SUDBURY – This week marks National Accessibility Week across Canada. It is a chance to celebrate and highlight the rich talent and contributions made by people living with disabilities, including right here in our community. Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, on behalf of Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, highlighted 5 projects which received over $284,000 in funding under the Small Projects component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).

These projects include:

• The Foodshed / Twin Forks Community Garden: Accessibility Project – $9,786
• Science North: Accessible Parking / Ramps - $100,000
• Trinity United Church: Accessibility Renovations - $83,499
• Northern Outreach and Clinical Services: Accessible Multi-Sensory Room- $83,994
• Sudbury Women’s Centre: Accessibility Renovations - $7,327

This week MP Lapointe met with these organizations to hear directly about their projects and the direct impact they will have on community members.

The Small Projects component of the EAF provides funding to organizations for small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that enable persons with disabilities to live and work in more inclusive and accessible communities. The program helps provide vital accessible infrastructure such as ramps, automatic doors and accessible washrooms. It directly supports organizations so they can offer programs, services and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.

These projects are excellent examples of how, by working with organizations, the Government of Canada continues to break down barriers to accessibility advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities and reinforcing its commitment to create a barrier-free country.

Quotes

“Building a more inclusive Canada takes a lot of work, but it's important work that must be done. Thanks to the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Government of Canada has been able to support several community organizations remove barriers to become more inclusive. Together, we are working hard to make our community more accessible for persons with disabilities.” - Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament Sudbury

“Each project announced today, whether big or small, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on all persons with disabilities. Thank you to the Enabling Accessibility Fund for empowering community organizations in Nickel Belt to break down barriers to accessibility.” – Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“The community partners in this project that include the Foodshed Project, the Ward 8 Community Action Network, and the Sudbury Community Garden Network are excited to see this project come to fruition, which will make the garden more accessible to those with mobility issues. It’s part of an overall plan to make Twin Forks Community Park and its community garden welcoming and inclusive to everyone.” - Kryslyn Mohan, Youth Accessibility Leader, The Foodshed Project