May 28, 2024 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
More inclusive and accessible spaces, services and workplaces are critical to helping Canadians, including persons with disabilities, to fully participate and meaningfully contribute to society and the economy. The Government of Canada is strongly committed to support organizations that increase accessibility and inclusion in their communities and contributing to creating a barrier-free access for everyone.
Today, as part of National AccessAbility Week 2024, the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, launched a new call for proposals (CFP) under the small projects component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).
Under this new CFP, $14.7 million has been allocated to fund approximately 150 small scale construction projects across the country. Each project could receive up to $125,000, and priority will be given to accessibility projects led by Indigenous organizations and projects led by organizations that deliver services to support persons with disabilities living in poverty, such as shelters, food banks and clothing charities.
Minister Khera also announced over $18.7 million in funding for 264 projects submitted under the EAF small 2022 CFP process that are driving positive change in communities across the country. This funding is in addition to the $70.8 million announced in May 2023, for 902 accessibility projects that are helping to increase the social and labour market participation of persons with disabilities, which brings the Government's total investment under the 2022 CFP to more than $89 million.
The EAF program supports the Government's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which is focused on reducing poverty among persons with disabilities, helping persons with disabilities into good quality jobs, facilitating easier access to federal programs and services, and building accessible and inclusive communities while fostering a culture of inclusion.
Organizations have until 3:00 p.m. EDT on July 23, 2024 to submit a proposal online at Enabling Accessibility Fund - Small Projects.
