Canadians across the country are feeling the economic impacts of COVID-19. In order to ensure a strong recovery, all Canadians need to be able to contribute equally to our economy.
As part of Canada’s fourth National AccessAbility Week, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, announced financial support of up to $6.4 million over three years for up to 16 organizations across Canada through the disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP-D). This funding will support partnerships between disability stakeholders and the federally regulated private sector and help to develop best practice tools and resources in the areas of accessible workplaces, accessible service design and delivery, and communication.
The calls for proposals were launched in 2019 under two different streams:
- Financial Security: to help improve the financial security of persons with disabilities through innovative approaches aimed at improving the financial situation of working-age Canadians with disabilities living in or near poverty; and,
- Youth Leadership: to develop the next generation of youth disability leaders by providing meaningful leadership experiences to youth with disabilities or lived experience, while also facilitating succession planning and sustainability in the disability sector.
Two targeted calls for proposals were also held in 2019:
- Accessible Canada Partnership Project: to fund projects aimed at supporting ongoing participation by disability stakeholders in the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act; and,
- Indigenous Leadership: to help provide the perspective of Indigenous persons with disabilities as part of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reporting process.
The Social Development Partnerships Program helps children and families, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable Canadians improve their lives. The disability component of this program funds not-for-profit organizations that promote the social inclusion of persons with disabilities; address the social issues and barriers that persons with disabilities face in Canadian society; and support the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act. As a result of the pandemic, social barriers to inclusion have increased, which is why funding to organizations through SDPP-D is more important than ever. Organizations who will receive funding will be able to continue working with partners and stakeholders across the country to create an inclusive, equitable and accessible society for all using intersectional, sustainable and human-rights-based approaches.
