A new round of federal funding is now available to improve accessibility in built facilities and service provision. Applications to the Enabling Accessibility Fund can be submitted until December 13 to subsidize construction, renovation or retrofit projects that make way for more people with disabilities in community spaces and workplaces.
A total of $18.2 million — to be parcelled out in grants of $500,000 to $3 million — has been allocated for mid-sized projects that help to reduce waitlists for access to services and programs. This will be targeted both to facilities that specifically accommodate clientele with disabilities and to multi-use venues where programs for people with disabilities are offered.
“Sometimes, all a person with disabilities needs to fully engage in their communities is a ramp to access the service centres they use or accessible washrooms at their workplace,” observes Kamal Khera, Canada’s Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities.
The fund is open to: not-for-profit organizations with a mandate to exclusively serve people with disabilities; for-profit organizations with up to 99 full-time equivalent employees that have a mandate to serve and/or hire people with disabilities; the governments of Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon and organizations located within one of those territories; Indigenous organizations; and municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants as of the 2021 census.
Indigenous organizations, territorial governments and organizations in the territories can receive grants to cover their full project costs, while the remainder of qualifying recipients are eligible for a maximum of 65 per cent. Projects must be completed within two years of receiving approval.
The call for applications comes during national disability employment awareness month.
“I encourage all Canadians to join me in raising awareness about accessibility and disability inclusion in their own communities and workplaces,” Khera says. “I also encourage employers to learn more about the support and resources available for creating more accessible workplaces and enhance hiring and retention of employees with disabilities.”
