October 18, 2023          Gatineau, Quebec            Employment and Social Development Canada

All Canadians should have equal access to programs, services and supports. That is why the Government of Canada continues to invest in programs that help remove barriers to accessibility, increase inclusion, and empower persons with disabilities to fully engage in their communities.

Today, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, launched a new call for proposals (CFP) under the Enabling Accessibility Fund’s (EAF) mid-sized projects component. Up to $3 million per project is available under this CFP to support larger new construction, renovation and/or retrofit projects. Proposed projects can take place in workplaces, respite centers, sport centers, and community centers, and aimed at increasing access to programs and services targeted to persons with disabilities who are on active waitlists.

To be eligible for this funding, the facility must be used by an organization that either exclusively serves persons with disabilities or offers more than one program, service and/or support targeted to persons with disabilities.  An example would be the expansion of a respite center to help accommodate more participants in day programs and thereby reduce an existing waitlist of persons with disabilities seeking access to these programs.

Eligible organizations are invited to submit their funding application(s) by December 13, 2023 (TBC) at 5:00 p.m. EST online at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/enabling-accessibility-fund-mid-size.html.Online information sessions will be offered to support organizations through the application process. More information on those information sessions will be available on the Enabling Accessibility Fund funding page link.

This funding supports the development of accessible and inclusive communities, aligning with the Government’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which strive to build a truly inclusive Canada, free of physical, societal, and attitudinal barriers.