PAL-Reading Services

PAL-Reading Services Inc. (“PAL”) was founded in 1975 with a small federal grant. Originally named “Periodical Audio Library”, PAL was the idea of Jim Hamilton, a blind student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, now part of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT). At that time, no other agency offered an audio recording service for print-disabled students who needed academic journal articles recorded quickly enough to meet weekly study deadlines.

Ever since, PAL has provided this much-needed reading service to print-disabled people not only for elementary and post-secondary studies, but also for work and personal use. Since 1975 we have served over 1100 print-disabled individuals and many of our clients have used our services for several years.

In 1976 PAL incorporated and became a registered charity. David Crombie, Rabbi Gunther Plaut and Marshall McLuhan gave their support to our first board. PAL has full charity status with Canada Revenue and our Charitable Registration Number is 11907 6057-RR0001. Our registered charity information return can be viewed on the Canada Revenue Agency web site.

In 1983, the Ontario government began purchasing our services on behalf of college and university students. This has enabled us to contribute to the enrichment of students’ lives, by aiding with their daily coursework, tests, exams and postgraduate theses.

We record print material onto CD for people who have trouble reading because of blindness, low vision, learning or motor disabilities. All reading and recording is done by volunteers. To ensure high quality recordings, potential volunteers go through an audition process. On average, PAL records about 2000 hours of material a year, or about 38,000 pages. Recruiting volunteers allows us to keep costs down and be in direct contact with our community of supporters; we enjoy our status as an established and dedicated grass-roots organization.