March 16, 2015– North Vancouver, B.C.– Employment and Social Development Canada
The 2015 Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Call for Proposals for community-based projects was launched today by the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, accompanied by Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Finance and MP for North Vancouver. The launch event took place at the North Vancouver District Public Library.
Eligible organizations from all provinces and territories are encouraged to apply for funding for projects that will help improve accessibility in community facilities across Canada. The deadline for submissions is April 27, 2015. Proposals can involve a wide variety of projects, however priority will be given to projects that enhance access for children with disabilities (e.g. outdoor playgrounds), Veterans with disabilities or seniors with disabilities.
It is important to note that municipalities are also eligible to apply in support of the first priority (access for children with disabilities) since a large number of recreational facilities are under their management. As such, all municipalities, regardless of size, have been included as eligible recipients under this priority only and are strongly encouraged to apply.
Minister Bergen and Mr. Saxton toured the library to see first-hand the improvements made with a 2011 EAF grant of over $70,000. The project, headed by the Friends of the North Vancouver District Public Library Society, created an accessible library area with automatic door openers for the washrooms, an accessible check-out counter and accessible information and communication technologies. People with disabilities are now able to participate in all activities and access the services offered by the library.
Over 11 million in funding is available through this year’s call for proposals. All applications are reviewed against eligibility criteria, call for proposal requirements and program objectives.
Application information is available on Employment and Social Development Canada’s website at http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/community.shtml.
“Our Government remains committed to supporting Canadians and their families. I encourage organizations to take this opportunity to submit their proposals for projects, in particular those for children, such as playgrounds and recreational facilities. The Enabling Accessibility Fund is an excellent program that builds on our Government’s family benefits by eliminating barriers and helping all Canadians to fully participate in and contribute to their communities.”
“Today’s announcement reiterates our Government’s focus on helping hard-working Canadian families make ends meet, by making important priorities like child care and after-school sports more affordable. Our Government has ensured that every family with children will have more money in their pockets, to spend on their priorities as a family.”
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development and MP for Portage-Lisgar
“The Lynn Valley Library is an excellent example of the Enabling Accessibility Fund at work. Through programs such as this, our Government is making our shared spaces better accessible and more inclusive for all individuals, which strengthens our communities and fosters productivity. I’m pleased to see communities nationwide benefitting from the EAF program.”
– Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and MP for North Vancouver
Austin Jean
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State for Social Development
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Employment and Social Development Canada
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The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Economic Action Plan 2013 extended the EAF on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to continue to help improve communities and workplaces accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.
Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 1,800 projects have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in Canadian communities and workplaces.
The community accessibility stream of the Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that improve accessibility. To be considered eligible for funding, projects must be directly related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities. All projects must also respond to funding priorities identified during the present call for proposals, including support from their community.
For further information on how to submit proposals under the current call for community-based projects, please visit: www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/
