Markham, Ontario, October 11, 2011—The Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund is helping people with disabilities in Markham and the surrounding area to gain full access to the Markham Centre for Skills and Independence.
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament for Thornhill, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced $1,044,000 in funding to help the Canadian Federation of Chabad Lubavitch build a fully accessible addition to its facility, the Markham Centre for Skills and Independence.
“We are proud to partner with organizations such as the Canadian Federation of Chabad Lubavitch in working towards the full inclusion of people with disabilities,” said Minister Kent. “Community-based projects like this one are helping people with disabilities across Canada participate in and contribute to their communities.”
The new addition, as well as other accessibility improvements, will enable the facility to expand its services for people with disabilities and other members of the community.
Since 2008, the Enabling Accessibility Fund has supported more than 600 projects across Canada that have improved accessibility and created jobs.
For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills DevelopmentCanada
819-994-5559
The Enabling Accessibility Fund
Budget 2007 announced the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) with funding of $45 million over three years to assist communities with projects that improve accessibility for people with varying abilities.
In Budget 2010, the Government of Canada invested an additional $45 million, over three years, so that Canadians with disabilities would have better access to various types of facilities across the country. With the renewal of the EAF in 2010, a new mid-sized project component was added and the small project component of the EAF was extended.
Mid-sized Project Component
Organizations could receive contribution funding of $500,000 to $3 million under the Mid-sized Component of the Fund for projects that create or enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. Projects include retrofits, renovations or new construction of facilities within Canada that house services and programs that focus on the social and labour market integration needs of people with disabilities. All funded projects involve community partnerships.
A call for proposals for mid-sized projects ran from October 28, 2010, to January 13, 2011.
