How much funding can be received?

Get up to $2,500 in direct financial support towards creating an inclusive work environment for persons with a disability(ies). Use the money for a variety of projects from upgrading technology to revising policies to training, and more.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is available to small businesses that are registered and licensed in British Columbia, Canada. Eligible businesses must operate within this geographical scope to take advantage of the funding opportunities offered by the Workplace Accessibility Grant.

Businesses operating in British Columbia, Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$2,250

Purchase software for creating accessible documents

$1,800

Conduct anti-bias training sessions for staff

$2,500

Revising policies to enhance accessibility

$2,500

Install accessible ramps and lighting for office building

$2,200

Create Braille versions of company documents

$2,450

Adaptation of work vehicles for accessibility

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific business requirements related to registration, size, and operational details.

The business must be a small business with less than 50 employees, including the business owner.
The business must be registered and licensed in British Columbia at the time of submission.
The business must provide general information including the name of the business, owner, contact information, and banking information for grant funds transfer.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is open to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, including the owner. Applicants must be registered and licensed in British Columbia. Projects must enhance workplace accessibility and address barriers for people with disabilities, covering areas like environment, attitudes, practices, policies, information and communication, and technologies.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The Workplace Accessibility Grant in British Columbia assists small businesses in funding projects that enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities. Eligible projects aim to identify and address various workplace barriers.

Environmental modifications such as installing ramps, adjusting lighting levels, and building accessible washrooms.
Adapting vehicles to accommodate employees with disabilities.
Providing anti-bias training to address and change attitudes within the workplace.
Amending interview processes to be more inclusive and providing ASL interpreting for new staff orientation.
Conducting accessibility audits of workflow and systems in the business.
Revising policies with legal and consulting advice to promote inclusivity.
Improving information and communication by creating job task checklists in pictorial form or ASL and making application forms accessible to screen readers.
Printing materials in large font or Braille and updating web pages for accessibility.
Purchasing software and technologies that enable accessible document production or facilitate communication for disabled employees.
Installing flashing fire alarms for deaf employees and providing specialized headsets or communication tools.
Purchasing tablets or laptops for remote work or specialized tools necessary for business operations.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers a variety of expenses related to improving workplace accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Environment: Installation of ramps, modification of lighting levels, creation of accessible washrooms, and adaptations to vehicles.
Attitudes: Implementation of anti-bias training programs.
Practices: Conducting training to amend interview processes, providing ASL interpreting for staff orientation, and performing accessibility audits of workflow.
Policies: Legal and consulting fees when revising company policies for improved accessibility.
Information and Communication: Conversion of job task checklists to pictorial forms, ASL versions of policies, accessible application forms, and reprinting documents in large font or Braille.
Technologies: Purchase of software for accessible document production, installation of flashing fire alarms for deaf employees, and acquisition of specialized headsets, tablets, laptops for remote working, or specialized tools.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are no specified evaluation point scores for project selection criteria within the provided grant context.

Clear description of how the project improves accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Explanation of barriers addressed and removed through the project.
Provision of detailed project description and expected impact on creating an accessible workplace.
Submission of related expenses, proof of purchase, and method of payment.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Read the eligibility criteria on the program's website to ensure your business meets all requirements.
- Understand the qualifying accessible services covered by the grant.
Step 2: Prepare Required Information
- Gather your business and project information, including contact details, BC Business Registration Number, and a copy of your business license.
- Prepare a detailed project description illustrating how the project will improve workplace accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Step 3: Submit Grant Application Form
- Navigate to the grant application form on the funding body’s website.
- Complete the application form with accurate and detailed information.
- Submit the form for review.
Step 4: Complete Purchases and Submit Receipts
- Purchase the approved products/services for your project.
- Upload and submit receipts meeting all requirements (including date, items, seller information, and proof of payment method).
Step 5: Register with SparcPay
- Create a payee account in SparcPay for EFT payment processing.
- Upload a void cheque or bank form matching the business information submitted in the application.
Step 6: Receive Funds
- Once approved, receive notification and funds through the SparcPay EFT system.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

A waitlist is available due to high demand, although it does not guarantee funding.
Cash payments and handwritten receipts will not be accepted as proof of purchase.
Personal bank accounts are not accepted for grant reimbursement; a business bank account is mandatory.
Payments are processed through SparcPay, requiring account registration by the applicant.
Funds will not be reimbursed for any purchases made before April 1, 2021.
Third-party applications on behalf of businesses are not accepted to protect applicant privacy.
Verification of BC Business Registration Number is necessary for application approval.
Businesses may reapply for the grant if the current application is closed, up to the maximum amount.
The $5,000 grant amount includes applicable taxes like GST and PST.

grant_single_labels|contact

604-775-5525

Apply to this program

Empowering Accessibility for BC Small Businesses Through Grants

The Workplace Accessibility Grant offers financial incentives to small businesses in British Columbia, assisting them in creating accessible environments for people with disabilities. By addressing various barriers, the grant aims to foster inclusivity and efficiency in workplace settings.

Detailed Overview of the Workplace Accessibility Grant Program

The Workplace Accessibility Grant is a vital initiative geared towards enhancing accessibility within small business workplaces across British Columbia. Extending financial aid up to $5,000 per eligible application, the grant assists businesses in executing projects that facilitate a workplace accommodating individuals with disabilities. Administered from June 21, 2021, through March 31, 2024, depending on fund availability, the program prioritizes reimbursements for projects on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eligible businesses must be registered and licensed in BC, with an employee count under 50, including the owner. Projects need to clearly demonstrate enhancements to workplace accessibility, identifying and overcoming barriers in environments, attitudes, practices, information and communication, policies, or technologies. Such barriers range from physical adaptations like ramps or accessible washrooms to less tangible efforts like anti-bias training or revising workplace policies for inclusivity.Further, businesses must submit a detailed project description highlighting how their initiative improves accessibility and the specific barriers being addressed. The grant encompasses expenses incurred for approved products and services that eliminate these barriers, upon which reimbursement is processed via electronic funds transfer once receipts and proof of payments are verified.The application process is meticulously structured. It demands a thorough review of eligibility criteria followed by a submission that entails complete contact, business, project information, and pertinent documentation such as business license or registration number. Post-submission, the validation process scrutinizes the definitive nature and accuracy of provided information. Upon approval, businesses can proceed with their purchases, ensuring that all receipts reflect authorized expenses post-April 1, 2021. Accepted payment methods exclude cash, necessitating trackable options like EFTs or credit cards with verifiable details. A vital step involves registering in SparcPay’s payment system for grant disbursement, which mandates the submission of a void cheque or equivalent banking document matching the application particulars.In light of the substantial response to the program, processing of new applications is temporarily paused to maintain service standards. A waitlist mechanism is established for those desiring consideration after current applications are serviced. Strategically, the initiative not only aims to boost operational capacities for businesses by remediating accessibility bottlenecks but also envisages an inclusive workplace culture. For further insights or assistance, Small Business BC serves as the resource hub, guiding applicants through the details and ensuring all procedural aspects align with the grant's goals of expanding accessibility and inclusivity within BC workplaces.