Ontario Investing in More Accessible Communities

Press Release

Province building a stronger Ontario with more inclusive and accessible businesses and communities

March 02, 2022

Toronto – The Ontario government is building a stronger, more accessible and inclusive province by investing up to $1.3 million through its EnAbling Change Program to support 14 projects across the province. These initiatives promote the importance of accessibility and provide tools and educational resources that make Ontario open to people of all abilities.

“Our government is helping people create stronger communities where people of all abilities can participate more fully in everyday life,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “We are proud to invest in these projects all across the province that will drive awareness about the value and benefits of accessibility and provide more opportunity for everyone to thrive in jobs and their communities.”

The EnAbling Change Program supports and helps raise awareness of the importance of accessibility to communities and a wide range of businesses sectors through online initiatives, educational tools and guides, and public outreach programs. This is especially important because while some disabilities can be seen, most are invisible.

Some of the projects funded most recently through the program include:

a virtual reality platform to help demystify disability,
resources for employers in the electricity and trucking sectors to help make jobs in these sectors more accessible to people with disabilities,
learning models to improve employment opportunities for postsecondary students with disabilities, and
resources to help coaches safely and effectively coach blind hockey.

The EnAbling Change Program is one more action the Ontario government is taking, along with its Advancing Accessibility in Ontario framework, to help more people participate in community activities and job opportunities and to promote a culture of inclusion.

Quick Facts

The objectives for the 2021-22 EnAbling Change Program are:
- COVID-19 recovery by supporting people with disabilities, seniors and other marginalized communities during and after the pandemic through innovative solutions that improve their quality of life and eliminate barriers
- Online innovation by serving people with disabilities, seniors and other marginalized communities through online methods and innovative technology
- Scaling best practices by amplifying successes that are dedicated to making an inclusive and accessible province.
The 2021-22 EnAbling Change Program projects align with key focus areas of the Advancing Accessibility in Ontario framework, including improving understanding and awareness about accessibility, and increasing participation in the economy for people with disabilities.

Additional Resources

Ontario Investing in More Accessible Communities

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