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Government Programs

Government of Canada – Passp​orts

Braille passport application information booklets are available through Passport Canada. Following is a series of questions and answers regarding this service.

Question: Why does Passport Canada no longer distribute Braille application information booklets to regional passport offices?

Answer: Stockroom supplies of the booklet were quickly depleted and out-of-date copies accumulated on regional office shelves. Often, offices that had not ordered a supply were not easily able to get a booklet when they needed one.

Question: How will persons who are blind and want a copy of the Braille booklet be able to get one?

Answer: When a request is received in person, the attending officer takes the order including complete mailing information and sends it by email directly to the stockroom. The stockroom fills the order and mails the requested booklet directly to the applicant.

Question: How else can clients request a Braille booklet?

Answer: Clients can call Passport Canada’s toll-free number at (800) 567-6868 Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (ET). The TTY number is (866) 255-7655. Outside Canada and the United States, applicants should call (819) 997-8338.

Clients can also order a Braille booklet by completing the General Inquiries section on the Passport Canada web site. Fill in the required information (ensuring to specify which Braille application information booklet you want and the official language you prefer) when submitting your on-line request.

Question: What booklets are available in Braille?

Answer: English:

Simplified Renewal – Form: PPTC 054A (09-04)

Canada, US, Bermuda – Adult – Form: PPTC 153A (09-04)

Canada, US, Bermuda – Child – Form: PPTC 155A (09-04)

Abroad – Adult – Form: PPTC 040A (09-04)

Abroad – Child – Form: PPTC 042A (09-04)

French:

Renouvellement simplifié – Form: [PPTC 055A (09-04)

Canada, É.-U., Bermude – Adulte – Form: PPTC154A (09-04)

Canada, É.-U., Bermude – Enfant – Form: PPTC156A (09-04)

À l’étranger – Adulte – Form: PPTC 041A (09-04)

À l’étranger – Enfant – Form: PPTC 043A (09-04)

Question: How long will it take to receive the booklet?

Answer: In Canada, the booklet should be delivered within 72 hours of making the request plus mailing time.

Question: Is this service available only in Canada?

Answer: No! Any Canadian who wants a Braille application information booklet can request one at any Passport Canada regional office, any receiving agent and any Mission around the world.

Question: Is there any charge for this service?

Answer: No! All Braille booklets are free and are mailed out free of charge.

Question: Can I submit a Braille application?

Answer: No! An actual Braille application form is not included with the Braille booklet. However, applicants who are equipped with the appropriate assistive technology will be able to fill out the online form or have someone assist them to fill out a paper form.

Question: What if I want to let Passport Canada know what I think of this policy?

Answer: You can let them know what you think by calling (800) 567-6868, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (ET). The TTY number is 866) 255-7655. Outside Canada and the United States, applicants should call (819) 997-8338. Or submit your opinions on-line via the send compliments or feedback to Passport Canada link.

Question: I am visually impaired . Can I get a large-print version of the application form?

Answer: Yes. Large-print forms are available in most regional offices. They can also be ordered by phone at (800) 567-6868, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (ET). The TTY number is (866) 255-7655. Outside Canada and the United States, applicants should call (819) 997-8338.

Clients can also order a large-print booklet by completing the General Inquiries section on the Passport Canada web site. Fill in the required information (ensuring to specify which large-print application form you want and the official language you prefer) when sending your on-line request.

Government of Canada – ​Programs

    • The Accessible Procurement Toolkit is a Web-based application that delivers accessibility requirements and standards to apply to a purchase of mainstream products and services. Applying these standards will ensure that products meet “Universal Design” principles and help the procuring organization meet its mandated obligation to purchase more accessible goods and services.

      Employers can make their office/workplace more welcoming, adaptable, safer and accessible for the employer and all their employees with a relatively small change to their normal business practices.

      A more accessible workplace will be better suited to an aging workforce and allow an employer to hire and train or retain skilled workers with disabilities.

      Some country, state, provincial and municipal governments have made accessible procurement a requirement, either by policy or law. Using the toolkit can help an employer meet those requirements.

      Use this toolkit if you, as an employer plan to procure mainstream technology or services for the general office environment. The toolkit can be used by:

      • purchasing managers to inform procurement officers of their product requirements

      • procurement officers to add accessibility clauses to purchasing documents

      • manufacturers to see what standards might apply to their products for planning and development purposes

      • vendors to compare the compliance level of their products to government or international standards

    • Persons With Disabilities Online provides access to services and information for persons with disabilities, family members, caregivers and all Canadians. Through this link, you can find information regarding:

      • Accessibility

      • Advocacy

      • Assistive Technology

      • Community and Citizen Participation

      • Employment

      • Health, Safety and Security

      • Housing

      • Learning and Skills Development

      • Recreation and Active Living

      • Reference Library

      • Tax & Financial Benefits

      • Transportation & Travel

    • The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a taxable monthly payment that is available to people who have contributed to the CPP and who are not able to work regularly at any job because of a disability. The CPP disability benefit is not designed to pay for such things as medications and assistive devices. Refer to our Finances, Investments & Tax Tips page on details regarding claiming eligible tax credits for assistive devices.

      To qualify for a CPP disability benefit, you must:

      • have a severe and prolonged disability

      • be under the age of 65; and

      • meet the CPP contribution requirements.

    • If you receive Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, there may also be benefits for your children. Children between 18 and 25 must be attending school full time at a recognized institution. Children under 18 do not have to be in school to be eligible.

      To apply for a children’s benefit, you must:

      • complete an application form;

      • provide proof of his/her date of birth; and

      • submit a form called “Declaration of Attendance at School or University”.

      Application kits for CPP children’s benefits are available online. You can also contact Service Canada and an application kit will be sent to you.

      For children between 18 and 25, you must complete the form when you first apply for a benefit, at the beginning of every new school year, and when you return to school after having left for a time. CCP administraters may also ask you to complete one at the beginning of each semester if you are on a semester system or if your attendance starts in the middle of the traditional school year.

    • The Veterans Affairs Canada Disability Pension program provides a monthly disability pension to:

        • Veterans of the Second World War or the Korean War;

        • Merchant Navy Veterans of the Second World War or the Korean War;

        • eligible civilians

        • serving and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; or

      their survivors.,

      The monthly disability pension may also be provided to current or former members of the Canadian Forces or their survivors, if the member or Veteran applied before April 1, 2006. Otherwise, the disability benefit is provided through the Disability Award Delivered by: Veterans Affairs Canada.

Government of Canada – Publicat​ions

    • Have you ever asked yourself…”where can I find an e-learning tool that will teach me effective fact-finding strategies so I can make the best use of what the Government of Canada web Site has to offer?” If you have, then we direct you to the quick tips tutorial which contains tips to help you find information more quickly and effectively on the Government of Canada web Site.

    • For those individuals who are blind, sight-impaired or deafblind who wish to receive their personalized correspondence from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in an alternate format of their choice can now self-identify, and make a one-time request by calling (800) 959-8281 (English) or (800) 959-7383 (French) on weekdays from 8:15 am to 5:00 pm (local time).

      The multiple formats available from Canada Revenue Agency include Braille, large print, E-text (computer diskette or compact disk), audio MP3, and audio-cassette. Individuals who self-identify will automatically receive all personalized correspondence, such as Notices of Assessment and statements of account, in the alternate format of their choice. A separate request must be made to obtain an alternate format version of non-personalized material, such as generic forms and publications.

      The Canada Revenue Agency will make every effort to ensure that both the alternate and standard formats are mailed together. However, some material will require separate mailings. If standard and alternate format material cannot be mailed together, the alternate format version will be mailed within five (5) working days of the mailing of the standard version.

      The Canada Revenue Agency recognizes the importance of the confidentiality of its correspondence with taxpayers. Making personalized correspondence available in both alternate and standard formats at the same time addresses privacy concerns raised with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and ensures that individuals who are blind, sight-impaired or deafblind can access their information directly without having to involve a third party.

      For more information about alternate formats and Canada Revenue Agency publications, please visit Requests for Canada Revenue Agency’s Alternate Format forms and Correspondence or call (800) 959-2221.

    • Rethinking DisAbility in the Private Sector – Details the August 5 2013 report from the Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

    • The Disability Reference Guide (the Guide) is a tool for identifying, clarifying and promoting policies to address issues that affect people with disabilities. While the objective of the Guide is to help ensure that federal programs , policies and services maintain or enhance the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities , much of the Guide’s content may be of use to other governments, organizations or institutions.

      The guide is available in alternate formats including large print, braille, audio cassette, audio CD, e-text diskette, e-text CD and DAISY format. Call (800) 622-6232 to order the format of your choice.

      The Guide can help to ensure that legislation, policies, programs and services:

      • are inclusive of people with disabilities;

      • respect the rights and needs of people with disabilities; and,

      • promote positive attitudes and raise awareness about the needs of people with disabilities in order to prevent unintended negative outcomes.

      Electing to use the Guide will help employees to:

      • systematically assess and address the impacts of all initiatives (policies, programs, services or decisions) on people with disabilities;

      • obtain a more nuanced understanding of the multi-dimensional challenges that impact people with disabilities;

      • build partnerships across government departments, and with NGO’s and other stakeholders that work with and represent people with disabilities; and,

      • act as a resource in the creation of policies and programs that reflect of the rights and needs of people with disabilities.

      Government of British Columbia – P​rograms

      See also, the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulations

      And for additional information, please see:

    • Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation – Disability Assistance Rate Tables