What this program offers

On this page

• Program objectives
• Funding priorities
• Glossary

Program objectives

Successful projects under this Call for proposals (CFP) will receive funding for new construction, renovation and/or retrofit activities, that will improve accessibility and safety for persons with disabilities in:

• a facility where persons with disabilities work or could work in the future (Workplace Accessibility Stream)

or

• a community space where programs or services are, or will be available for persons with disabilities (Community Accessibility Stream)

Funding priorities

The Department will prioritize funding to projects based on the following:

• $5 million allocated for projects that increase accessibility and safety in facilities that deliver at least one of the following fundamental services to address poverty:
  • Housing security: shelters for persons experiencing homelessness and/or violence
  • Food security: food banks and emergency meal services
  • Clothing security: charities that offer second hand clothing (e.g., thrift shops, the snowsuit fund)
• $2 million allocated for Indigenous community projects that will improve accessibility and safety for Indigenous persons with disabilities.
• of note, priority may also be given to applications based on geographic distribution, community needs and other emerging priorities that support the objective of the EAF.
• organizations that received funding from the 2022 small projects CFP will only be considered after those that did not receive funding through the 2022 small projects CFP.

Glossary

Here is a list of key terms used within this application guide.

Accessible facilities

For the purpose of this funding process, an accessible facility is defined as:

• all or any portion of a building, structure, workplace, passageway or park that offers barrier-free access for persons with disabilities
• more precisely, facilities where persons with disabilities can reach, enter, access and fully participate in programs and services

Accessibility project activity

A project element that addresses a barrier to accessibility and directly contributes to increasing the degree to which an environment can be considered an “accessible facility”.

Activities – Flat rate

These activities include ramps, accessible washrooms, accessible doors, elevators, accessible lifts, pool lifts, accessible playgrounds, multi-sensory rooms and stations, accessible parking, accessible drop-off areas, and accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

Activities – Non-flat rate

Other types of accessibility activities not included under flat rate could include, but are not limited to, accessible kitchens, accessibility equipment, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects.

Some ICT project ideas include:

• modifying a website to make it accessible for persons with disabilities
• installing an FM loop system
• installing accessible safety alarm systems (refer to the guidance on the EAF webpage)
• purchasing screen readers
• installing voice recognition software and speech synthesizers

Barrier

A physical, architectural, or technological obstacle. It makes it difficult for persons with disabilities to access or circulate in community spaces and workplaces. It prevents persons with disabilities from accessing or using public spaces on an equal basis with others.

Barrier free path of travel

A barrier-free path of travel allows people with all types of disabilities to circulate into, throughout, and out of the facility without accessibility obstacles. Persons with disabilities should be able access programs, services and basic necessities such as washrooms, without any accessibility obstacles.

Best practices could include, but are not limited to,

• installing directional tactile indicators (e.g., colour-contrasting floor or ground material with raised linear bars) along a barrier-free path of travel to help persons with visual impairments find key building components such as information desks, elevators, stairs, and rooms
• using colour-contrasting floor materials to differentiate seating or waiting areas from the main barrier-free path of travel.
• incorporating unobstructed floor areas to permit wheelchair users to pass one another and/or provide a resting opportunity outside the required barrier-free path of travel
• using tactile attention indicators colour-contrasting floor/ground material with raised truncated domes-to be installed to identify changes in elevation, tops of stair landings, and places where vehicular pathways are at the same level as a barrier-free path of travel

For example, can people with different disabilities get from the parking area to the facility, enter the facility and circulate from the entrance to the programming area? Can they access basic necessities, such as washrooms, without any accessibility obstacles? This includes but is not limited to infrastructure accessibility elements (for example, ramps, accessible doors and finishes), wayfinding and safety and security elements.

Additional information can be found here Canadian Standard Association's Accessible Design for the Built Environment

Certified contractor

A certified contractor has obtained a license allowing them to work anywhere within the province in which they are licensed in. They have typically passed a provincial exam. They maintain certain levels of insurance and have shown they are financially responsible.

Contingency

The EAF small projects calculator will calculate eligible costs for flat rate activities for your project. Unexpected situations and costs are common with construction projects. The Department recommends that you consult a certified contractor to scope your project. This can help reduce unexpected costs. The Department also recommends that you have a contingency budget of around 20% of your total project to offset unexpected costs for all flat and non-flat rate activities. The calculator does not take into account contingency costs, nor are contingency costs an eligible expense.

Disability

Refers to any impairment including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or a functional limitation—whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.

Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) centre

A child care centre that provides regular full-time or part-time child care services and supervision to children. Child care centres may be run by private operators, local councils, municipalities, community organizations, employers or non-profit organisations but would not be operated inside someone’s private residence. For the purpose of this Call for Proposals, child care centres must be licensed and/or regulated to be eligible to apply for funding.

ESDC recognizes that not all Indigenous ELCC centres (including those on reserves, operating in Inuit communities, or operated by Self-Governing First Nations or Modern Treaty Holders) are issued a registration or licensing number. These organizations are still eligible to apply under this call. In question 9 of the application for funding form, please include a statement if this is the case.

First come, first served

Applications will be processed in the order in which they arrive.

Indigenous organization

Organizations that:

• have mandates that support First Nations, Inuit, Métis or non-affiliated Indigenous persons, and
• are governed by people who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis or non-affiliated Indigenous persons.

Leveraging

An organization that is not exempt must have 25% or more of the total costs of their project available before the project begins. Leveraged funding can come from your own organization or it can be provided through a partnership organization that agrees to give you money towards the project.

Municipalities

This is the level of government that is based in a city, town or district (a municipality). Municipal governments are responsible for areas such as parks, community water systems, local police, roadways and parking.

Private dwelling/residence

This refers to a separate set of living quarters with a private entrance either from outside the building or from a common hall, lobby, vestibule or stairway inside the building. The intention or purpose of the private dwelling/residence is solely for non-business/commercial type activities or in other words private living. This would also include the exterior property of a private residence/house. For this call for proposals, housing used as transitional, temporary or emergency shelter spaces could be considered eligible depending on the project activities and outcomes.

Remote area

A remote area is defined by a project activities location that cannot be reached year round by road or regular ferry. Locations with only air access or during the winter seasons only winter road or winter barge access are considered remote. For example, remote communities in the Northwest Territories using ice roads during the winter would meet this definition. This can be identified by using the EAF Region tool .

Renovation

To create a new space to enhance accessibility, without adding additional square feet. For example, making an accessible washroom in what was previously a storage room.

Retrofit (upgrading an existing space)

Install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously constructed. For example, to make upgrades to your existing washroom to include accessible features.

Shelters

Organizations whose primary activities are providing temporary but immediate shelter and/or services for individuals/families fleeing domestic abuse, the threat of violence or people at risk of being homeless (such as, but not limited to women’s shelters, transition homes, homeless shelters and other facilities offering shelter services to those experiencing violence and gender-based violence or people at risk of being homeless).