Digicel- SVH and NALIS Break Ground
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2021: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – “Increasing access is necessary work that needs to be done”- these were the persistent words shared by SVH Audio Publishing Ltd, Managing Director - Sterling Henderson at a project launch at NALIS on Nov 24. SVH Audio Publishing teamed up with NALIS earlier this year with TT$35,000 funding from the Digicel Foundation to produce audio recordings of the Republic Reader I-V. These audio files were finally completed and handed over to NALIS by Mr. Henderson at the brief handover ceremony.
The audio format of the school text is also the first of its kind here in Trinidad and Tobago and will be accessible to individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have disabilities that limit their use of print materials. The audio version of the basic readers which were voiced, edited and produced by Sterling Henderson and his team will now be made available at the National Library. The rest of the project team comprised Engineer -Robin Fraser, Editor- Anthony Tom and Voicing done by Karla Gonsalves.
Sterling Henderson said, “Audio books remain the best option for us in the Caribbean to increase accessibility to persons who are blind.” He further expressed that SVH understood this to be very important work and was committed to doing it with the EPIC funding received from the Digicel Foundation.
Digicel Foundation Finance Accountant, Misha Jackman shared the Foundation’s excitement to find likely partners in SVH Publishing and NALIS by reiterating the Foundation’s global mandate- ‘Together we are creating a world where no one gets left behind.’
NALIS is the designated authorized entity under the treaty and has the responsibility to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind. Under the Marrakesh Treaty, NALIS has the authority to make print materials available in accessible formats such as braille, large print and or specialized digital audio files without infringing on copyright laws.
Representing NALIS at the launch were Debbie Goodman, Manager- Corporate Communications and Cherylann Quamina Baptiste – Director of Heritage Library.
ENDS
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Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.
Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.
With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.
For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com
(L-R)Debbie Goodman, NALIS Manager- Corporate Communications addresses the small group of attendees at the project launch.
(L-R)Mr. Sterling Henderson, Managing Director- SVH Audio Publishing Ltd. delivers brief remarks at the project launch for the audio recordings of the Republic Reader I-V.
(L-R)Cherylann Quamina- Baptiste – Director of Heritage Library, Digicel Foundation Finance Accountant, Misha Jackman and Debbie Goodman, NALIS Manager- Corporate Communications display the EPIC partner plaque.
(L-R) SVH Audio Publishing Ltd, Project Engineer- Robin Fraser cues up the audio recording for the team to listen to.