PORT COLBORNE, ONTARIO, July 28, 2010— The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today invited organizations to apply for grants of up to $75,000 for projects that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities and enable them to participate fully in their communities.

“Our government supports Canadians with disabilities and their families. Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, we are improving access to facilities, activities and services,” said Minister of State Fletcher. “Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the success of this program by increasing investments that remove barriers for Canadians with disabilities.”

Minister of State Fletcher launched the call for proposals at the City of Port Colborne’s Humberstone Hall, which received $50,000 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund in 2009. To improve the accessibility of this building, the City installed automatic door openers, widened an interior doorway, and made the washrooms accessible.

The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 300 organizations have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in their communities.

Organizations can submit proposals until September 10, 2010, under the Fund’s small projects component. Small projects may include renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings, modification of vehicles for community use, or enhancements to make information and communication technologies more accessible..

The Government of Canada continues to support new programs and initiatives for Canadians with disabilities and their families. The Government launched the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Disability component of the Canada Pension Plan, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, and post-secondary education assistance measures for students with disabilities.

“In addition to the Registered Disability Savings Plan, our government is delivering both the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Canada Disability Savings Bond,” said Minister of State Fletcher. “These initiatives will further assist Canadians with disabilities in working toward greater long-term financial security.”

Year Two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan proposes a number of additional measures to support people with disabilities, including enhancing the Registered Disability Savings Plan to provide Canadians with disabilities and their families with more flexibility when saving for the future, and providing $5 million annually for five years to the Canadian Paralympic Committee to build on the successes of our Paralympians and continue to encourage persons with disabilities to actively participate in sport.