Enabling Accessibility Fund – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and equipment eligibility
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Eligible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and equipment
In addition to accessibility-related construction, renovation, and retrofit activities, the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) also provides funding for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and equipment.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
ICT refers to specialized technologies designed to assist individuals with disabilities in accessing, interacting with, and benefiting from digital information and communication systems. Examples of eligible ICT activities include (but are not limited to):
- purchasing accessible software (for example, Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software, JAWS screen-reading software)
- purchasing adapted ICT equipment (for example, braille or large print keyboards, adaptive button/mouse, adaptive controller, Virtual Reality headsets or goggles)
- installation of an audio induction loop system
- purchasing noise-cancelling headphones
- 50% of the quoted costs related the creation of a new accessible website or remediation of a current website to be accessible
- the quote attached to your application must show 100% of the costs related to your accessible website, and ESDC will validate that your requested funding amount is 50% of your quoted costs
- your accessibility website modifications must be compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. These guidelines were established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and explain how to make web content more accessible for persons with disabilities
- while accessibility audits/assessments are generally ineligible under the EAF, there is an exception for accessibility improvements to websites. Accessibility audits/assessments that are part of a website project are eligible, as long as they are accompanied by accessibility improvements to the website
Equipment
Examples of eligible equipment activities include (but are not limited to):
- purchasing adaptive and accessible sports and recreational equipment for community use (for example, para-hockey sledges, all-terrain beach wheelchairs, pool wheelchairs, adaptive mountain bikes, adaptive paddleboards, etc.)
- This equipment is ineligible for a for-profit organization because the equipment is being used to generate a profit, such as through a rental fee
- purchasing universally accessible accessories and furniture (for example, accessible seating in a concert hall)
- purchasing sensory tools and equipment (for example, weighted vests/blankets, balance boards, bubble tubes, fidget items, etc.)
Requirements for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and equipment requests
In your request for ICT and equipment, you must clearly demonstrate:
- the need for the number of devices or pieces of equipment you are requesting
- how the item(s) will be used by persons with disabilities
- how the purchase meets the need of persons with disabilities or reduces or eliminates barriers
- which disability type(s) the item addresses
- that the items are for the use of multiple persons with disabilities (transferable)
- the items are not personalized or specific for one individual (for example, personal wheelchairs, hearing aids)
Additional eligibility conditions for accessible software
Software is a generic term used to refer to applications, scripts, and programs that run on a device. Accessible software is designed to work for people who experience disabilities, such as visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments, and who may access software using an assistive device. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software
- JAWS screen-reader software
- ZoomText magnification software
In addition to the requirements for ICT and equipment requests listed above, you must address the following in your project description for accessible software requests, depending on the funding stream for which you are applying.
Accessible software: Stream conditions
Workplace accessibility stream
- The software must be necessary to create or maintain job opportunities for persons with disabilities (for example, licenses for employees with disabilities)
- If more than 5 licenses for the same software are requested:
- you must describe how the number of licenses requested does not exceed 20% of the total number of workstations (for example, an employer with 80 workstations equipped with hardware to host the software (desktop, laptop, tablet) could request funding for up to 16 licenses)
Community accessibility stream
- The software must be for the use of multiple persons with disabilities and provide access to programs and services (for example, installation of screen reader software on a library computer to provide access to the internet for users with visual disabilities)
- If more than 5 licenses for the same software are requested:
- You must describe how the number of licenses requested does not exceed 20% of the total number of workstations (for example, a computer lab with 50 workstations could request a maximum of 10 licenses)
Accessible software: Both streams
Applicable to both workplace and community accessibility streams
- If more than 20% of your employees or participants/users are persons with disabilities, ESDC may consider adjusting the number of licences accordingly
- You must indicate if the software is a one-time purchase (for example, a perpetual license) or a subscription-based purchase. ESDC prioritizes the purchase of perpetual licenses
- If a perpetual license is not available and the accessible software is only offered as a subscription-based purchase, ESDC will fund a one-year subscription one time only
- it is your organization's responsibility to plan for and integrate adaptive software subscription renewal costs to your operating expenses for when the initial subscription expires, as funding may not be available nor guaranteed in the future
Additional eligibility conditions for adapted Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment
Adapted ICT equipment are items specially designed with the intent of providing disability support. Examples include but are not limited to:
- braille or large print keyboards
- adaptive button/mouse
- adaptive controllers
- FM loop systems or induction loop systems
- text magnifiers
- smartboards
In addition to the requirements for ICT and equipment requests listed above, you must address the following in your project description for adapted ICT equipment requests, depending on the funding stream for which you are applying.
Adapted ICT equipment: Stream conditions
Workplace accessibility stream
- The adapted ICT equipment must be used in a communal space in a workplace setting (for example, hearing loop system in boardroom)
- Items for individual work set-up (for example, braille keyboard at an employee's desk) are not eligible
- If more than 5 pieces of the same equipment are requested:
- you must describe how the number of equipment requested does not exceed 20% of the total number of workstations (for example, a warehouse with 20 shared workstations could request a maximum of 4 text magnifiers)
Community accessibility stream
- The adapted ICT equipment must be for the use of multiple persons with disabilities and provide access to programs and services (for example, Smartboard in a community day program)
- If more than 5 pieces of the same equipment are requested:
- you must describe how the number of equipment requested does not exceed 20% of the total number of workstations (for example, a library with 50 workstations could request a maximum of 10 large print keyboards)
Adapted ICT equipment: Both streams
Applicable to both workplace and community accessibility streams
- If more than 20% of your employees or participants/users are persons with disabilities, ESDC may consider adjusting the number of items accordingly
Additional eligibility conditions for office or workplace furniture/equipment
Office or workplace furniture and equipment are items that supports persons with disabilities in a workplace setting (for example, barista in a coffee shop, landscaper, grocery store clerk, etc.). Examples include, but are not limited to:
- adapted seating
- anti-fatigue mats
- height-adjustable desks or tables
- footrests
In addition to the requirements for ICT and equipment requests listed above, you must address the following in your project description for office or workplace equipment requests, depending on the funding stream for which you are applying.
Office or workplace furniture/equipment: Stream conditions
Workplace accessibility stream
- The items/equipment must be used in a communal space in a workplace setting (for example, accessible seating in boardroom or kitchen)
- Equipment for an individual work set-up (for example, height-adjustable desk in an employee's cubicle, anti-fatigue mat at a cash register) is not eligible.
- If more than 5 pieces of the same equipment are requested:
- You must describe how the number of equipment requested does not exceed 20% of the total number of workstations (for example, a boardroom with 50 chairs could receive EAF funding for a maximum of 10 chairs)
Community accessibility stream
- The items/equipment must be for the use of multiple persons with disabilities, and provide access to programs and services (for example, height-adjustable table in a library to provide access for a space to read or use a computer for users with mobility disabilities)
- If more than 5 pieces of the same equipment are requested:
- you must describe how the number of equipment requested does not exceed 20% of the total number of workstations (for example, a library with 50 tables could receive EAF funding for a maximum of 10 tables)
Office or workplace furniture/equipment: Both streams
Applicable to both workplace and community accessibility streams
- If more than 20% of your employees or participants/users are persons with disabilities, ESDC may consider adjusting the number of items accordingly
- If alternative seating (yoga balls, cross-leg chairs, bean bag chairs) is requested, it must be part of a multi-sensory environment, otherwise it will be ineligible
- any items related to multi-sensory environments must be requested through the flat rate calculator. Refer to the Multi-sensory Environments section in the flat rate information sheet for guidance
Ineligible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and equipment
Ineligible ICT and equipment activities include, but are not limited to:
- computers, laptops, and tablets
- items that are specific or personalized for one individual (for example, personal wheelchairs, hearing aids)
- web accessibility overlays (for example, widgets or plug-ins added to websites that seek to address accessibility issues)
- common/generic software (for example, Microsoft Office Suites)
- medical equipment (for example, items used to provide medical care such as optometry equipment, defibrillators, etc.)
- furniture or equipment that does not include features to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities
- if a detailed and exhaustive rationale is provided on how the requested equipment increases/provides accessibility to programs, services, or employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, the equipment may be considered
- accessibility equipment and devices sourced from outside of Canada
- items purchased outside of Canada may be eligible if the applicant provides a rationale demonstrating the absence of a supplier in Canada
- the lower cost of items is not an acceptable rationale for purchasing items outside of Canada