Canada’s second annual National AccessAbility Week provides a great opportunity to appreciate all the efforts being made to remove accessibility barriers so that people with disabilities can fully participate and contribute in their communities and workplaces.
In celebration of National AccessAbility Week, today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, met with young Canadians to exchange ideas on ways accessibility can be improved in local communities. The Minister took the opportunity to launch a call for expressions of interest for youth leaders across Canada, who will work with eligible organizations to submit project proposals under the Enabling Accessibility Fund’s (EAF) Youth Innovation Component.
“Getting our youth involved in creating a place where everyone has equal opportunities, no matter their abilities, is a priority for me, our Government and all Canadians. That’s why, as part of National AccessAbility Week, I invite youth leaders interested in making a positive impact in their communities, to apply to the Youth Innovation Component under the Enabling Accessibility Fund to help break down barriers for all.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
This call for expressions of interest gives youth volunteers a chance to make a difference in their communities and help to raise awareness of the EAF program.
Youth interested in participating are required to identify accessibility barriers in public places or workplaces within their immediate and/or surrounding communities, and seek out interested organizations willing to work with them to develop an EAF accessibility project funding proposal.
“Our Government is dedicated to building a more accessible Canada for all Canadians. Youth leaders play an important role in helping us achieve this commitment. I encourage all youth to participate in the Enabling Accessibility Fund and help make a difference for people with disabilities in your community.”
– Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities
The call for expressions of interest will support approximately 125 youth-driven projects aimed at increasing accessibility in community facilities and workplaces across Canada. Not-for-profit organizations, for profit organizations (with up to 99 full-time equivalent employees), small municipalities (with a population under 125,000), Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities) and territorial governments are eligible to apply for project funding of up to $10,000.
Interested youth between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age can apply online.
The call for expressions of interest for youth leaders will close on September 21, 2018.
