Information for BC Independent Schools and Distance/Distributed Learning Programs
Welcome to ARC-BC
These resources are accessible to registered users only.
Accessible Resource Centre - British Columbia
Providing Alternate Format Materials to BC Educators to Promote Access to Learning for Students with Perceptual Disabilities
The Accessible Resource Centre - British Columbia is a BC Ministry of Education funded response to the growing demand for digital accessible format alternatives to hard-copy print learning materials. The goal of ARC-BC is to provide BC students with perceptual (or print) disabilities and their educational teams with high quality digital alternate format materials that align with British Columbia's K-12 curriculum.
Is ARC-BC for my student?
ARC-BC materials are produced in accordance with Section 32 of the Copyright Act of Canada on behalf of students with perceptual (or print) disabilities. A perceptual (or print) disability results in significant difficulties seeing, holding, or understanding a work in its original format and generally encompasses:
Current News
Welcome Back!
We hope you has a restful and joyous holiday season! This is a quick note from the ARC-BC team with some reminders for the New Year, including production requests for Black History Month and the new academic term.
Black History Month 2023
With February 2023 coming up soon, please submit any requests for production that you have for Black History-focused content. Over the last three years the ARC-BC team has added a range of content to support equitable access to Black History-focused content for students with perceptual disabilities, with titles including Malaika's Winter Carnival by Nadia Horn and The Kids Book of Black Canadian History by Rosemary Sadlier.
Looking Ahead - Please Submit Production Requests for the New Term
We continue to add new titles to the repository and new file formats. Planning ahead is key in alternate format production and so if you know about particular titles(s) that your student(s) will require for the start of the new term, please see below:
Search the ARC-BC Repository
Start by searching the ARC-BC online repository of learning materials in digital alternate format. After nearly 13 years of producing digital alternate formats on behalf of students with perceptual disabilities, the ARC-BC online repository has many titles aligning with the BC curriculum available for download.
What if…..
the title I am looking for is not in the repository?
If the title is not available in the repository, or is not available in the format required by the student, please submit a Request a Title or New Format Form. The ARC-BC team will be in touch to confirm your request.
Once the completed files are posted on the ARC-BC repository, we will notify you by email that files are available to download.
the title I am looking for is in the repository but has a [progress] tag in parentheses?
If the required title is in the ARC-BC repository but the notation indicates that it is [In Production] or [Under Consideration] or [Partial] please contact arc@prcvi.org to have it added to the high priority production list.
Additional Notes
If your request is for a larger textbook, please include a timeline for when each chapter will be needed by the student. We will produce these chapters ahead of the schedule so that files are available in time. Including a timeline with a textbook request assists our team in prioritizing production to ensure that we can provide timely service to as many students as needed throughout the year.
Retiring or moving on?
If you are not returning to your role in January 2023, please inform your ARC-BC District Contact. This will help us to ensure that your account is safely archived.
If you have questions or feedback regarding ARC-BC, please email us arc@prcvi.org
Thank you for all your work to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities for students with perceptual disabilities.
The ARC-BC Provincial Team
May 19 is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! #GAAD
GAAD Logo
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a day to celebrate and recognize the work of all those striving to ensure meaningful, equitable, and appealing access to digital content for all users, including those with disabilities. There are many incredible virtual events happening today and throughout the week - check out the GAAD website for an events calendar and to get connected.
The ARC-BC team's commitment to digital accessibility extends beyond digital alternate format materials for students with perceptual disabilities. We also offer a number of virtual training opportunities for educational teams interested in creating and curating accessible learning content. Our Training page has more information on these sessions and how you can request one for your team!
Upcoming Events in School Communities - Check ARC-BC for related titles
- May is Asian Heritage Month
- May is Speech and Hearing Month
- June is National Indigenous History Month
ARC-BC Program Notes
Retiring or Moving On?
If you are retiring at the end of June, please inform your ARC-BC District Contact. This will help us to ensure that your account is safely archived.
Looking Ahead - Please Submit Material Requests for September 2022!
We continue to add new titles to the repository and new file formats. Planning ahead is key in alternate format production and so if you know about particular titles(s) that your student(s) require for September 2022, please see below:
Search the ARC-BC Repository
Start by searching the ARC-BC online repository of learning materials in digital alternate format. After nearly 13 years of producing digital alternate formats on behalf of students with perceptual disabilities, the ARC-BC online repository has many titles aligning with the BC curriculum available for download.
What if…..
- the title I am looking for is not in the repository?
If the title is not available in the repository, or is not available in the format required by the student, please submit a Request a Title or New Format Form. The ARC-BC team will be in touch to confirm your request. Once the completed files are posted on the ARC-BC repository, we will notify you by email that files are available to download. - the school is not able to donate a print copy for alternate format production?
The ARC-BC team always attempts to purchase a copy of the book for all student orders. If the book is older or difficult to find, we may still ask the school or school district to donate a copy. - the title I am looking for is in the repository but has a [progress] tag in parentheses?
If the required title is in the ARC-BC repository but the notation indicates that it is [In Production] or [Under Consideration] or [Partial] please contact arc@prcvi.org to have it added to the high priority production list.
Note regarding textbook requests:
If your request is for a textbook, please include a timeline and the chapter order for when each will be needed by the student. We will produce these chapters ahead of the schedule so that files are available in time. Including a timeline with a textbook request assists our team in prioritizing production to ensure that we can provide timely service to as many students as needed throughout the year.
If you have questions or feedback regarding ARC-BC, please email us arc@prcvi.org
Thank you for all your work to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities for students with perceptual disabilities. Best wishes for a relaxing summer!
- The ARC-BC Provincial Team