How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 12000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-10-06T15:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component?

Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Canada

What are Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component's eligibility criterias?

The company must have 99 employees or fewer (SME). The project must be carried out in partnership with an eligible young accessibility leader. The project must aim to eliminate barriers to accessibility in a workplace or community location.

Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Empowering youth to improve accessibility for people with disabilities

Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $12,000

Timeline

Open Date : May 30, 2025
Closing date : October 6, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Educational services
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

Status

Open

Overview of the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component program

The Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component provides up to $12,000 in government funding for youth-led projects that address accessibility barriers in community spaces or workplaces. Eligible activities include installing automatic door openers, accessible equipment, communication supports, and other initiatives that improve access for persons with disabilities.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding of up to $12,000 per accessibility project.
Projects are eligible for funding if their duration is up to 12 months.

Eligible projects & activities

Identifying and addressing accessibility barriers in community spaces or workplaces.
Developing and supporting projects that improve physical or digital accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Collaborating with organizations to create and submit proposals for accessibility enhancement initiatives.
Implementing awareness campaigns and community engagement activities focused on accessibility needs.
Assisting organizations in applying for funding to undertake accessibility improvement projects.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 9,700

Building accessible raised garden beds in a public park

$ 11,900

Creating accessible website features for a local employment agency

$ 11,950

Installing automatic door openers at a community arts centre

$ 11,200

Acquiring tandem bikes for blind and low-vision recreation program

$ 11,500

Adding visual-audio emergency alarms in a small fitness studio

$ 11,700

Equipping a library with an FM hearing loop system

Eligibility criteria of the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component program

The applicant organization must be one of the following: a not-for-profit organization, a small business with 99 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, an Indigenous organization, a municipality, or a territorial government.
The project proposal must clearly address existing accessibility or safety barriers for persons with disabilities in a community space or workplace.
The project must demonstrate how it increases opportunities for participation or contribution by persons with disabilities in the community or workplace.
The organization must collaborate with an eligible Youth Accessibility Leader designated through the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component.

Who is eligible?

Not-for-profit organizations, including community, charitable, and voluntary organizations
Public education institutions, such as school boards, public universities, and colleges
Small businesses with 99 full-time equivalent employees or less
Private education institutions operating for profit
Indigenous organizations
Municipalities
Territorial governments

Who is not eligible

Federal and provincial government bodies.
Public health care facilities and public hospitals, including projects located on their property.

Eligible expenses

Installation of automatic door openers
Purchase of equipment such as tandem bikes for persons with visual disabilities, para-hockey sledges, all-terrain beach wheelchairs, pool wheelchairs, and noise-cancelling headphones
Construction of accessible features, including garden beds and accessible pathways
Implementation of accessibility technologies such as FM hearing loop systems, audio-visual fire alarm systems, and braille keyboards
Acquisition and installation of assistive technology software, including speech recognition software
Purchase of accessibility materials such as Mobi-mats for increased access in outdoor spaces
Costs for modifying websites to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations located in Canada, including all provinces and territories (Atlantic Region, Quebec Region, Ontario Region, Western Canada and Territories Region).

Eligibility criteria of the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component program

Clarity in identifying barriers to accessibility and/or safety for persons with disabilities in a community space or workplace.
Effectiveness of the project in addressing the accessibility and safety needs of persons with disabilities.
Potential of the project to increase opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in and contribute to community and/or workplace environments.
Description of the programs, services, or employment opportunities that persons with disabilities will access as a result of the project.

How to apply to the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component program

Verify eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria for the Youth Accessibility Leader position
Confirm you meet age, citizenship, and employment status requirements

Apply to be a Youth Accessibility Leader

Complete the online application form to become a Youth Accessibility Leader
Submit your form to receive eligibility results by email

Receive and review the tool kit

Receive an email with a tool kit containing program details and eligibility information
Review both the youth and applicant guides

Identify barriers and connect with organizations

Identify accessibility barriers in your community or workplace
Engage eligible organizations facing barriers and encourage them to apply for funding

Support proposal preparation

Help interested organizations request up to $12,000 for accessibility projects
Assist organizations in preparing the project proposal using the provided guidelines

Submit the funding application

Organizations submit their completed application through the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) system
Ensure submission by November 3, 2025, at 3:00 pm EST

Additional information

Information sessions for both youth and organizations will be held virtually on specific dates in English and French.
Requests for accommodation during information sessions, such as sign language interpreters or CART, must be made at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Youth may participate individually or as part of a team, with the support of friends and family.
Applicants are encouraged to watch instructional videos that provide an overview of the application process before attending an information session.