Today, Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie announces that two local organizations are receiving funding from the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).
The EAF is a federal grants and contributions program that supports construction projects across Canada that aim to improve the accessibility, safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities in public spaces and workplaces.
Glibota Dentistry receives over $81,000 toward constructing an exterior ramp and retrofitting two accessible doors. Therapeutic Ride Algoma will also receive almost $4,000 toward installing purchasing mobility mats for increased accessibility for persons with disabilities. Both investments represent a great examples of the Government of Canada’s on-going efforts to work with organizations to improve accessibility and advance disability inclusion across the country.
This funding is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of up to $14.7 million that will be allocated to organizations across Canada under the 2024 EAF small projects component call for proposals that ran from May 28 to July 26, 2024. Funding under the EAF supports the Government’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan and its goal of building a truly inclusive Canada, free of physical, societal, and attitudinal barriers.
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“Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, we are helping local organizations likes these by supporting small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that increase accessibility in community spaces or workplaces. One project at a time, we are creating a country where no one is left behind.”
-Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and FedNor
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this federal funding to install an accessibility ramp at our business. This investment not only helps us comply with accessibility standards, it also ensures that our doors are open to all customers. It is an important step toward fostering an inclusive environment, and we look forward to welcoming people with ease into our space.”
-Dr. Mary-Catherine Glibota, Glibota Dentistry
"We truly appreciate this opportunity to improve our program accessibility, this will make our space more inclusive for persons with disabilities. We look forward to continuing to provide our community with adaptive riding opportunities. On behalf of the Therapeutic Ride Algoma team, Thank You!"
-Lauren Mcilwrick, Therapeutic Ride Algoma
QUICK FACTS
- According to the 2022 Canada Survey on Disability, 27% of Canadians aged 15 and over—or about eight million people—report as having at least one disability. In fact, the rate of disability in Canada has increased by five percentage points since 2017.
- The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) program funds vital accessible infrastructure such as ramps, automatic doors and accessible washrooms. Many organizations rely on this support so they can offer programs, services and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.
- Over 7,700 projects have been funded under the EAF since its launch in 2007, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to programs, services, and employment opportunities in their communities.
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