Deadline: 14-Aug-2025
The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility has launched a new grant program called the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant. The goal of this program is to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and older adults by supporting them to live active, healthy, safe, and socially connected lives.
The new EASE Grant replaces the EnAbling Change Program and Inclusive Community Grants Program with a single, streamlined grant program that focuses on small capital projects to improve accessibility in Ontario communities. It aims to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and older adults by funding improvements in outdoor spaces and built environments, including housing, through small capital projects and retrofits.
The program prioritizes implementing improvements to outdoor spaces and the built environment to increase accessibility for people with disabilities and older adults. The maximum grant size is $60,000 per recipient.
Eligible projects include universal design features such as adjustable-height countertops, touchless faucets, automatic locks, and wide doorways to accommodate mobility aids. Retrofits like permanent entrance ramps, barrier-free entrances, universal washrooms, and additional accessibility features at swimming pools are also eligible. Enhanced wayfinding systems such as expanded braille signage, tactile directional indicators, and high-contrast, large-print maps qualify as well.
Outdoor accessibility enhancements include expanded accessible parking, wider exterior paths, mobility mats at beaches, charging stations for mobility devices along accessible trails, lights, benches, ramps, accessible outdoor fitness equipment, and adaptable sporting facilities. Public transportation improvements may involve accessible transit stops with shelters and barrier-free paths of travel, as well as enhanced priority seating on conventional transit vehicles.
Inclusive playgrounds with additional sensory play features, accessible swings, and firm, stable, non-slip surface materials are eligible. Safe evacuation measures like emergency evacuation chairs, enhanced safety features in designated waiting areas, and increased signage supporting evacuation protocols for people with disabilities are also included.
Eligible costs for the grant include personnel costs such as salaries for staff directly related to the project. Professional and contracted services like architects, landscape designers, engineers, accessibility consultants, construction companies, and vendors supplying equipment or infrastructure are covered. Capital and infrastructure costs include installation of accessibility features like ramps, tactile paving, handrails, age-friendly enhancements such as benches, shade structures, lighting, pathway improvements, signage, minor renovations, and retrofits.
Equipment and materials such as construction materials and fixtures like outdoor seating or accessible playground equipment are eligible. Ineligible costs include ongoing operating or regular planning activities, core administrative and overhead costs like rent, office supplies, telephone, and communications services. Development of architectural or engineering design drawings, refundable taxes, purchase of commercial liability insurance, purchase of land, banking fees, fundraising, lobbying, sponsorship campaigns, legal, audit or interest fees, purchase of vehicles or fuel, grants to other organizations, deficit reduction plans, and project components already completed or fully funded by another organization are not eligible.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, especially those working with Accessibility Advisory Committees if established. Under the AODA, municipalities with over 10,000 residents must have an Accessibility Advisory Committee. Not-for-profit organizations must be legal entities incorporated in Ontario or Canada and operating for at least one year prior to application submission. Examples include conservation authorities, district social services administration boards, and faith-based groups serving Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous governing bodies authorized to act on behalf of First Nation, Inuit, or Métis groups with constitutionally recognized rights are also eligible. Ineligible applicants include individuals, for-profit organizations, federal or provincial government agencies, private foundations, unincorporated associations or organizations, entities involved in political lobbying, organizations in default of provincial grants, and schools, hospitals, or postsecondary institutions.
For more information, visit Ontario Government.