Accessible Canada – National AccessAbility Week Funding

Deadline: 17-Jul-24
The Employment and Social Development Canada calls for proposals to support projects that increase awareness through National Accessibility Week (NAAW) to improve understanding and knowledge of Canadians on accessibility and disability inclusion, reduce stigma and attitudinal barriers towards persons with disabilities, and share best practices and lessons learned related to NAAW activities within the disability community.

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) takes place every year starting on the last Sunday in May. It is an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions of Canadians with disabilities. It is also a time to recognize the efforts of individuals, communities and workplaces that are actively working to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion. The NAAW stream under the Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component (SDPP-D) provides grant funding to projects across Canada. These projects raise awareness of the importance of accessibility and disability inclusion in different sectors and communities.

Objectives

• The objectives of the National AccessAbility Week 2024 Call for Proposals are to provide funding to organizations that will increase awareness through National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) activities that:
  • improve understanding and knowledge of Canadians on accessibility and disability inclusion
  • reduce stigma and attitudinal barriers towards persons with disabilities
  • share best practices and lessons learned related to NAAW activities within the disability community

Priorities

• They will give additional points and prioritize projects that:
  • include plans for the participation of persons with disabilities in the overall project design and delivery of associated activities
  • include plans to test, learn and scale-up project activities, so that they can reach more people, communities and build more partnerships
  • support NAAW activities within underrepresented communities (e.g., Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs), 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), minority communities, including Black and other visible minority groups)

Funding Information

• Funding amount: Up to $100,000 or $200,000 (with special requirements) for a project that is up to 2 years.
  • Eligible organizations can apply for up to $50,000 per year
    • to a maximum of $100,000 per organization over 2 years
  • They will also consider funding up to $100,000 per year
    • to a maximum of $200,000 per organization over 2 years
  • Projects requesting more than $100,000 in total funding must meet all of the following criteria:
    • have a national scope (delivered in more than 1 province or territory)
    • include 1 or more partnerships among diverse groups from within the disability community (for example, small to medium size disability organizations, organizations supporting different types of disabilities, and organizations supporting persons with disabilities with intersectional identities)
    • include with the application the letter(s) of support from implicated partners
    • include plans to actively offer accessible and inclusive services, and
    • meet the following Official Languages (OL) requirements:
      • provide project-related documentation and announcements in both official languages (for the public and prospective project participants, if any)
      • actively offer project-related services in both official languages
      • encourage members of both OL communities to participate in the project
      • provide its services, where appropriate, in such a manner as to address the needs of both OL communities

Eligible Projects

• Your project must meet all of the following criteria:
  • meet the objectives of the Call for Proposals (CFP)
  • have activities taking place during NAAW 2025 and 2026
  • be no longer than 2 years
  • ask for no more than $100,000 or $200,000

Program Activities

• Example of eligible activities
  • Annual awareness raising events during NAAW, such as:
  • arts and cultural events
  • speaking events
  • awareness raising products such as videos, social media campaigns
• Example of ineligible activities
  • Construction projects
  • Installation of accessible building supports
  • Repair projects
  • Lobbying activities

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants
  • Your organization must be 1 of the following types:
    • not-for-profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities in the community
    • organizations and institutions supported by provincial/territorial entities such as
    • educational institutions
    • health/social services institutions in partnership with disability organizations
    • municipalities in partnership with disability organizations
    • Indigenous organizations including:
    • band councils
    • tribal councils
    • self-government entities
• Ineligible applicants
  • The following groups are ineligible for funding:
    • for-profit organizations
    • individuals
    • provincial/territorial governments

For more information, visit Government of Canada.