Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects

Q: How much funding can be received?

Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $125000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2024-07-23T15:00:00Z.

Q: Is the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects?

Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program?

To be eligible for the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program, you must: • For-profit organization with a maximum of 99 employees • Project must improve accessibility or safety for persons with disabilities • Eligible to submit only one application per business number

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects?

You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at NC-HIP-PIP-EAF_ODI-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.

Q: Where is the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects available?

The Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program is available the province of ON.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program.

Last Update: August 1, 2025

ON, Canada

Funding to create more accessible, safe spaces

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $125,000
Up to 25% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : May 28, 2024
Closing date : July 23, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Construction
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Information and cultural industries
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Get funding to cover eligible costs for small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that will help people with disabilities live and work in more inclusive and accessible communities.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum funding of up to $125,000 per project, for a duration of up to 2 years.
For most applicants, a minimum financial leveraging of 25% of the requested funding is required, provided in cash.
For organizations in territories, Indigenous organizations, those in rural/remote areas, shelters for the homeless or victims of violence, food banks, emergency meal services, and charitable clothing organizations, no financial leveraging is required (0%).
Contingency funds (about 20% of the project cost) are recommended for planning purposes but are not eligible for reimbursement.

Activities funded

Carrying out renovation, construction or redesign work aimed at improving accessibility and safety in a workplace or community space intended for people with disabilities.
Acquisition and installation of accessible equipment or devices that facilitate access to services, community programs, or employment for people with disabilities.
Implementation of information and communication technologies to provide improved access to services or programs accessible to multiple people with disabilities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 30,000

Modify websites of local businesses for accessibility

$ 90,000

Upgrade playground to make it fully accessible at River Park

$ 37,500

Installing FM loop system and audiovisual fire alarms in community hall

$ 52,500

Build a multi-sensory room at the Aurora Rehabilitation Center

$ 60,000

Install accessible washrooms and ramps in community center

Eligibility

The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization, for-profit organization with a maximum of 99 employees, Indigenous organization, municipal or territorial government, provider of transitional or emergency shelter/housing, or an early learning and child care (ELCC) centre (including Indigenous and certain ELCC centres on public school property where activities are reserved exclusively for the centre).
The project must focus on improving accessibility and/or safety for persons with disabilities in workplaces or community spaces through construction, renovation, retrofitting, acquisition of accessible equipment, or information and communication technologies that benefit multiple users.
The project must be ready to begin by fall 2024 and be completed within two years.
The organization must submit a complete application with all required supporting documentation before the deadline.

Who is eligible?

Not-for-profit organizations
For-profit organizations with a maximum of 99 employees
Indigenous organizations
Municipal governments
Territorial governments

Who is not eligible

Federal or provincial government entities
Public elementary and secondary schools, except for licensed/registered child care centres located on school property where the project activity is exclusively for the centre
Public health care institutions and public hospitals
Home-based child care centres
Crown corporations and entities owned by or located on federal or provincial government land
Long-term care facilities not specifically serving persons with disabilities
Residential housing organizations such as condominium and co-op boards, except for transitional housing or accessible common spaces for persons with disabilities

Eligible expenses

Renovation, construction, and rearrangement work aimed at accessibility and safety.
Purchase of accessible equipment or devices for persons with disabilities.
Provision of information and communication technologies (ICT) and accessible systems, on the condition that they benefit multiple users and not just one person.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations located anywhere in Canada, including all provinces and territories.
Special considerations for organizations in rural and remote regions, and Indigenous communities.

Selection criteria

Clarity and relevance of the project description, including identification of existing barriers to accessibility and safety for persons with disabilities in the workplace or community.
Explanation of community support for the project.
Assessment of how the project will improve accessibility and safety for persons with disabilities and facilitate their participation in the workplace or community.
Accuracy and justification of project costs, including reasonableness and sufficient detail, especially for non-fixed cost activities.
Demonstrated capacity of the organization to successfully manage and deliver the proposed project.

How to apply

Verify eligibility and priorities

Review eligibility criteria for applicants and projects
Ensure your organization and project activities align with program requirements
Check funding priorities such as target groups and community needs

Read application instructions

Review all application guidelines and requirements
Read instructions for the Enabling Accessibility Fund (Small Projects)
Identify mandatory documents and project information needed

Attend information session (optional)

Attend an information session if desired by emailing NC-HIP-PIP-EAF_ODI-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Select a session date and preferred language (English/French)
Request accommodations at least 10 business days before the session if needed

Prepare supporting documents

Gather a recent (within 2 years) Canada Revenue Agency business number document
Obtain one external quote for each non-fixed rate project activity
Complete the EAF Small Projects calculator PDF summary
Take digital photos/screenshots of site, equipment, or web improvements

Complete application form

Describe project purpose and current accessibility or safety barriers
Explain community support and impact
Detail project scope, benefits for persons with disabilities, and budget
Demonstrate your organization’s capacity to manage the project

Validate application completeness

Review the application and all supporting materials for completeness
Verify that all required documents are attached
Ensure no fields are left blank

Submit application

Submit the completed application and all supporting documents via the online portal before July 23, 2024, 3:00 pm EDT
Retain a copy of the submitted materials for your records

Wait for funding decision

Wait for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to review your application
Monitor your email for updates regarding your application status

Additional information

Applicants should submit only one application per unique CRA business number; if multiple applications are submitted, only the first will be considered.
Virtual information sessions are available in both English and French during June and July 2024 for organizations interested in applying.
If accommodations are needed to participate in an information session, requests must be sent at least 10 business days in advance.
The application process operates on a first-come, first-served basis for funding decisions.

Documents and links

Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects

Contacts

NC-HIP-PIP-EAF_ODI-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.