Government of Canada improves accessibility for Canadians with disabilities
LONDON, ON, Jan. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - The chalet at Boler Mountain will soon be accessible to everyone with the installation of a new elevator. The Honorable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities was very pleased to announce that the Enabling Accessibility Fund is once again helping to enhance access for people with disabilities.
The London Ski Club has recently received $45,000 through the Fund to increase access to their facility.
The funding is enabling the Club at Boler Mountain to install an elevator that will provide greater access to the second floor of the chalet and offer a community space that is inclusive to all, with new accessible meeting spaces. This funding will also provide expanded access to existing programs and go towards the creation of new programs, as well as more volunteer and work opportunities.
The London Ski Club is also home to the London Track 3 Ski School. This non-profit organization provides downhill ski and snowboarding programs for children and adults with physical, cognitive, visual and hearing challenges.
Canadians with disabilities face challenges every day, which prevent them from participating fully in their communities and workplaces. The Government of Canada is committed to increasing accessibility and ensuring that everyone has equal access and opportunity through programs such as the Enabling Accessibility Fund.
The project at Boler Mountain is one of 575 projects approved through the 2016 small projects call for proposals. Organizations were invited to apply for funding for projects that increase accessibility and inclusion of Canadians with disabilities in their communities and workplaces.
Quotes
"As Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, I am very happy to see the London Ski Club take the initiative to make their facilities more accessible so that everyone who wants to can enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle and has the opportunity to learn how to ski or snowboard to remain physically active."
? The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
Quick Facts
- The Enabling Accessibility Fund has an annual budget of $15 million.
- Since the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Government of Canada has funded over 2,890 projects, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to their communities' programs, services and workplaces.
- In July 2016, the launch of the Accessible Canada website (Canada.ca/Accessible-Canada) signaled the initiation of online consultations to inform the development of federal accessibility legislation. In addition, between September 2016 and February 2017, the Government of Canada conducted 18 public sessions and 9 roundtables in 18 cities across Canada.
- A national youth forum was held in November 2016 to seek input from youth with disabilities or youth with relevant work, education and life experiences.
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Backgrounder
Enabling Accessibility Fund
The Enabling Accessibility Fund is a federal grants and contributions program which supports community-based projects across Canada aimed at improving accessibility in public facilities and in workplaces.
Funding is provided through two streams: Community Accessibility Stream and Workplace Accessibility Stream.
The Community Accessibility Stream provides funding to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that improve accessibility in public facilities to improve access to programs and services for people with disabilities. Projects must be directly related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities. All projects must also respond to specific eligibility criteria identified in the call for proposals, including support from the community.
The Workplace Accessibility Stream supports projects that improve accessibility and safety in workplaces across Canada through capital cost investments, i.e. renovation, retrofit or construction of facilities in which job opportunities can be created or maintained for people with disabilities. Projects must respond to systemic accessibility issues in workplaces.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
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