The Government of Canada improves accessibility for Canadians

News Release

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 3, 2009—The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced investments across Canada that will expand opportunities for people with disabilities and improve accessibility.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting people with disabilities and their families,” said Minister Finley. “Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund and other initiatives, our government is helping people with disabilities by improving access to facilities, activities and services.”

Over $5.8 million has been made available from the Enabling Accessibility Fund to support 169 community-based projects. These projects are part of a $45-million, three-year commitment to expand opportunities for people with disabilities and improve accessibility across Canada.

The Enabling Accessibility Fund supports community-based programs across the country that improve accessibility and enable all Canadians, regardless of physical ability, to participate in and contribute to their communities and the economy.

This fund is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to address the needs of people with disabilities and help them reach their full potential.

December 3 is the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It also marks the one-year anniversary of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Through the RDSP, families and individuals can save for the long-term financial security of a loved one with a disability. To learn more about the RDSP, visit www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan and other recent federal initiatives are also addressing the needs of people with disabilities and their families through a series of important measures, including:

$1 billion for renovations and energy retrofits to social housing, including renovations that support people with disabilities.

$75 million over two years for the construction of new social housing units for people with disabilities.

$20 million for each of two years to improve the accessibility of federally owned buildings.

Effective doubling of the tax relief provided by the Working Income Tax Benefit, which includes a supplement for persons with disabilities.

Extending the increase in the Home Buyers’ Plan limit and the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit to people with disabilities who are not first-time home buyers but are buying a more accessible or functional home.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For more information (media only):

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Backgrounder

Enabling Accessibility Fund

People with disabilities face a number of barriers, including inaccessible buildings, inadequate support or aids, and a lack of access to transportation, which limit their daily activities. As a result, Canadian communities are not fully benefiting from the participation of people with disabilities.

In 2007, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF), with $45 million over three years to contribute to projects that improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

The Fund promotes vibrant communities in which all individuals can contribute and participate, regardless of physical ability. To this end, the EAF helps communities by funding projects that make buildings, facilities, vehicles, information and communication more accessible for people of varying abilities, and that increase opportunities for everyone to participate socially and economically. Approved projects must have strong ties to and support from the communities they serve, as well as be accessible to the public.

Eligible recipients include:

non-governmental organizations, such as community-based groups and non-profit organizations;

small municipalities (with a population under 250,000 as per the latest census data);

small private sector organizations (fewer than 50 employees and under $5 million in gross revenue per year);

territorial governments; and

Aboriginal governments and organizations.

Examples of eligible activities that enhance or improve accessibility include, but are not limited to:

building an interior or exterior ramp;

installing wider doors or installing automated door openers;

lowering sinks or counters;

improving lighting and increasing colour contrast;

building an accessible washroom;

installing accessible door handles and light switches;

installing an FM loop system;

installing a computer that is voice-interactive; or

installing a wheelchair lift in a community-based vehicle.

List of projects that received funding

2416 1200 Q.C. Inc.	Gladstone Golf and Country Club Inc.	The Abbey for the Arts, Inc.
Acadia Community Association Society #500035456	Glenwell Ltd.	The AIDS Committee of London
Allenford Curling Club	Grace Chapter No. 8, Order of the Eastern Star	The Ash Grove Inn
Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L’Alliance pour l’égalité des personnes aveugles du Canada	Greek Community of Toronto	The Association of Community Living - Winnipeg, Inc.
Alzheimer Society of Canada	Hafford Senior Citizens Centre (1973)	The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble
Amity Goodwill Industries Niagara	Irish Society of Prince Edward Island, Inc.	The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (Ontario)
Association sportive et communautaire du Centre-Sud Inc.	Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church	The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (Saskatchewan 1 of 2)
Birchdale Community Church	Kawartha Region Conservation Authority	The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (Saskatchewan 2 of 2)
Birtle and District Community Development Corp.	Kikinahk Friendship Centre Inc.	The Columbia Valley Ratepayers Association
Brunswick Street Baptist Church Ltd.	La Fabrique de la paroisse de Notre-Dame-des-Neiges	The Community Village Society of the Peace Country
Building Opportunities with Business Inner City Society	Lambton County Developmental Services	The Corporation of the City of Barrie
Calvary Christian Reformed Church of Chatham	L’Atelier de Formation Socioprofessionnelle de la Petite-Nation	The Corporation of the Municipality of Temagami
Camp Peniel Society	Laurentian Hills Public Library	The Corporation of the Town of Lincoln
Canoe Cove Christian Camp Inc.	Leads Employment Services London Inc.	The Corporation of the Township of Algonquin Highlands
Central British Columbia Railway and Forest Industry Museum	Les Étincelles de Bonheur du Haut Saint-François	The Corporation of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
Centre communautaire de loisir Sherbrooke Inc.	Lone Ridge Community Hall Association	The Corporation of the Township of Front of Yonge
Centre Loisir Multi-Plus	Maison des Organismes Communautaire de Sept-Îles	The Corporation of the Township of Larder Lake
Champions Career Centre Ltd.	Maugerville United Baptist Church	The Corporation of the Township of Seguin
Chester Municipal Heritage Society	Municipalité Ste-Françoise	The Corporation of the United Townships of Head, Clara and Maria
Chetwynd Public Library and District of Chetwynd	Nanaimo Child Development Centre Society	The Governing Council of The Salvation Army
Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation Inc.	Native Council of Nova Scotia Zone 10	The Governing Council of The Salvation Army Canada
City of Dawson Creek	Nechako Valley Community Services Society	The London Potters Guild
City of Quesnel	Ne-chee Friendship Centre	The MS Society of Canada, Ottawa Chapter
City of Yorkton	New Brunswick Association for Community Living/Association du Nouveau-Brunswick pour l’intégration communautaire	The Participation House Project (Durham Region)
Clements Centre Society	New Horizon Rama Golden Jets Club	The Saint John Theatre Company Inc.
Club de Golf de Cowansville Inc.	Nokomis Baptist Church	The Seton Centre Inc.
Comité Main dans la main de La Corne	North Star Toy Lending Library 623633 Ont. Ltd	The St. Christopher House
Community Association for Riding for the Disabled	Oliver Parks and Recreation Society	The Synod of the Diocese of Niagara...St Paul’s Anglican Church Westdale
Community Care North Hastings Inc.	Order of St. Benedict	The Town of Oakville
Community Connections Inc.	OWLware Limited - 1563169	The United Way of Fort McMurray
Community Futures Manitoba Inc.	Pacific Assistance Dogs Society	The YWCA Residence Inc.
Comox Valley Child Development Association	Pearce Williams United Church Christian Centre	Town of Eatonia
Corbrook Sheltered Workshop	Prince George and District Senior Citizens Activity Center Society	Town of Ingersoll (1 of 2)
Corporation of the City of Kenora (1 of 3)	Raymore Sacred Heart Church	Town of Ingersoll (2 of 2)
Corporation of the City of Kenora (2 of 3)	Red Deer Family Service Bureau	Town of Inuvik
Corporation of the City of Kenora (3 of 3)	Red Lake District Adult Learning Centre	Town of Neepawa
Corporation of the City of Port Colborne	Richmond Centre for Disability	Town of Pelham Public Library
Corporation of the District of Saanich	Rideau Valley Conservation Authority	Town of Treherne
Corporation of the Municipality of South Bruce	Royal Canadian Legion Branch 302	Trajet jeunesse Inc.
Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg	Rundle’s Mission Society	Treasure Island Day Care Centre (Orillia)
Corporation of the Town of Carleton Place	Sack-a-Wa Canoe Club	Trent Hills and District Chamber of Commerce
Corporation of the Town of Grimsby	Saint James Anglican Church	Tweed and Area Arts Council
Corporation of the Town of Whitchurch–Stouffville	Saskatchewan Abilities Council	Ukrainian Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Saskatchewan
Corporation of the Township of Hamilton	Scadding Court Community Centre	Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor, Inc.
Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac	Shaarei-Beth El Congregation of Halton	Vancouver Island Providence Community Association
Cut Knife Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada	Smithville United Church	Vera Perlin Society Inc.
Dawson City Arts Society	Southern Alberta Art Gallery Association	Victory Church of Saskatoon
District of Tumbler Ridge	Southwestern Manitoba Regional Library	Village of Denzil
Dokis First Nation	St. Andrew’s United Church, Burnstown	Village of St-Pierre-Jolys
Dreams In Motion Performing and Fine Arts School	St. Christopher’s Anglican Church	Ville de Boisbriand
Dunn and Bay Holdings	St. Margaret’s Bay Shambhala Centre	Wesley United Church
Elgin Community Futures Development Corporation	St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church	Wesley Urban Ministries Inc.
Emmanuel United Church	St. Paul’s Anglican Church	Westmeath and District Recreation Corporation
Evolution Hearst Limited	St. Paul’s Anglican Congregation Community Hall	Willow Springs Creative Centre
First Baptist Church - Waterloo	St. Philippe Neri Roman Catholic Church	YMCA of Peterborough
Five Oaks Christian Workers’ Center	Summer Street Industries	Young Community Hall
Fort St. James Public Library Association

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The Government of Canada improves accessibility for Canadians

News Release

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