Harper government helps Canadians with disabilities
access jobs
Enabling
Accessibility Fund - New Workplace Accessibility Stream Announced
OTTAWA, Dec. 20,
2013 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is inviting small businesses and social
enterprises to apply for funding through the Enabling Accessibility Fund for
projects that will increase accessibility for Canadians with disabilities in
workplaces across the country.
The Enabling
Accessibility Fund call for proposals, which was launched at the Calgary
Chamber of Commerce today, gives eligible small businesses and social
enterprises in all provinces and territories the opportunity to submit
proposals until January 20, 2014.
Organizations
can receive grants of up to $50,000 per project. Projects must address the
objective of removing barriers, improving accessibility and enabling Canadians
with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their local economies.
They must support employment opportunities for people with disabilities through
construction and renovation activities that will improve accessibility in the
workplace.
Quick facts
·
Since the first
call for proposals in 2008, over 1100 projects have been awarded funding to
improve accessibility in Canadian communities.
·
Through Economic
Action Plan 2013, the Government is extending the Enabling Accessibility Fund
on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to continue to improve
accessibility in facilities across Canada, including workplaces.
Enabling
Accessibility Fund - Workplace Accessibility Stream
Projects
receiving funding under the Workplace Accessibility Stream must create or
enhance accessibility in workplaces to enable Canadians with disabilities to
participate more fully in the workforce. This call for proposals closes on January 20, 2014.
Project costs
will be shared between the recipient and government. Contributions equal to or
greater than 50 percent of the total eligible costs of the project must be
provided by sources other than the federal government (which can include the
applicant's own organization).
The following
types of organizations can apply for funding:
·
small businesses (having fewer
than 50 employees and less than $5
million in gross revenue per year); and
·
social enterprises: a business
or venture owned by a not-for-profit organization (including charities and
co-operatives) that is involved in the production and/or selling of goods
and/or services for generating income and achieving value related to social,
cultural, and/or environmental goals.
Eligible
activities for these projects include construction, renovation or retrofitting
of:
·
facilities in which jobs could
be maintained or created specifically for people with disabilities;
·
motor vehicles for work use;
and,
·
information and communications
technologies for work use.
The Enabling
Accessibility Fund (EAF) was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to
support community-based projects across Canada. In 2010, the
EAF was extended with an additional three-year, $45-million commitment and
the creation of a new mid-sized project component.
Economic Action
Plan 2013 strengthens federal programs for Canadians with disabilities to help
them get the skills and training they need to prepare for and find work.
Beginning in 2015-16, more Canadians with disabilities will receive training
for in-demand jobs through ongoing support from the Opportunities Fund for
Persons with Disabilities.
SOURCE
Employment and Social Development Canada
For further
information:
Alexandra
Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482
Media Relations
Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
