Government of Canada improves accessibility and removes barriers for people with disabilities in two Ontario YMCAs
News Release
January 10, 2018 Waterloo, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
Through support from the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA in Kitchener and Stork Family YMCA in Waterloo are now better equipped to allow the full participation of people with disabilities in their facilities. The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, made the announcement today at the Stork Family YMCA of Waterloo.
Thanks to the funding, the YMCAs in the communities of Waterloo and Kitchener have widened and paved their walkways, installed 8 automatic door openers and 7 push buttons, installed guard bars in washrooms, fold down benches in change room showers, all of which will allow people with disabilities to participate independently in all activities offered by both organizations.
Both of these projects are great examples of how the Enabling Accessibility Fund can increase opportunities for social participation of people with disabilities in their communities.
Quotes
“The A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA in Kitchener and Stork Family YMCA in Waterloo have made some great improvements to the accessibility of their facilities. Organizations like these that are at the heart of their communities and are helping in making a difference for people with disabilities by allowing them to fully participate in their activities and to live engaging lives.”
– The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
“At the YMCA we pride ourselves on being a place where everyone belongs. We are grateful to Employment and Social Development Canada for providing us with an accessibility grant to ensure our facility and the programs we offer are accessible to everyone.”
– Peter Sweeney, CEO, YMCA of Waterloo
Quick Facts
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The Enabling Accessibility Fund has an annual budget of $15 million.
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Since the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Government of Canada has funded over 2,890 projects, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to employment opportunities and programs, services and workplaces in their communities.
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Budget 2016 provided an additional $4 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, for the Enabling Accessibility Fund’s community stream to support the capital costs of construction and renovation related to improving physical accessibility and safety for Canadians with disabilities.
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Budget 2017 provided $77 million over 10 years, starting in 2018–19, to expand the activities of the Enabling Accessibility Fund. This will enable the program to support more small and mid-sized projects in Canadian communities and workplaces.
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Contacts
Annabelle Archambault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
819-934-1122 / TTY: 1-866-702-6967
annabelle.archambault@canada.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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