It is estimated only 3 percent of printed material is available in alternative formats, making access to information extremely difficult. Audio files provide equal access to information for those who may be vision or print-restricted, mobility impaired, learning disabled, ESL, and the aging population. It is an enabling technology.
There are ample statistics available that demonstrate the need for providing alternate formats:

• 4 out of 10 (approximately 9 million) adult Canadians, age 16 to 65 struggle with low literacy(1) ; 60% of immigrants have low literacy.(2)
• 1 out of every 7 Canadians reported having a disability in 2006. One in 4 Nova Scotians has a disability, higher than the national average. The national average is 14.3%.(3)
• 3.2% of Canadian adults suffer from vision impairments.(4)
• 1 in 7 Canadians is 65 years or older. That number is expected to rise to 1 in 5 by the year 2026.(5)
• According to 2006 Census, the Atlantic province population comprises the oldest in the country.(6)
• It is estimated that by the year 2010, senior citizens are expected to make up about 60% of our North American population and own about 70% of our banking assets.(7)

Offering alternate formats exposes a wider audience to your message and removes barriers.

Offering audio format fills the void for those who prefer to use the auditory sense for information intake.

A natural free-flowing voice has better clarity/quality and therefore is better absorbed and understood by the listener compared to text-to-voice software.

Voice Waves Atlantic fills the demand for audio information. With the growing popularity of podcasting, MP3 players and Internet accessibility on-the-go (Wi-Fi technology), Voice Waves Atlantic can assist in all components of the process.

Sources: (1) Adult Literacy and Life Skills (ALL) Survey, Statistics Canada and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2005 (2) International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS), 2005 (3) and (4) Statistics Canada, Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), 2006 (5) Canada's Aging Population A report prepared by Health Canada in collaboration with the Interdepartmental Committee on Aging and Seniors Issues (6) Statistics Canada 2006 Census: Portrait of the Canadian Population (7) Jeff N. Marquis and Kerry J. Harrison, Special Business Needs Consultants, 2006