Accessible Canada Contributions funding - Phase 1 - Partnerships projects - Closed

On this page

• Application period Closed
• Description of the funding
• Objective
• Eligibility
• How we assess your application
• Steps to apply
• After you have applied
• Contact us
• Information sessions
• Glossary

Application period

The Call for Proposals (CFP) will be open for 7 weeks. You can apply between February 4, 2022 to March 25, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern daylight time (EDT). If you need help or accommodations (such as documents in an alternate format, for example, large font, braille, etc.), please send us an email before March 25th, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) expect to communicate decisions to applicants between May 2022 and June 2022. For any questions and inquires, please contact us.

Note that we will also be holding information sessions to help interested organizations to provide guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, objectives of the funding and priorities. These sessions are intended to further facilitate the participation of small and underrepresented disability organizations in the application process.

Description of the funding

The Accessible Canada Partnerships stream under the Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component (SDPP-D) provides contribution funding to projects that increase capacity and enhance leadership within the disability stakeholder community for taking action to remove existing barriers to accessibility and inclusion and prevent future barriers from emerging. Additionally, the funding aims to promote partnerships within the disability community as well as the collaboration and partnerships between the disability community and other sectors. In particular, the goal is to support the participation and engagement of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations.

The Accessible Canada Partnerships funding is being provided in 2 distinct phases, using a new innovative funding model. The distribution of the funding over 2 phases ensures that the positive outcomes of successful projects will reach more persons with disabilities and that successful projects will continue long after the federal funding.

Phase 1

This CFP covers the first phase of Accessible Canada Partnerships Projects funding. Through the CFP, ESDC will provide up to $4.05M over 2 years.

It is expected that up to 8 contribution projects will be funded. Projects will be up to 2 years in duration. Phase 1 Projects must be completed by September 30, 2024 at the latest.

The value of funding per project is up to a maximum of $675,000 over 2 years.

Please take note that leveraging other sources of funding (either cash or in-kind) is required, however, a specific matched funding ratio is not required (for example, there is no minimum amount required). In addition, contributions need to relate to eligible expenditure and demonstrate value for advancing the project. Applicants will be required to demonstrate that these contributions are secured should they be selected to receive funding (by providing 1 or more letters of support at the time of agreement).

Exemption: Applicants do not need to have confirmed contributions from other sources if they are:

• an eligible organization with project activities situated in 1 of the 3 Territories
• an Indigenous organization (First Nations, Métis and Inuit)
• an eligible organization with project activities located in a rural or remote area

The limit of 1 application is important to remember if you have multiple offices using the same CRA Business Number or business registry number. For multiple applications submitted with the same CRA or business registry number, only the first application received will be reviewed.

Phase 2

Funding for Phase 2 will be up to $6.075 M over 3 years.

Projects will be targeted from Phase 1 based on demonstrated results. A committee, with participation of persons with disabilities, will be established to review the outcomes of the projects from Phase 1.

If selected by ESDC, agreement holders will be required to submit a proposal that demonstrates their ability to scale-up (for example, reaching more persons, communities and sectors) and include a plan for sustainability after federal funding through a targeted CFP. The date for this targeted CFP process has not yet been determined.

The value of funding per project in Phase 2 is up to a maximum of $1.65 M over 3 additional years. Funding will be dependent on the number of projects approved for proceeding to Phase 2.

Objective

The objective of this CFP is to provide funding to organizations that aim to:

1. build capacity within the disability community to continue to engage on the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations. This will include:
   • enhancing leadership by the Canadian disability community to participate in the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations, and to contribute to accessibility policy and programming
   • mobilizing and sharing knowledge within the disability community by building evidence through evaluation of projects developed by the disability community
2. foster multi-sectoral and diverse partnerships to support innovation in accessibility, including:
   • joining diverse partners from the disability community and federally and non-federally regulated sectors (such as banking, education, health care) to support projects that lead to more accessible/inclusively-designed environments, spaces, programs and services within federally regulated and non-federally regulated entities
   • enabling expansion of the reach of projects that have positive results to more persons within the disability and other communities as well as other settings such as workplaces
   • promoting approaches (such as designing and developing inclusive spaces, services and programs that can be integrated into workplaces, educational, health and other settings) that aim to affect long-term, system-wide change, which can be sustained beyond federal funding

Eligibility

To apply, your application must meet all of the following eligibility criteria.

Eligible applicants

In order to be eligible for funding, your organization must be 1 of the following:

• not-for-profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities
• organizations and institutions supported by provincial ,territorial government or municipal (including educational institutions, schools, health/social services institutions) in partnership with disability organizations
• sector associations, societies and academic bodies in partnership with disability organizations, and
• Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)

Ineligible applicants

• Individuals
• For profit organizations
• Provincial/territorial governments
• Municipal governments
• Crown Corporations

Eligible projects

In order to be eligible for funding, your project must meet all of the following criteria:

1. meet the objectives of the funding process:
   • build capacity within the disability community, and
   • foster multi-sectoral and diverse partnerships

2. demonstrate leveraging in-kind and/or in-cash (no minimum) from 1 or more partners

   Include 1 or more partnership with diverse groups within the disability community. This includes small to medium-sized disability organizations, organizations supporting different types of disabilities, as well as organizations supporting those at the intersection of disability and other identities, such as Official Language minority communities (such as, Francophones living outside the province of Quebec and Anglophones living in the province of Quebec), LGBTQ2+ persons/groups, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), minority communities including Black and other visible minority groups.

3. letters of support from partners will be required from organizations at the time of agreement
4. ability to provide accessible and inclusive services and products, depending on the reach and audience

Eligible activities

1. Transformative multi-sectoral partnerships to facilitate action on the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations

   Description: Supporting diverse groups within the disability community to join efforts with federally regulated and other sectors to contribute to the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations.

   Examples of possible projects:

   • establishing a network of multi- and inter-sectoral partners, with the participation of the disability community, and
   • initiating peer-to-peer coaching or mentorship for undertaking multi- and inter-sectoral work that contribute to the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations

2. Build capacity to take action on removing barriers to accessibility and inclusion

   Description: Building capacity within the disability community to lead the work on the identification of barriers to accessibility and inclusion, and to work with multiple sectors to take action to remove them.

   Examples of possible projects:

   • needs assessments and/or audits undertaken by or in partnership with the disability community
   • the development of a community vision, agenda or action plan to address exclusionary practices, programs and products
   • the development of tools to support members of the disability community in promoting inclusion practices, and
   • lead or participate in multi-sectoral work focused on removal of barriers to accessibility and inclusion in areas such as workplaces, retail, educational and health-related settings. These can focus on an analysis of how existing programs, policies and products impact diverse groups within the disability community. These assessments can also shed light on how joint efforts can help remove barriers to inclusion of persons with disabilities, in particular those with intersectional identities

3. Preventing barriers from emerging through inclusive design

   Description: Prevention, through inclusive design, of attitudinal, physical and procedural barriers, which result in excluding Canadians, particularly those with disabilities, from using products and services, and participating in the workplace and other environments and spaces.

   Examples of possible projects:

   • innovative, multi-sectoral partnerships between the disability community and other sectors to develop inclusively designed prototypes of environments, products and services related to the priority areas under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its regulations (such as, information and communication technologies, employment)

Eligible costs

Eligible costs are those considered necessary to support the purpose of the project. For this CFP, eligible costs could include the following:

• wages and employment-related costs for staff
• fees for professional service
• disability supports for staff of the recipient
• materials and supplies
• equipment
• printing and communication
• travel costs
• utilities
• insurance
• rental of premises
• lease, purchase and maintenance of equipment
• costs of project audits
• evaluations and assessments
• performance monitoring and reporting costs
• data collection
• knowledge development activities; and other administrative costs associated with the project based on approved methodology

Ineligible costs

• costs associated with ongoing general operating costs/service delivery (such as, regular telephone and heating costs, rent, utilities, property taxes, insurance, equipment for staff, audit costs, etc.)
• costs incurred in preparing the proposal
• project costs incurred before an agreement is approved and signed by ESDC
• construction/renovation costs
• capital assets
• costs associated with fundraising activities/lobbying
• staff salary bonuses, and
• purchase of alcohol

How we assess your application

Priority will be given to projects that:

• include plans for the participation of disability organizations in the overall project design and the delivery of activities, including 1 or more partnerships with diverse groups within the disability community. This includes small to medium-sized disability organizations, organizations supporting different types of disabilities, as well as organizations supporting those at the intersection of disability and other identities, such as Official Language minority communities (for example, Francophones living outside the province of Quebec and Anglophones living in the province of Quebec), LGBTQ2+ persons/groups, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), minority communities including Black and other visible minority groups . Letters of support from implicated partners must be provided at the time of agreement
• include multi-sectoral partnerships, such as, partnerships with organizations from various sectors, such as academia, retail, health and financial sectors, etc.

The following criteria will be considered in the assessment of applications:

• alignment with the funds objectives and principles
• responsiveness to the needs identified by the disability community
• clarity and completeness of the proposal
• plans related to sharing of project results, and best practices and lessons learned with the disability community
• diversity of the disability community involved in the project design and delivery, and
• a balance of projects from each type of eligible activity may be considered

A committee, with participation of persons with disabilities, will be established to review the outcomes of the projects from Phase 1.

Steps to apply

Please read the complete Applicant Guide in its entirety before filling out your application.

You have to apply by March 25, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. If you have any technical issues applying, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible.

Create a GCOS account to apply online

Gather your supporting documents and information

Apply, submit and track the status of your application online using GCOS

Apply by email

Apply by mail

Create a Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) account to apply online

To apply online, you will need to create a Grants and Contributions Online Services account. It may take up to 2 weeks to finalize your GCOS account. You are strongly encouraged to initiate the one time GCOS account creation process as soon as possible.

GCOS allows you to:

• apply for funding opportunities
• submit claims and supporting documents
• track the status of you applications
• manage all your ESDC funding applications and approved active projects in 1 single GCOS account

Gather your supporting documents and information

Before submitting your Application for Funding, ensure that you have included all of the required documents in your application package. The following documents are required:

1. completed Application for Funding (EMP5523) online or printable format
2. completed Budget Details Template (EMP5570)
3. proof of organization type and status
4. financial statements
5. letters confirming sources of funding and/or in-kind contributions and letters of support indicating proof of partnerships (to be provided at the time of agreement)

If your application is incomplete, it may be deemed ineligible for funding.

Apply, submit and track the status of your application online using GCOS

1. Read the Applicant Guide in its entirety as it describes specific information you need to provide for each question of the form
2. Complete the Budget Details Template (PDF Format, 47 KB)
3. Apply online using GCOS

Apply by email

1. Send your complete application package by email to ESDC.AC.PART.CA.EDSC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
2. Indicate the following information in the subject line of your email(s):
   • name of your organization
   • if you have to send your application package in multiple emails, specify if it is part 1 or part 2

Apply by mail

Send your complete application package by mail to:

Accessible Canada 2022 Partnerships Stream CFP
Coordination Unit Mailstop: 402
National Grants & Contributions Delivery Centre (ESDC)
Phase IV, 4th floor
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau QC  K1A 0J9

After you’ve applied

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt after you send your application by email. If you mail in your application, we will send you an email of notification within 21 days. Please retain the email in case you encounter technical difficulties.

We expect to notify you of the outcome of the review of your application within 16 weeks from the end date of the submission period.

Contact us

If you have questions or need accommodations, please email us at ESDC.AC.PART.CA.EDSC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca. We will answer all questions sent before 3:00 pm (EDT) on March 25, 2022.

Information sessions

The Department will hold information sessions, for interested applicants to provide guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, objectives of the funding and priorities. These session aim to further facilitate the participation of small and underrepresented disability organizations in the application process.

An overview of the program and its objectives will be provided during the session, as well as instructions on how to apply. Departmental officials will also be available to respond to your questions.

If you are interested in taking part in an information session, please send an email to ESDC.AC.PART.CA.EDSC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca. We will provide you with the information and instructions on how to participate.

The dates for the sessions are as follows:

• February 15, 2022 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (EST)
• March 8, 2022 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (EST)

Sessions will be bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages. They will also be fully accessible and include American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART).

Glossary

Barrier

Consistent with the Accessible Canada Act, a barrier means anything, including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice, that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.

Building capacity

The process of developing and strengthening skills, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to engage, make and implement decisions and perform functions in an effective and efficient manner and over time.

Community

A group of people who share something in common. A community can be formed from geographic location, identity factors, shared experiences, or other attributes that create a sense of belonging or interpersonal connection among its members.

Disability

Consistent with the Accessible Canada Act, disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment, or a functional limitation, whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.

Diverse groups/organizations

For the purpose of this CFP, Diverse groups/organizations include:

• small to medium-sized disability organizations
• organizations supporting different types of disabilities, as well as
• organizations supporting persons at the intersection of disability and other identities
  • This can include Official Language minority communities (such as, Francophones living outside the province of Quebec and Anglophones living in the province of Quebec), LGBTQ2+ persons/groups, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), minority communities including Black and other visible minority groups

Inclusive design

Using practices and processes that enable and consider the full range of human diversity. This includes diversity regarding ability, language, culture, gender, age and other forms of human diversity in the development of environments, products, services, programs and policies. This can be done by engaging and learning from people with a range of perspectives, in particular those who are traditionally excluded.

For the purpose of this CFP, this means engaging and learning from persons with disabilities, including those with intersectional identities.

In-kind contributions

In-kind contributions are non-monetary goods or services that are contributed to the project by the contribution recipient or other organizations/partners for which the contribution recipient will not be requesting re-imbursement.

To be eligible as an in-kind contribution the contribution must be:

• essential to the project's success
• eligible costs under this Call for Proposals
• supported in writing by a commitment from the contributor (please include with application)
• recorded in the recipient's contribution agreement at fair market value

In-kind contributions will only be recognized when fair value can be reasonably estimated.

Innovation

For the purpose of this CFP, we define innovation as approaches that develop new and creative ways to identify and remove existing barriers and prevent future barriers from emerging, including the provision of programs, collaboration strategies, and/or technological developments.

Intersectional identities

There are multiple and diverse intersecting identity factors that shape our perspectives, ideologies and experiences. Examples of identity factors that may intersect include, but are not limited to, gender identity, sexual orientation, living or having lived with a disability, racial or ethnic background.

Leadership

Social influence that maximizes the efforts of others towards the achievement a goal.

For the purpose of this CFP, enhancing leadership by the disability community means increasing the influence of disability community to maximize the efforts of persons with disabilities and other Canadians towards the achievement of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations, such as, a barrier-free Canada.

Leveraging funds from other sources

Contributions from other partners may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, and must be in support of activities that are integral to the successful completion of the project (for example contribute to the coverage of total project costs).

Mobilizing knowledge

Making evidence and information accessible, understandable and useful for others.

For the purpose of this CFP, knowledge mobilization activities includes, but not limited to, sharing and/ or publishing information, best practices and lessons learned, through activities such as engagement of the disability community and federally regulated entities and other organizations.

Multi-sectoral partnerships

For the purpose of this CFP, multi-sectoral partnerships can include partnerships between the disability community and organizations from outside of the disability community from various sectors, such as:

• academia
• retail
• health
• financial sector, etc.

Partnerships

A relationship between the applicant and another organization who are engaging and collaborating in a project. Partnerships are defined as relationships with organizations that are willing to support the project. This can include providing expertise and organizational capacity to contribute, either in-kind or financially, to the project. This can involve:

• linking or sharing information
• resources
• activities, and/or
• capabilities by different organizations to achieve joint outcome(s)

For the purpose of this CFP, projects must involve a partnership-based approach to better represent a range of disability viewpoints and to maximize the scale and impact of investments.

Rural or remote location

A rural or remote location is defined as a population of less than 1,000 {core population} and where no, or very little, access to the services of the closest municipality with a population of 1,000 or more exists.

Scale-up

The scaling up of projects refers to increased reach of the project to more people. For the purpose of this CFP, this may include expanding and / or adapting the project activities to more persons within the disability community and/ or within other communities, as well as other settings such as workplaces, school boards, health systems, etc.

Sustainability

The ability for activities to continue over time to affect long-term and system-wide change. For the purpose of this funding opportunity, sustainability may take different forms, such as sustaining the effective delivery of programs through new or additional collaborations, integration of projects within new settings (such as workplace, health and educational setting) for ongoing and/or long term delivery or sustained funding for ongoing delivery.

Small to medium-sized organizations

For the purpose of this CFP, small to medium-sized organizations are defined as organizations with 1 to 9 (small) and 10 to 99 (medium) employees.

Underrepresented communities

Includes, but are not limited to:

• LGBTQ2+ persons/groups
• Official Language minority communities
• persons with disabilities in rural and remote areas
• Indigenous populations (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), and
• minority communities including Black and other visible minority groups