The Government of Canada launches funding opportunity to improve participation of Canadians with disabilities in their communities and the labour market

News release

March 29, 2018                    Gatineau, Quebec                    Employment and Social Development Canada

Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, invited not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations, municipalities and territorial governments to apply for funding for retrofit, renovation or new construction projects of accessible facilities or venues through the 2018 Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) call for concepts (CFC) for mid-sized projects.

Through the Enabling Accesibility Fund, the Government of Canada is taking action to ensure Canadians with disabilities have access to services and programs that will help them participate fully in their community and in the labour market.

The EAF mid-sized CFC provides contribution funding to organizations for projects that help improve and make Canadian facilities and venues more accessible for people with disabilities. As a result of the projects, eligible organizations must offer or plan to offer services and programs that support the social and labour market integration needs of people with disabilities. Financial contributions between $350,000 and $1 million will be provided through the current CFC for each successful retrofit, renovation or construction project.

The CFC follows a two-step application approach. First, applicants are invited to submit their project concepts. Then, applicants whose project concepts are successful will be asked to submit a detailed proposal at a later date.

Eligible applicants have until May 24, 2018, to submit their project concept application online, by mail or email.   

Quotes

“Our communities are stronger and everyone benefits when all members of society are included. The Enabling Accessibility Fund aims to do just that, and plays an important role in making sure that Canadians of all abilities are fully included in their workplaces and communities. I encourage eligible organizations to put forward projects that will help create spaces that are accessible to all.”

– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

Quick facts

  • Since the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) in 2007, the Government of Canada has funded over 3,000 projects, helping Canadians gain access to their communities’ programs, services and workplaces.

  • Starting in 2018–19, the EAF grants and contributions budget will grow to $20.65 million, as Budget 2017 provided $77 million ($70 million in grant and contribution funding and $7 million in operational funding) over 10 years to expand the activities of the EAF and support more small and mid-sized projects, including youth‑driven proposals, aimed at improving accessibility in Canadian communities and workplaces.

  • This is the Government of Canada’s second funding opportunity for mid-sized projects under the EAF. The mid-sized projects component was launched in 2010 and since then, has undergone changes to better suit the needs of applicants, including making the objective and parameters of the CFC more precise.

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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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