PRESS RELEASE: Accessibility Projects Grants Application Process Opens

August 2, 2024 by DABC

-For Immediate Release-

Vancouver, BC – August 2nd, 2024

Today, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has announced that its 2024/2025 Accessibility Projects Grants are open for applications as of Friday August 2nd.

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has provided $450,000 to DABC to distribute as community grants to improve and promote accessibility and inclusion in British Columbia. The Accessibility Projects Grants were first launched in 2018 to commemorate BC’s first Accessibility Week, and over 80 projects have been funded since.

Says Danielle Gauld, the Accessibility Projects Grants coordinator, “We have funded a huge range of projects in the past – everything from accessible fishing and skiing to literacy, nature and art projects, from climate change focused employment rights education to IBPOC Deaf Interpretation Training and a social network pilot for youth with developmental disabilities. We encourage applications from rural regions and multiply-marginalized disability communities, as well as projects that are informed by the lived experience and expertise of people with disabilities. We can’t wait to see who will apply this year!”

Organizations may apply for up to $40,000 for community engagement projects that will support lasting change for the more than 900,000 people (24.7% of population over age 15)[1] in BC living with disability. Projects will focus on one of the following objectives:

  • Accessible employment;
  • Accessible emergency planning and response;
  • Accessible arts, culture and tourism;
  • Accessible sports and recreation;
  • Accessible education and learning;
  • Accessible community participation.

“With the funding from DABC for the Memories In Motion transportation project, participants have expressed that their lives and overall wellbeing have been positively transformed by accessing this service. Together we are creating a better tomorrow for people living with disabilities and a community ‘where everyone, can go everywhere,’” said Debora DeLyzer of the People in Motion project that is examining the role that accessible transportation choices make in addressing issues of social and economic inclusion among people with disabilities living in Kamloops, Te’kumlups First Nation and the broader Thompson-Nicola Region.

The deadline to submit applications is September 13th, 2024 at 12pm Pacific Time. Successful applicants will receive funding to implement their accessibility project in 2025.

To learn more and download the Call for Proposals (CFP) and application forms please visit: Accessibility Projects Grants | DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org).

 

Media Contacts:

Helaine Boyd
Executive Director
helaine@dabc.ca

[1]https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037401&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.13