British Columbia kicks off its third annual AccessAbility Week with $500,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations for local accessibility projects.

The grants, which range from $10,000 to $40,000 depending on a project’s size and scope, will be distributed by Disability Alliance BC (DABC).

“AccessAbility Week is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate diversity and inclusion, and to highlight the importance of accessibility,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “As a government, we’re working to identify and remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in daily life. This new funding supports that work.”

A call for proposals will be posted on the DABC website in summer 2020, and grants will be awarded by the end of the year. Last year, 14 organizations received funding for accessibility projects in their communities.

“Disability Alliance BC is thrilled to be distributing another round of grants to community organizations across B.C. to promote accessibility and inclusion in the province,” said Justina Loh, executive director of DABC. “In the past two years, we have seen some very innovative and creative projects come to life, and we have seen the number of people impacted by these community projects. We look forward to supporting more organizations across the province and hope that new organizations apply for funding this year.”

Projects can include accessible education and learning, sports and recreation, arts, culture and tourism, community participation, emergency planning and response, and accessible employment.

The Province proclaimed May 31 to June 6, 2020, as B.C.’s third AccessAbility week to promote inclusion and accessibility, and to recognize the people and organizations who are working to make B.C. a more inclusive and welcoming province for people with disabilities. The dates are the same as national AccessAbility week.

Quick Facts:

• AccessAbility week highlights the efforts of people, communities and workplaces that are actively removing barriers so people of all abilities have a better chance to succeed.
• This is the third year these grants are being made available.
• As of 2017, there are more than 926,000 British Columbians over the age of 15 with some form of disability.

Learn More:

For information about B.C. government accessibility initiatives, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/accessibility/background/accessibility-leadership

To read the AccessAbility week proclamation, visit: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/proclamations/proclamations/AccessAbilityWeek2020