ONE MORE BIG STEP IN THE NON-PROFIT BROADCASTER’S DRIVE TO EXPAND DISTRIBUTION AND ENHANCE ACCESS FOR MORE THAN FIVE-MILLION VISION- AND PRINT-RESTRICTED LISTENERS

Once again Shaw Cablesystems has shown its strong support for the important cause of Making Media Accessible.

VoicePrint is pleased to announce that Shaw has given Canada’s 24/7 audio newsstand, a dedicated channel on its digital-TV service so blind- and print-restricted Shaw subscribers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario can enjoy digital access to VoicePrint’s award-winning programming.

As of May 6, Shaw subscribers can access digital channel 889 to hear VoicePrint’s much-applauded spoken-word versions of current articles from over 600 newspapers and magazines – all recorded for broadcast by hundreds of dedicated volunteers to enhance the lives of, for example, people with vision, physical and learning disabilities, as well as Canadians with low levels of literacy.

On the same day, with some exceptions, Shaw will also begin broadcasting VoicePrint’s improved line-up of local and regional programming on channel 889 which, from 1:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. weekdays, and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends, features the latest community news, sports, arts, entertainment, lifestyle and more.

“Shaw Cablesystems has been a great corporate friend to VoicePrint in many ways.” says Arlene Patterson, Director, VoicePrint Operations. “Back in the eighties, Shaw was one of the very first contributing founders to help get VoicePrint up and running.  As well, Shaw executives have served on the board of VoicePrint’s parent organization, The National Broadcast Reading Service.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity,” she adds, “to thank Shaw Cable systems for giving us this dedicated channel, which will ease access to our service – and for all the company’s help over the years. Shaw’s continuing support has meant a lot to us.”

“As a leading communications company,” says NBRS Director, Marketing and Fund-Development, Georgina Blanas, “we are very happy Shaw Cablesystems continue to play a major role in making media more accessible by distributing audio versions of articles to Canadians who can’t independently access published materials.  Their goal is to continually find ways to better serve all Shaw customers, and the long-time partnership with VoicePrint, a global pioneer in the field, has helped us immeasurably in serving Canadians who are blind or have other vision or print-restrictions.”

Another example of Shaw’s commitment to greater accessibility: VoicePrint’s new digital home – channel 889 – is just one channel away from NBRS’s newest barrier-breaking service,
The Accessible Channel, or TACtv, which has been broadcasting on Shaw digital channel 888.

TACtv broadcasts 24/7 described and closed-captioned versions of popular TV programs and movies into over ten million Canadian homes.

“I should also point out,” says Ms. Blanas, “that VoicePrint will continue to be broadcast through the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) of CBC Newsworld.”