Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliment, Kamploops-Thompson-Cariboo
The Office of Cathy McLeod – MP Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo
As a result of the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, Rainbow’s Roost in Westsyde will increase accessibility for people with disabilities and enable them to participate more fully in their community.
Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development,.
“Our Government recognizes the abilities of all Canadians and is committed to removing barriers to participation for people with disabilities,” said McLeod. “We are proud to work with Rainbow’s Roost which is helping Canadians gain greater access to facilities, programs and services in their communities.”
Rainbow’s Roost is receiving $50,000 to improve the road and parking areas of its assembly hall. Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Government has supported over 800 projects across the country, including 188 new projects totalling $6.2 million that were recently announced.
The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. In 2010, the Fund was extended with an additional three-year, $45-million commitment and the creation of a new mid-sized component. Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 800 projects have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in Canadian communities.
The following types of organizations were eligible to apply for funding:
- not-for-profit organizations;
- small municipalities (with a population under 250 000 as per census data);
- small private-sector organizations (fewer than 50 employees and under $5 million in gross revenue per year);
- colleges and universities;
- territorial governments; and
- Aboriginal governments.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- constructing an interior or exterior ramp;
- installing wider doors or automated door openers;
- building an accessible washroom;
- installing an elevator or lift; and
- enhancing interactive speech capability on a public-access computer.
All applications for funding though the Enabling Accessibility Fund’s 2011 Call for Proposals were screened against mandatory program criteria and for completeness. Successful projects demonstrated they were able to create or enhance accessibility for people with disabilities within Canada and involve community partnerships.
At least 25 percent of the total eligible costs for each project is coming from non-federal government sources.
As part of the Government’s continued commitment to supporting Canadians with disabilities, Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 also provided an additional $30 million invested over three years in the Opportunities Fund. This funding will enable more Canadians with disabilities to obtain work experience with small and medium-sized businesses. As well, through the Registered Disability Savings Plan, beneficiaries and their families will have increased flexibility to establish, contribute to and access savings from their plans.
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