To mark this year’s United Nations Day of Disabled Persons and its own anniversary, VoicePrint outlined a bold new initiative that will significantly enhance the broadcast services it produces for an estimated 5 million Canadians who are vision- or print-restricted and cannot independently access information published by newspapers and magazines.

     “For 17 years, VoicePrint has been broadcasting audio versions of published news and information to our audience so they can make informed decisions and better understand just what’s going on in the world around them,” says Arlene Patterson, Director, VoicePrint Operations. “Now we’ve got almost everything in place to make our service even better.”

• Increased local programming
• A new cross-Canada schedule that brings listeners the news at the time they want to hear it
• A better reflection of Canada’s rich diversity
• An easier way to receive VoicePrint

We call this new initiative “Multiplex.” To learn more details about “Multiplex” and how it will benefit listeners, please:

§ Listen to an interview with Joe Lamanna, VoicePrint’s National Program Manager , and/or

§ Read the FAQs below:

What is Multiplex?

A system in which four distinct VoicePrint audio channels will deliver regional programming to four separate time zones: Atlantic, Eastern, Mountain/Central and Pacific. Here’s how it works: each feed will continue to bring listeners VoicePrint’s in-depth national programs, but every day (from 1 to 6 p.m. weekdays, and 5 to 8 p.m. on weekends) each feed breaks away from national programming to provide increased regional coverage for that particular region: news, sports, arts, entertainment, lifestyle and more.In addition we will continue to air our existing National feed (of which more further down in this FAQ).

Why is VoicePrint implementing Multiplex?

Many reasons, including readying for the new all-digital TV universe plus:

• To increase regional programming. Our listeners want to hear more localized news and information and we’re able to bring it to them by adapting our existing Local Broadcast Centre (LBC) content, which is now posted online at this website, for use on these four regional feeds. Down the road, we will add even more original specialty regional programs. For example, on the VoicePrint eastern feed, we will feature a weekly GTA city hall/municipal politics program. We plan to add these kinds of specialty shows on all the feeds as we move forward.
• To bring listeners the news at the time they want to hear it. By having just one national feed, VoicePrint could only offer one schedule. Now listeners will have more choice, fewer repeats and a program schedule that – for the first time in VoicePrint’s history – is consistent across the country.
• To better reflect Canada’s rich diversity. With more local news and information, listeners will have more exposure to the stories and people who make their regions of Canada such exciting places in which to live.
• To simplify access to VoicePrint. For years the primary way cable users could hear VoicePrint was through the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) at CBC’s Newsworld. Accessing the SAP, however, was difficult if not impossible for blind and vision-restricted people since it is primarily done through an on-screen menu. Now, as the digital age evolves, access to VoicePrint is getting easier and more dedicated VoicePrint channels are available.

When/where will these regional feeds be able to be heard?

They are available right now. Our partners at Canada’s cable and satellite companies are making the necessary technical changes that will allow these service improvements to reach the ears of our listeners. We’re talking to them now and hope they quickly will agree to our request relay these broadcasts to improve the programming our listeners and their subscribers receive. Many of our listeners have already been in touch with their cable or satellite services to find out how they can receive our enhanced regional and local programming services.

I listen to VoicePrint online and/or on the S.A.P. pf CBC Newsworld. Will I receive this feed for my area?

No. For now, we will continue to broadcast a “National” programming service -- what we call our “Vintage VoicePrint” program package -- while this switchover takes place. Listeners who wish to do so can continue to enjoy our original broadcast service as it will be distributed online indefinitely, at this website and on the S.A.P. of CBC Newsworld.

When will the new regional feeds through Multiplex be available nationwide?

We hope all cable and satellite providers will have the regional programming designed for their markets in place in time to mark the February 2008 celebration of White Cane Week, the national-awareness campaign with a potent symbol. The white cane, though, is only one tool that promotes independence for vision-impaired people. VoicePrint is another.