Government of Canada announces new funding opportunity to strengthen youth leadership and increase accessibility and inclusion
News release
May 30, 2024 Toronto, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
Every day, youth across Canada and around the world are actively engaged in issues that matter to them, impacting not only their daily lives but also their future. This includes making positive change in their communities to remove barriers to achieving a fully accessible and inclusive country. The Government of Canada is committed to helping youth reach their full potential by developing leadership skills, gaining valuable experience, and making a positive difference in improving accessibility within their communities.
Today, as part of National AccessAbility Week 2024, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, launched a new call for proposals (CFP) under the youth innovation component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF). Under this new CFP, $1 million will be allocated to fund approximately 83 new youth-driven accessibility projects. For the occasion, the Minister visited the Toronto Jewish Disability Network in Toronto, Ontario, which offers resources and support to persons with disabilities and their families.
As a first step for this EAF Youth 2024 CFP process, Canadian youth between the ages of 15 and 30 are encouraged to apply to become a youth accessibility leader (YAL). YALs play an important role in helping identify barriers across Canadian communities by partnering with local organizations to assist them in securing up to $12,000 in accessibility project funding. Together, YALs and their partner organizations will have up to 12 months to complete their project.
Under this 2024 EAF youth innovation CFP, youth across Canada are invited to submit their expressions of interest in being designated a YAL online by October 4, 2024, at 3 p.m. EDT. Organizations partnering with a confirmed YAL must submit their application for project funding by 3 p.m. EDT online on November 1, 2024.
During her visit to the Toronto Jewish Disability Network, the Minister also announced $1,417,155 in funding to support 168 accessible projects through the EAF youth 2023 CFP process.
The EAF program supports the Government’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which is focused on reducing poverty among persons with disabilities, helping persons with disabilities into good quality jobs, facilitating easier access to federal programs and services, and building accessible and inclusive communities while fostering a culture of inclusion.
Quotes
“Every day, young people are making transformative changes to make their communities more accessible. The youth innovation component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund is making sure they have the resources, skills, and opportunities to become ambitious and inspiring Youth Accessibility Leaders, leading the way in identifying barriers to accessibility and how best to address them.”
– Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera
Quick facts
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The 2022 Canada Survey on Disability found that 27% of Canadians aged 15 and over—or about 8 million persons—report as having at least one disability.
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The EAF is a federal grants and contributions program that supports construction, renovation and retrofitting projects across Canada that improve the accessibility, safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities in communities and the labour market. Over 7,600 projects have been funded under the EAF since its launch in 2007.
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Through targeted investments such as the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, the Government continues to deliver foundational support to persons with disabilities. Budget 2024 proposes key measures to support persons with disabilities including investments to: launch a new Canada Disability Benefit; expand the disability supports deduction; ensure access to essential drugs and medical devices; create a new Youth Mental Health Fund; and improve recruitment and assessment processes for persons with disabilities through the Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities
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National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) 2024, runs from May 26 to June 1, and is a nationwide week of recognition that celebrates the many social, economic, and cultural achievements of persons with disabilities. The theme for NAAW 2024 is: “Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All”.
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Contacts
For media enquiries, please contact:
Alisson Levesque
Director of Communications
Office of Canada’s Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
and Social Development Canada
alisson.levesque@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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