Channel 1 Los Angeles
Montreal, Quebec
5/30/19
The Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, announced financial support of more than $4 million over two years through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) small and mid-sized projects components to over 60 organizations in the province of Quebec.
The announcement took place at the Atwater Library and Computer Centre, one of the organizations to receive EAF support this year. Funding of $608,000 will assist the library with the construction of a ramp, and the installation of an elevator and an automatic door opener, all of which will enable persons with disabilities and limited mobility access the building and its programs and services.
The EAF is a federal grants and contributions program that supports community-based projects across Canada aimed at improving accessibility and safety in public spaces and workplaces. The EAF small and mid-sized projects components provide grants and contributions funding to support construction, renovation or retrofit of facilities or venues, creating more opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in community activities, programs and services, or access employment opportunities.
Minister Qualtrough also took the opportunity to highlight the federal Budget 2019 investment of $22.8 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, to assist Canada’s independent book publishing industry with increasing their production and distribution of books in accessible formats for persons with print disabilities. This will enable more individuals with print disabilities to read and learn, improving their quality of life and opening the door to more opportunities to work and contribute to their own success.
While in Montreal, Minister Qualtrough also spoke at the Canadian Hard of Hearing Educational Conference and Trade Show, where she discussed the importance of developing accessibility standards, planned as part of the implementation of Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act.
Bill C-81, which has been adopted by both Houses of Parliament and is currently awaiting Royal Assent, is another concrete step the Government of Canada is taking to break down barriers to accessibility. This proposed legislation is meant to promote broad organizational and cultural change, while proactively identifying, removing and preventing barriers toward the realization of a truly accessible Canada.