Speaking notes
for
the Honourable Jason Kenney,
Minister for Employment and Social Development
and Minister for Multiculturalism
to announce
a Call for Proposals for Projects
under the Workplace Stream
of the Enabling Accessibility Fund
Calgary, Alberta
December 20, 2013
Check against delivery
Good morning.
It’s great to be here with our friends at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for hosting us today.
I’m here to talk about workplace accessibility. That’s something that most of us hardly notice.
Getting about by car, using public transit, entering a building, going up and down stairs, are things that most of us can do without even thinking.
Until we have a disability.
For millions of people in this country, accessibility is an important issue, because it can make the difference between getting a job or not, being independent or not, feeling included or not.
People with disabilities face barriers everywhere they go.
Those barriers used to be much worse.
I’m thinking of people who had polio before it was eradicated thanks to the vaccine.
Many learned to walk with a brace and a cane, but getting around was still a challenge.
I remember a guy who told me once that as a boy at school in the 1950’s, he literally had to pull himself up the stairs. He could do it, by hanging on to the handrail and using his arms, but it took him four times as much effort as anybody else.
At the time, no one thought of adapting buildings to make them more accessible for people with disabilities.
Over the years, we have seen a real change in attitudes.
Sloping sidewalks, handrails, wheelchair ramps, kneeling buses, and elevators where there used to be stairs— are all making life easier for Canadians with disabilities.
Gradually, barriers are being removed, and they can now shop for clothes, eat in a restaurant, meet a friend for a coffee, or take in a show, with a lot less strain.
We should be proud of that.
But there are still some obstacles to overcome.
Just imagine how disappointing it must be to arrive for an interview for a job you really want, only to discover that you can’t get in the building.
Just imagine how unfair it is not to have the level of accessibility that you need to perform in the workplace.
We need to think harder about accessibility, and take it into consideration when we design new facilities or renovate existing ones.
It’s a question of fairness and respect.
But it also makes good economic sense. At a time when we’re facing skills and labour shortages in some regions and industries, we need all of our talent at work.
Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Canadians with disabilities have a lot to contribute, but have historically been under-represented in the labour force.
Earlier this year, an expert panel found that almost 800 000 Canadians with disabilities, who were capable of working, had yet to find a job.
Employers are sometimes reluctant to hire people with disabilities because they think it will be too difficult to adapt the workplace to accommodate them.
But increasing accessibility does not have to be an expensive proposition. Very simple changes, such as installing stronger handrails, can make a big difference to employees with disabilities.
Our government is dedicated to ensuring all Canadians have the opportunity to participate in, and contribute to our society and economy.
That’s why we commend the many organizations in Canada dedicated to accessibility to smooth the way for people with disabilities.
That is why we invest in programs like the Enabling Accessibility Fund.
The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally launched in 2007 as a federal program to support community projects across Canada that improve accessibility.
Since its creation, the Fund has supported more than
1,100 projects in communities across Canada that are helping people with disabilities gain greater access to facilities, programs and services.
Today I am pleased to announce a call for proposals for accessibility projects through a new stream of the program— the Workplace Accessibility stream.
Who can apply? Small businesses and social enterprises owned by non-profit organizations.
They can receive grants up to $50,000 per project.
To qualify for a grant, projects must involve construction, renovation or retro-fitting that will enhance accessibility in workplaces.
This could mean, for example, adapting a delivery van for use by an employee with a disability, installing a voice-activated computer, a TTY telephone service or computer screen magnifiers.
It could also mean installing automatic door openers, flashing light emergency signals for employees with hearing impairments, or features to help those with low vision navigate the work place.
These enhancements will make it easier for Canadians with disabilities to get and retain jobs.
The deadline for submitting proposals is January 20, 2014.
I encourage employers to use this fund to create accessible workplaces for people with disabilities so that they have better job opportunities.
I also urge employers to do more to train and hire Canadians with disabilities and to ensure their workplaces are accessible.
Thank you.
-30-
