Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects
Last Update: August 1, 2025
ON, Canada
Funding to create more accessible, safe spaces
Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects 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
Grant Providers
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Government of Canada
Program status
Open
Overview of the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program
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.
Eligible projects & activities
- 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 criteria of the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program
- 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.
Eligibility criteria of the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program
- 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 to the Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects program
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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.
Contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
NC-HIP-PIP-EAF_ODI-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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