Today, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, announced financial support of more than $4 million over two years through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) small and mid-sized projects components to over 60 organizations in the province of Quebec.

“Through programs like the Enabling Accessibility Fund, our government is breaking down existing barriers within our public spaces, like our libraries, to create better access for all. We work to ensure we are inclusive by design in everything we do and in everything we invest in. The investment in accessible books announced today reflects this work, as it is about making sure books are born accessible so that persons with disabilities have better opportunities to read and learn. It is also about increasing the production and distribution of books in accessible formats so that more Canadians with disabilities can take advantage of the resources that exist. Our country is at its best and we all benefit when everyone has opportunities to participate on an equal basis. Together, we are building a more accessible and inclusive Canada.”
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility

“This is a dream come true for the Atwater Library! We are extremely grateful to the Government of Canada for the financial support through the Enabling Accessibility Fund. We are thrilled at the prospect of being able to serve comfortably the many people who now struggle with our long steep stairs, and relieved that we will finally be able to offer access to those with more serious physical disabilities.”
– Lynn Verge, Executive Director, Atwater Library and Computer Centre

• Today’s EAF announcement includes projects supported under the small and mid-sized projects components of the program.

• Budget 2017 provided $77 million over ten years, starting in 2018-19, to expand the activities of the EAF, allowing the program to support even more small and mid-sized projects and to launch the new Youth Innovation Component, so that Canadians of all abilities have better access to their community spaces and workplaces.

• The EAF received additional funding as part of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. Through this plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

• The Government of Canada is providing $1 million to the National Network for Equitable Library Service in 2019–20 to work on improving the accessibility of e‑books, and to support production of alternate format materials requested by library users.

• Budget 2019 also proposes an investment of:

  • $22.8 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, to assist Canada’s independent book publishing industry with increasing their production and distribution of books in accessible formats for persons with print disabilities;
  • $1 million in 2019–20 to help connect persons with visual impairments to employers of small and medium-sized businesses;
  • $3 million in 2019–20 to the Centre for Equitable Library Access, to produce new accessible reading materials that will be available through public libraries across Canada;
  • $500,000 in 2019–20 towards finding ways to improve the accessibility of electronic payment terminals to enable persons with disabilities to conduct daily activities.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Enabling Accessibility Fund ensures safer, easier access to Quebec public spaces and workplaces

Associated links

• Enabling Accessibility Fund
• Government of Canada invites youth leaders to help build a more accessible Canada
• Making an accessible Canada for persons with disabilities
• National AccessAbility Week – May 26 to June 1
• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

Ashley Michnowski
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough
819-997-5421
ashley.michnowski@canada.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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