Youth leaders from across Canada help build more inclusive and accessible communities and workplaces

OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2020 /CNW/ - During these trying times it is increasingly important that youth remain engaged in their communities, as changes to routine and isolation can have a negative impact on their mental and physical well-being. Canada's youth have an important role in creating meaningful change in their communities, and can gain valuable experience through community engagement.

Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, launched a call for expressions of interest under the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) youth innovation component, a Government of Canada grants and contributions program. This EAF component engages and challenges youth to volunteer and collaborate with local community-based organizations, and apply for funding of up to $10,000 for accessibility projects.

This initiative supports youth between 15 and 30 years of age to promote awareness of accessibility needs in their communities, gain valuable experience, including how to apply for government funding, further develop their presentation skills and build their sense of social responsibility through a volunteer experience that positively impacts the lives of persons with disabilities in their communities. Youth must submit their expressions of interest by October 30, 2020.

In 2019, there were 119 youth-led projects funded across Canada through a call for expressions of interest, representing a total investment of $1 million. These youth-driven projects helped increase accessibility for persons with disabilities in their communities and workplaces. Some of the projects funded include an accessible chairlift for a community pool, purchasing a digital platform that helps train persons with disabilities, an accessible park structure, adaptive software, accessible washrooms and automatic doors.

Across Canada, we are changing the way we interact with those around us to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Youth, and all Canadians, should continue to consult their local or regional public health authorities for the latest guidelines to protect them during the process. 

By making workplaces and community spaces more accessible, the Government of Canada is breaking down barriers to inclusion and access. All Canadians deserve the same opportunities for success.

Quote

"This program is an example of the fantastic youth accessibility leaders from across Canada that are working towards improving inclusion and access in our society. Our government is committed to providing youth with hands-on experience in communities, relationship building with partners and with the federal grants and contributions system. We know that keeping youth engaged at this time is critical. Our youth are creative, adaptive, comfortable with technology and resourceful—and those are exactly the skills that we need to leverage now, more than ever."
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

Quick Facts

• May 31 to June 6, 2020, is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) in Canada, a time when accessibility and inclusion are promoted across communities and workplaces. It is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and recognize all efforts related to removing barriers and ensuring persons with disabilities participate fully in all aspects of Canadian society.
• Since the creation of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) in 2007, the Government of Canada has funded over 4,200 projects, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to their communities' programs, services and employment opportunities.
• The EAF has an annual base budget of $15 million ($13.65 million in grants and contributions [Gs&Cs]). Through Budget 2017, the program received an additional $70 million over 10 years in Gs&Cs to expand the activities of the EAF by supporting more small and mid-sized projects and creating a new youth innovation component. This increased the annual Gs&Cs budget to $20.65 million until 2027–28.
• The 2017 EAF youth innovation pilot was the first phase of the new youth innovation component. As a result of the pilot, youth identified as "youth accessibility leaders" volunteered to create greater awareness about the EAF program across Canadian communities, which led to an increase in accessibility and safety in community facilities for persons with disabilities.
• The Government of Canada added the youth innovation component as part of the EAF program in 2018. 

Associated link

Enabling Accessibility Fund youth innovation component

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List of EAF youth innovation projects funded in 2019–20:

Alberta
Jubilations Dinner Theatre / Aussie Rules
City of Red Deer
John Costello Ed Society
Variety – The Children's Charity of Alberta Association
Optimist Club of Blackfalds
Ramsay Community Association
Islamic Family & Social Services Association (IFSSA)
Rocky Native Friendship Centre Society

British Columbia
The Salvation Army Chilliwack Community Church
Power for All Adventure Therapy Society
Penticton and District Multicultural Society
The Board of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) Frank J. Ney Elementary School
Family Resource Centre for the North Okanagan (Family Resource Centre)
British Columbia Centre for Ability Foundation (BC Centre for Ability [BCCFA])
Northern Adapted Sports Association
Independent Living Vernon Society
People Place Society
E.I.S. – The Ecoforestry Institute Society (Ecoforestry Institute Society)
Vancouver Adapted Music Society
Chalo Independent School Society (Chalo School)

Manitoba
Prairie Rose School Division (St. François Xavier Community School Parent Advisory Committee)

New Brunswick
Saint John Community Loan Fund
Eastern Charlotte Association for Community Living Inc. (Community Living Centre)
The Greater Moncton YMCA (YMCA of Greater Moncton)
Ville de Saint-Léonard (Saint-Léonard)
Fredericton Boys and Girls Club Inc. (Boys & Girls Club of Fredericton)

Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland & Labrador Association of the Deaf Inc.
The Killick Inn & Suites
Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc.
Town of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove
Eastern Gate Church Inc.
Able Sail Newfoundland and Labrador (Able Sail NL)
City of Mount Pearl
Jath Enterprises Inc. (Massage Addict)
Memorial University of Newfoundland (Botanical Garden)
Friends of MUN Botanical Garden Inc. (Friends of the Garden)
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador Inc.
Marystown Kinsmen Manor for Seniors Inc.
Northwest Rotary Community Housing Incorporated (Northwest Rotary Community Housing Inc.)
Rocket Bakery & Fresh Food
MacMorran Community Centre 
The NL Beard and Moustache Club Inc.
Landwash Brewery Inc.
Natures Edge Inc. (Edge of Avalon Inc.)
The Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club
Bannerman Brewing Corporation (Bannerman Brewing Co.)
Ricketts Holdings Inc. (Round Da Bay Inn)
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador
Power Productions Inc.

Nova Scotia
YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia Association (Lunenburg County YMCA – King Street Youth Centre)
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (The CNIB Foundation)

Ontario
A Rocha Canada
Union Jack Fish & Chips Ltd.
Bridgefront Tower Corp.
2512923 Ontario Inc. (Play Away Indoor Park)
2607036 Ontario Inc. (The Disability Channel)
Collège dominicain de philosophie et de théologie (Collège universitaire dominicain)
She Thrives Inc. (We Thrive)
Ryerson Students' Union
Deanna Groves, John Riedl, The Garden Place (The Garden Place)
Meyers Creek Brewing Company Inc.
Valerie Leitch
Great Canadian Theatre Corp.
Elixir Beauty
2474242 Ontario Inc. (The Vic Cafe)
River Institute
Connections Early Years Family Centre
Four Corners Contracting
Gibraltar Leadership Academy
2568799 Ontario Inc. (Four Seasons Algonquin Cabin)
The Municipality of Clarington Public Library Board
Trenval Business Development Corporation
The Tropicana Community Services Organization of Scarborough
2434553 Ontario Ltd. (Chris Coin Laundry and Cleaners)
In2One Community Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada
Michael Kalimin, Andrea Ruzzo (Camp Bongopix)
John Howard Society of Niagara
Community Care for South Hastings Inc.
The Brantford Public Library (City of Brantford Public Library)
The Village Theatre (Belleville) Limited (The Empire Theatre)
Bay View Mall
City of Hamilton
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Tweed (St. Andrew's Tweed)
Diefenbunker Canada's Cold War Museum / Musée Canadien de la Guerre Froide
Collège dominicain de philosophie et de théologie (Collège universitaire dominicain)
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre (CHEO)
Walkabout Farm Therapeutic Riding Association Inc.
Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (Camp Smitty Location)
The Bob Rumball Camp of the Deaf
The Corporation of the Town of Ajax (Town of Ajax)
United Way of Perth-Huron
The Corporation of the Township of South Stormont (Township of South Stormont)
York Region Food Network
Mitchell Lions Club Community Service Fund
Community Living St. Marys and Area
Jordan Historical Museum (Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre)
United Way of Chatham-Kent
Magnificent Creations Limitee
South Simcoe Community Information Centre (Contact Community Services)
Corporation of the City of Kitchener (City of Kitchener)
The Guelph Curling Club Ltd.
The Corporation of the Township of Madawaska Valley (Township of Madawaska Valley)
Bay of Quinte Yacht Club of Belleville Inc. (Bay of Quinte Yacht Club [BQYC])
Les Dominicains ou Frères Prêcheurs d'Ottawa (Les Dominicains d'Ottawa ou Frères Prêcheurs)
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington

Prince Edward Island
University of Prince Edward Island

Quebec
Oeuvre Vie Nouvelle (Juvénat de Desbiens)
Comptoir Recyc-Dons
Municipalité de Saint-Apollinaire
Union française
Club de Gymnastique Gymibik

Saskatchewan
Prairie's Edge Development Corporation
Prairie Sky Trails Association
Prairie Skies Resort and Marina
Water's Edge Marina Ltd.
Saskatoon Public School Division (Aden Bowman Collegiate)
Town of Rosthern
Rural Municipality of Three Lakes No. 400 (RM of Three Lakes No. 400)
Rapid View Recreation Association Inc.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada