According to Statistics Canada, an estimated 3.8 million adults in Canada are limited by a disability. That’s 14 per cent of the adult population, which means if your business isn’t accessible to people with disabilities, you’re missing out.
Creating an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities doesn’t have to be time or resource-intensive, but it can lead to significant rewards, including tens of thousands of dollars in funding and your next great employee.
Open your doors to people with disabilities. Read more to learn how to receive up to $50,000 funding and ways you can make your workplace more accessible here.
Get Up to $50,000 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF)
You could receive up to $50,000 from the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to increase the accessibility of your workplace. Applications are open until July 26, 2016.
Funding is available through the Workplace Accessibility Stream. You may be eligible if you’re a business owner employing less than 100 employees who will use it to make your business more open to creating or maintaining employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Eligible accessibility-related coverage may include:
- Renovation
- Construction
- Retrofit activities
- Providing accessible technologies
Some examples of improvements you can make include:
- Installing automated doors
- Retrofitting washrooms
- Building ramp-accessible entrances
The EAF will cover up to 65 per cent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
How to Make Your Business Accessible
Make Your Website Easy
Your business’ website is often the first contact point people will have with your business, especially if they’re looking to join your team. It’s important that people with disabilities are able to interact with your website, or else you risk losing out on potential candidates.
There are many ways you can make your website accessible, such as making images available in a text-alternative, or by providing audio descriptions for text.
Welcome People to Your Workplace
It’s crucial to make your workplace safe for everyone, whether you’re hiring people with disabilities or making your workplace better for your current team. It can be simple and inexpensive to make your space safe, too.
Ways to increase your workplace safety:
- Creating wide, clear hallways and aisles
- Using adjustable desks and counters
- Permitting service animals into your space
Learn More
To learn more about how you can get up to $50,000 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF), visit the EAF website here.
There’s over $5 billion in funding made available to people with disabilities each year from the Government of Canada, crown agencies and corporations. Check out the many opportunities at the Province of British Columbia website here.
Want to know more? Take advantage of Small Business BC’s wide selection of seminars for entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized business owners. Space is limited, so don’t miss your chance to register today.
Plus, don’t forget that you can meet one-on-one with an expert to get specific information that applies to your business by booking an appointment with Small Business BC’s Ask the Expert service now.