DABC has received the following information from Employment and Social Development Canada:

Funding is available to improve accessibility and safety in your community spaces and workplaces.

We wish to inform you of a current funding opportunity under the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).  Your business or organization could receive a grant of up to $100,000 through the EAF small projects component to improve accessibility and safety for persons with disabilities.

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $100,000 for the construction, renovation or retrofit of community facilities and workplaces which could include:

·  the construction of ramps, accessible washrooms, accessible doors and the installation of elevators; and/or,

·  the provision of accessible information and communication technologies such as braille printers, accessible computer software and visual alarm systems.

You can apply for this EAF funding opportunity until July 13, 2020, if you are:

·  an Indigenous organization (including band councils, tribal councils and self-governing entities);

·  a territorial government;

·  a business with 99 full-time equivalent employees or less;

·  a not-for-profit organization; or,

·  a municipality with a population under 125,000 as per the 2016 census data.

New for this Call for Proposals:

·  the Government of Canada is providing 100 percent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $100,000, to successful project applications; and,

·  flat rate costing to make it easier for applicants to apply for funding for ramps, accessible washrooms and accessible doors.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this funding process is offering more flexibility where organizations that apply for funding under this CFP will have more time to complete their projects (up to 24 months).  The Department will also assess the organizations applying for projects that fall under flat rate costing on a first come, first served basis in order to expedite funding to success projects.

You may apply now or inform others of this opportunity.

The Enabling Accessibility Fund has also launched a funding process under the EAF Youth Innovation Component, which is currently accepting applications until November 30, 2020.  Let’s build a more accessible Canada!

If you would like to apply for funding or learn more about EAF funding opportunities underway, please visit the EAF funding webpage.

The EAF flowchart may also help you in choosing the right accessibility project for your organization.