Government touts funding support to aid those locally with disabilities

To help kick off National AccessAbility Week, the federal government on Monday touted its funding for 11 projects in the Windsor area that will help improve support for those with disabilities.

Overall, the area will receive $557,000 in funds from the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) which is primarily designed to build new infrastructure such as ramps, automatic doors and accessible washrooms that assists with safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The funding announcement was made by Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrough.

“When barriers to accessibility and inclusion are removed, Canadians with disabilities can participate fully, helping our communities thrive and our economy prosper,” she said.

Among area non-profit entities receiving support are the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women to install push button door openers and a ramp to make their facility more accessible.

The Miracle Park baseball field also received $100,000 to support its construction, while Stonehedge Properties Inc. received EAF funds to convert an existing building into the Walkerville Arts Centre — a multi-use community arts programming space designed for needs of people of all abilities.

“We are supporting non-profit organizations to help offset costs of renovations, provide accessible technology and remove barriers,” Qualtrough said. “Every time you make a change, you are opening things up for many families. Often these are small, but really important changes that matter.”

The federal government has funded over 4,700 projects since the establishment of the EAF in 2007.

Local MP Irek Kusmierczyk (L — Windsor-Tecumseh) also participated in Monday’s online funding announcement.

“Building a more inclusive Canada takes work and we are committed to getting the job done,” he said. “Thanks to the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the government of Canada has been able to support organizations in Windsor region that are working hard to make our community more accessible for persons with disabilities.”

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