The B.C. government is once again making a call for grant proposals for community projects aimed to improve accessibility.
B.C.'s third annual AccessAbility Week, from May 31 to June 6, recognizes people and organizations that help provide those with disabilities an opportunity to succeed.
This year the province is again distributing a total of $500,000 in grants for community projects focusing on improving accessibility.
“AccessAbility Week is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate diversity and inclusion, and to highlight the importance of accessibility,” said Shane Simpson, B.C. 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.”
Funds are distributed through grants administered by the Disability Alliance BC (DABC). A call for proposals will be posted on DABC’s website with grants awarded at the end of the year.
Projects can include accessible education and learning, sports and recreation, arts, culture and tourism, community participation, emergency planning and response and accessible employment.
Justina Loh, executive director of Disability Alliance BC (DABC), said in a statement the organization is “thrilled” to be distributing grants to community organizations to promote accessibility and inclusion in the province.
“In the past two years, we have seen some very innovative and creative projects come to life, and we have seen some very innovative and creative people impacted by these community projects,” said Loh.
“We look forward to supporting more organizations across the province and hope that new organizations apply for funding this year.”
Fourteen organizations received funding last year. In B.C., more than 926,000 people aged 15 and older identify as individuals with some form of disability.
For more information on proposal calls, visit disabilityalliancebc.org
