Closed
Source verified August 10, 2026
Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF)
Improving accessibility for Ottawa tourism businesses
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 25,000
Deadline
April 30, 2024
Opened April 2, 2024
Location
Ottawa, Canada
Overview
The Tourism Accessibility Fund supports eligible visitor-facing members of Ottawa Tourism in Ottawa with one-time, non-repayable funding of up to $25,000 to improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities. It helps tourism businesses upgrade built environments and in-destination experiences through accessibility amenities, renovations, and technology.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ottawa
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Persons with Disabilities
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Small-scale projects to upgrade accessibility amenities
- Larger-scale accessibility improvements or retrofits
- Small construction, renovation or retrofit projects of an existing space
- Accessible equipment projects and Information and Communication Technologies projects
Documents Needed
- Proof of commercial general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000
- HST registration and incorporation documents
- Financial statements for the previous year, or all available financial statements for a new business
- A detailed budget and an external quote for each non-flat rate project activity, or a rationale if a quote cannot be provided
- A digital picture of the project space to be improved, and landlord permission if the property is rented, for small construction, renovation or retrofit projects of an existing space
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Visitor-facing members of Ottawa Tourism in good standing
- For-profit businesses
- Not-for-profit businesses
- Business Improvement Areas, including public-facing initiatives such as festivals
- Federally or provincially registered sole proprietorships
Who is not eligible
- Applicants unable to demonstrate a debt ratio of less than 1 or provide proof of financial viability through an external evaluation
- Political parties
- One-off events
- Charities and educational institutions
- Organizations whose activities fall under the jurisdiction of government divisions, departments, or agencies, and applicants based outside of the municipality of Ottawa
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees for technical expertise and certified construction contractors.
- Costs of construction or renovation of a building, including materials, supplies, and labour.
- Purchase or rental of tools, equipment, or machinery necessary to complete the project.
- Purchase of universally accessible or ergonomic accessories and furniture for visitor use.
- Costs related to information technology solutions specific to the needs of persons with disabilities, such as adapted and accessible computer software and hardware for visitor use.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects already in progress or completed at the time of submission
- Retrofit of motor vehicles for community or individual use
- Construction, renovation or retrofit activities that aim to decorate or improve esthetics of a building or its surroundings
- Construction, renovation, retrofit or any activities for personal use, and project activities in a private home or dwelling
- Contingency costs; routine repairs and maintenance costs; general costs; employee salaries and benefits; costs incurred before the signing of the agreement with Ottawa Tourism; non-accessibility furniture or equipment; visitor-ineligible motor vehicle work; training; research and development; commercialization, marketing and promotion; and landscaping or esthetic renovations
Eligible geographic areas
- Municipality of Ottawa
Selection criteria
- Clear demonstration that the applicant is an eligible business or organization and is in good standing with Ottawa Tourism.
- Submission of required documentation, including commercial liability insurance ($2 million coverage), HST registration, incorporation documents, and previous year’s financial statements.
- The requested funding amount is aligned with funding limits and project completion can be achieved before September 30, 2024.
- Detailed description of the project, including current business status and intended accessibility improvements.
- Demonstration of the project’s impact on the organization and Ottawa’s tourism sector, and alignment with the program’s objectives.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Program GuidelinesCarefully read the Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) Program Details to ensure your project and expenses meet the eligibility requirements.
- Consult the Frequently Asked Questions document as needed.
- Step 2: Prepare Application DocumentsGather necessary business documents, such as HST registration, incorporation documents, and financial statements from the previous year.
- Prepare proof of commercial general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000.
- Obtain external quotes for non-flat rate project activities, or prepare a rationale if quotes are not available.
- Take and prepare digital photographs of the project space if your project involves construction, renovation, or retrofit (not required for equipment or ICT projects).
- Collect landlord permission if the property is rented.
- Prepare a detailed budget and evidence supporting project costs.
- Step 3: Complete Online ApplicationAccess the application portal on the Ottawa Tourism website when the intake period is open.
- Complete all sections of the application, including detailed project descriptions and responses to evaluation questions.
- Upload all required documents and attachments.
- Step 4: Submit ApplicationSubmit the completed application form and supporting documents through the online portal before the deadline.
- Step 5: Await Evaluation and DecisionYour application will be assessed by an Internal Evaluation Committee based on provided criteria.
- All applicants will be notified of the funding decision.
- Step 6: Sign Funding AgreementIf approved, sign a formal Funding Agreement with Ottawa Tourism, which outlines payment terms and obligations.
- Step 7: Project Implementation and ReportingCarry out the funded project according to the approved plan and timeline.
- Submit required status reports and, upon project completion, a Final Activity Report detailing how funds were used and project outcomes.
- Provide documentation such as itemized claim summaries, invoices, receipts, photographs, and proof of payment as required for audits and final disbursement.
Processing and Agreement
- Successful applicants must enter into a formal Funding Agreement with Ottawa Tourism
- The Funding Agreement defines the terms of payment and the obligations of the parties
- Successful funding recipients must submit a Final Activity Report detailing how awarded funding was used
- Failure to provide a Final Activity Report can result in non-payment of the final installment of funding and automatic ineligibility for subsequent Ottawa Tourism funding
- Successful applicants must submit an itemized claim summary certified by a director or officer, and Ottawa Tourism may audit the information provided; Status Reports may also be required
Additional information
- All application information will be kept secure and confidential.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) Program
What is the Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF)?
The Tourism Accessibility Fund supports eligible visitor-facing members of Ottawa Tourism in Ottawa with one-time, non-repayable funding of up to $25,000 to improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities. It helps tourism businesses upgrade built environments and in-destination experiences through accessibility amenities, renovations, and technology.
How much funding can be received?
Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was April 30, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) program?
To be eligible for the Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) program, you must:
Visitor-facing members of Ottawa Tourism in good standing
For-profit businesses, not-for-profit businesses, Business Improvement Areas, and federally or provincially registered sole proprietorships
Applicants must demonstrate financial and administrative stability
What expenses are eligible under Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF)?
Small-scale projects to upgrade accessibility amenities
Larger-scale accessibility improvements or retrofits
Small construction, renovation or retrofit projects of an existing space
Accessible equipment projects and Information and Communication Technologies projects
Who can I contact for more information about the Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF)?
You can contact Ottawa Tourism (OT) by email at funding@ottawatourism.ca or by phone at 1-833-864-7839.
Where is the Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) available?
The Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF) program is available across Canada.