The Survey on Accessible Print Materials gathers information from Canadians who require printed works in alternate formats. The survey aims to understand their requirements for and use of these formats, and the barriers they encounter in obtaining them. Printed works can include books, newspapers, magazines and other reading materials that a person may read for leisure, education or work.
Information from this survey will be used to support the development of programs to improve access to reading materials in alternate formats, such as braille, e-braille, large print, accessible e-books and audiobooks.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Collection period:
From March 15, 2023 to April 15, 2023
Collection methods:
Electronic questionnaire with telephone interview follow-up for non-response
Survey participation:
Voluntary
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and reduce response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with data from the 2021 Census. Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
The survey asks questions about:
- Usage of aids or assistive devices to access print materials
- Usage of alternate format print materials
- Barriers associated with accessing alternate format print materials
- Internet use while accessing alternate format print materials
- Training and digital skills to access alternate format print materials
- Impacts of COVID on use of alternate format print materials
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
Survey-specific questions
- What is the Survey on Accessible Print Materials?
- How was I selected to participate in this survey?
- What are the benefits of participating in this survey?
- Will my data be linked and shared?
- How will my data be kept private and confidential?
- When will the results be available?
What is the Survey on Accessible Print Materials?
The Survey on Accessible Print Materials (SAPM) is currently being conducted by Statistics Canada and gathers information from Canadians who require printed works in alternate formats due to a difficulty when reading paper-based materials.
The survey collects information on a range of topics, including, use of aids or assistive devices, use of alternate formats and barriers experienced when accessing them, Internet use, digital skills, and training in relation to accessing alternate formats, and impacts of COVID-19 on usage of alternate formats.
How was I selected to participate in this survey?
You were randomly selected to participate in the SAPM. Your selection was based on responses that either you or someone in your household provided to the Activities of Daily Living question found on the 2021 Census of Population, long form questionnaire.
More specifically, that you "Sometimes," "Often," or "Always" had difficulty with one or more of the following:
- Seeing,
- hearing,
- walking,
- using stairs,
- using your hands or fingers or doing other physical activities,
- learning, remembering or concentrating.
Or had any of the following:
- Emotional, psychological or mental health conditions.
Or another health problem or long-term condition.
What are the benefits of participating in this survey?
By participating in the SAPM you will directly help Statistics Canada draw a portrait of the lived experiences, unique challenges, and barriers faced by persons who have difficulties with reading print-based materials. Information from the survey will be used to support the development of programming to improve access to reading materials in alternate formats such as braille, e-braille, large print, accessible e-books and audiobooks.
Will my data be linked and shared?
Data from the SAPM may be linked to other administrative or survey sources such as the Census. This helps reduce the number of questions we need to ask on the SAPM.
Personal identifiers and data on individuals will not be shared or released outside Statistics Canada.
How will my data be kept private and confidential?
Responses to this survey are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, which guarantees that all of your personal information will remain confidential and secure.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.
When will the results be available?
As soon as data from SAPM have been processed, the survey results are announced in The Daily, Statistics Canada's official release bulletin.
Introduction to the Survey on Accessible Print Materials, American Sign Language