Cora Payne (she/they), Outreach Manager at the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), is driven by a straightforward mission: ensuring every reader has the freedom, dignity, and tools to read in the way that works best for them.
With a background in inclusive education, early intervention, and program coordination, Cora’s work is rooted in collaborating with families, educators, and community organizations to dismantle systemic barriers to literacy. This advocacy is deeply personal; as a learning-disabled reader with ADHD, a parent, and an educator, Cora understands both the hurdles and the joys of navigating neurodiversity.
At CELA, Cora works to make reading accessible to all by promoting free alternate formats, including audiobooks, braille, and customizable digital text, through public libraries across Canada. They are excited to connect with the LDAC community to share practical strategies that normalize diverse reading styles and help every learner thrive.
SessionTitle: Accessible Libraries: Empowering Readers through Choice
In “Accessible Libraries: Empowering Readers through Choice,” we will explore how the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) supports people with print disabilities, including those with learning disabilities. This presentation shows educators and families how free alternate formats—like audiobooks and customizable etext—can complement evidence-based reading instruction. By highlighting practical assistive technologies, we demonstrate how to normalize accommodation, remove learning barriers, and connect children and youth with their interests. Discover collaborative, low-barrier strategies to build reading independence, boost confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of reading at home and in the classroom.