1. Enabling Accessibility Fund
Presentation to the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) Wellness Gathering by
Employment and Social Development Canada, Office for Disability Issues
March 2019

2. What is the Enabling Accessibility Fund?
The EAF is a grants and contributions program that supports capital costs of construction and renovations related to improving physical accessibility and safety for people with disabilities in Canada to access programs, services and work.
Goal: Support community-based projects across Canada that improve accessibility, remove barriers, and enable Canadians with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their community and the job market.
Since its creation in 2007, the EAF has funded over 3,500 projects across Canada.

3. Three Program Components: Small Projects
Supports small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that increase accessibility in communities or workplaces.
Provides grant funding up to $100,000 per eligible project.
Project activities can include ramps, elevators, automated door openers, accessible toilets, grab bars, taps, adapted computer software, visual alarm systems, FM loop systems, accessible signage, tactile cues, and painting baseboards and door frames with contrasting colours.

4. Three Program Components: Mid-Sized Projects
Supports larger retrofit, renovation or construction projects of facilities or venues that offer or will offer programs and services that aim to help the social and job market integration of people with disabilities in a holistic manner.
Provides contributions of up to $3 million per eligible project.
Project activities that can be funded include the construction, renovation and retrofit of common areas of a community centre that offer or will offer programs or services for persons with disabilities, such as accessible meeting rooms, washrooms, service counters, etc.

5. Three Program Components: Youth Innovation
Introduced as a pilot in 2017 to support a broader culture change by instilling in youth an awareness of accessibility opportunities to break down barriers.
Empowers youth to identify accessibility barriers within their communities and work with local organizations to find solutions to increase accessibility and safety in community spaces and workplaces.
Gives youth the unique opportunity to make a difference for people with disabilities in their communities and help them develop valuable skills and gain key experience.
The component provides funding up to $10,000 per eligible project.
Innovative projects example include accessible beach wheelchairs, adapted Kayaks and mobile gardens.

6. National Snapshot
418 projects funded in BC

7. Program’s Latest News
For the first time in the history of the EAF program, ESDC launched three funding processes in one fiscal year ( ):
Small projects call for proposals (up to $100K per project)
Over 400 projects funded
Mid-sized projects call for concepts ($350K to $1M per project)
Approximately 10 projects funded
Youth call for expression of interest (up to $10K per project)
53 projects funded

8. Program Opportunities
Be responsive to the applicants’ needs
Program needs to address the specific realities and challenges faced by Indigenous communities
Realities of rural, remote, isolated communities and increased construction costs in those communities
Increase and support youth engagement
Need to better understand the role that youth members play within Indigenous communities; and
Find ways to effectively reach out to youth and engage them to improve accessibility in their community.

9. How to Apply When to Apply
Under the three components, eligible recipients can apply for funding through periodic funding processes, where eligibility criteria are further defined.
Funding announcements are made on EAF’s website at
Who Can Apply
Not-for-profit organizations (includes social enterprises);
For profit organizations;
Municipalities;
Indigenous organizations (includes band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities); and
Territorial governments.

10. Thank You!
Contact:
Joanne Winter
Director – Programs Division
Office for Disability Issues
Employment and Social Development Canada
Website: