |
| French | 53,180 | 14.8Note * | 8.5 | 21.1 |
| Other | Note F: too unreliable to be published | Note F: too unreliable to be published | Note F: too unreliable to be published | Note F: too unreliable to be published |
| Total after-tax income | ||||
| Under $20,000 (reference category) | 129,160 | 23.3 | 17.8 | 28.8 |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 140,220 | 17.7 | 12.9 | 22.4 |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 122,500 | 25.7 | 19.4 | 32.0 |
| $60,000 and over | 55,750 | 13.9Note * | 8.4 | 19.4 |
F too unreliable to be published
|
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Cost is often cited as a barrier to accessing alternate format material
Among those who require alternate formats, 69.5% indicated they encountered at least one barrier when accessing them. Cost (29.7%), unavailability of the alternate format of choice (28.3%), and difficulty finding information (22.9%; Chart 3) were the most commonly cited as barriers to accessing alternate formats. Persons with difficulties with print materials who required multiple types of alternate formats were more likely to report a barrier (74.0%) than those who required one type of format (61.5%).
Data table for Chart 3
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| Cost | 29.7 |
| Not available in format of choice | 28.3 |
| Difficulty finding information | 22.9 |
| Lack of skills | 19.9 |
| No access to the technology needed | 17.3 |
| Lacks accessibility features | 14.5 |
| Not enough copies | 14.1 |
| Technology needs repair or upgrade | 12.1 |
| Difficulty getting to service provider | 9.1 |
| Product was lower quality than expected | 7.2 |
| Not able to ship to my community | 5.1 |
| Other | 3.1 |
| Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Accessible Print Materials, 2023. | |
Technology is frequently used to access alternate format material
Around two-thirds (61.2%) of those who use alternate formats reported that they used the Internet to do so in the past two years. In terms of devices used to access alternate formats, a smartphone (67.5%) or a laptop or netbook (60.6%) were the most commonly used devices. Most users of alternate formats reported using technology to access their alternate formats either daily (41.2%) or weekly (31.7%).
When asked how they felt about their skills in terms of using the required technology for reading their alternate format material, almost seven in ten (68.3%) alternate format users indicated their skills were “very adequate” or “adequate”. In terms of training, close to half (47.4%) of users of alternate formats reported they would take training or participate in learning activities to improve their skills related to the use of computers, devices, softwares or applications.
Conclusion
This article provides some key insights from the 2023 SAPM regarding the experiences of those who had difficulties with print material and some information on the access to the materials these individuals require in alternate formats. While improving access to information in accessible formats has been highlighted as an important goal in Canada, the research in this area is somewhat limited, making this an important data gap to be filled.
The present findings indicate that over half of the population who had difficulties with print material need alternate formats, while one-fifth of these individuals have not been able to access all the alternate format material they need. Cost was reported as both the top reason for unmet needs for assistive aids, devices or technologies and for alternate formats and it was the number one barrier encountered when accessing alternate format materials. Among users of alternate formats, digital versions were often selected, particularly among younger Canadians.
A number of key sociodemographic differences emerged as well. Men were more likely than women to both use an assistive aid, device or technology and require alternate format material. There were some variations by education and income level. Those with higher education and income were more likely to use assistive aids, devices or technologies than their counterparts with lower education and income levels. Higher education and lower income levels were associated with higher unmet needs. Unmet needs were also higher among younger persons with difficulties with print material, compared to older persons with difficulties with print material.
Use of technology to access alternate formats was high among persons with difficulties with print material. While a high proportion of Canadians that use alternate formats feel they have adequate skills to use the technology needed, many would still opt to take training to improve their skills if it was offered.
Due to sample size limitations, disaggregation by certain characteristics or for certain concepts were not possible. Further work may need to be done to dig into these areas get a better understanding of the experiences of different groups within the population with difficulties with print material. This type of information could further help to create targeted services or programs for persons with difficulties with print material.
Data source, methods and definitions
This report is based on data from the Survey on Accessible Print Material (SAPM). Data for the 2023 SAPM were collected from March 15, 2023 to April 15, 2023. The population covered by the SAPM is composed of persons aged 15 and over as of March 15, 2023, who indicated on the 2021 long-form census that their daily activities were limited due to one or more difficulties or long-term conditions. In the SAPM, three screening questions were used to classify whether or not the person selected had a difficulty related to print materials.
Respondents’ answers were linked to their 2021 Census data in order to reduce response burden and increase the analytical opportunities. This linked data represents information captured in May 2021. It is important for users to keep in mind the different reference periods involved for each data source.
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