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The Government of Canada Celebrates Accessibility Improvements for Canadians With Disabilities in Toronto

As a result of the Government of Canada's Enabling Accessibility Fund, nine community projects in Toronto are increasing accessibility for people with disabilities and improving the quality of life of Canadians.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, celebrated these projects today at the Toronto Business Development Centre, one of the organizations that received a grant under the Enabling Accessibility Fund to renovate and retrofit their main entrance, washrooms and meeting rooms.

"We are proud to partner with organizations such as the Toronto Business Development Centre and work toward the full inclusion of people with disabilities," said Minister Finley. "Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Government of Canada is improving access to facilities, activities and services and is enabling all Canadians to participate fully in society."

The Government of Canada has provided $432,565 for nine projects in Toronto that improve accessibility through activities such as the renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings, the modification of vehicles for community use, and enhancements to information and communication technologies.

A call for proposals under the Fund's Small Project Component is currently open and will run until September 23, 2011. For more information, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

Backgrounder

Enabling Accessibility Fund - Small Project Component

Through the Fund's 2010 Call for Proposals for small projects, nine organizations in Toronto received funding for projects to improve accessibility:

--  The Bob Rumball Foundation for the Deaf; 

--  Dixon Hall; 

--  Geneva Centre for Autism; 

--  Houselink; 

--  Humewood House; 

--  Ontario Cornerstone Leadership Corporation; 

--  Toronto Business Development Centre; 

--  Syme Woolner Neighbourhood and Family Centre; and 

--  YWCA Toronto. 

The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. In 2010, the Fund was extended with an additional three-year, $45-million commitment and the creation of a new mid-sized component. Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 600 projects have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in Canadian communities.

Under the Fund's Small Project Component, improvements may include renovations, the construction and retrofitting of buildings, the modification of vehicles for community use, or enhancements to make information and communication technologies more accessible.

A call for proposals under the Fund's Small Project Component is currently open and will run until September 23, 2011. Organizations can receive up to $50,000 per project.

Under the current call for proposals, all projects must create or enhance accessibility for people with disabilities within Canada and must involve community partnerships. At least 25 percent of the total eligible project costs must come from non-federal government sources.

The following types of organizations can apply for funding:

--  not-for-profit organizations; 

--  small municipalities (with a population under 250 000 as per census
    data); 

--  small private-sector organizations (fewer than 50 employees and under $5
    million in gross revenue per year); 

--  colleges and universities; 

--  territorial governments; and 

--  Aboriginal governments. 

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

--  constructing an interior or exterior ramp; 

--  installing wider doors or automated door openers; 

--  building an accessible washroom; 

--  installing an elevator or lift; and 

--  enhancing interactive speech capability on a public-access computer.