Last month, the Government of Canada announced the Enabling Accessibility Fund’s (EAF) 2017 call for proposals, an opportunity for businesses, community organizations, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, school boards, and small municipalities to apply for federal funding to facilitate the hiring of Canadians with disabilities which may prevent them from fully participating in their communities.
In related news, and in celebration of Canada 150, a portion of the EAF budget this year will be dedicated to 150 youth-driven projects across the country that aim to increase accessibility to community facilities and workplaces. These projects will be funded up to a maximum of $10,000 each.
“Working in politics is challenging and often negative and divisive,” says Provencher MP Ted Falk. “That’s why it is so encouraging when a common-sense program comes along that everyone can get behind, regardless of party affiliation or ideology. As a largely rural riding, Provencher poses some unique challenges, one of which is accessibility.”
Examples of projects that would qualify for funding, according to Falk, include the capital costs of renovation, construction, and retrofit activities. He adds that the fund can also allow organizations to upgrade to accessibility technologies in workplaces and communities.
Since the creation of the EAF, the federal government has funded more than 2,890 different projects.
“I encourage businesses and organizations in our riding to apply for funding and help make Provencher a better, more accessible, community for us all,” Falk says.
Eligible businesses and organizations have until Wednesday, July 26 to submit their applications to the EAF.
