The Government of Canada is investing $1.1 million to support disability organizations to support and enhance accessible communications for persons with disabilities during COVID-19 pandemic.
Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough says in a statement the additional funds will be used to enhance their communications and engagement activities to better address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities.
The importance of accessible communications and the need for engagement with persons with disabilities during the pandemic is critical at this time and has been raised as a key issue by the disability community and the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group. The Advisory Group was created to advise Minister Qualtrough on the real-time lived experiences of persons with disabilities during this crisis, on disability-specific issues, challenges and systemic gaps, on strategies, measures and steps to be taken in response, in keeping with a “nothing without us” approach.
Supporting the disability community to maintain communications and engagement during the pandemic will allow organizations to create a barrier-free, multi-lingual experience for persons with disabilities and ensure they receive accessible and relevant information to support them during this time.
On June 5, the Prime Minister announced additional supports in recognition of the extraordinary expenses faced by persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These supports include a one-time payment of up to $600 to certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit, a new investment of $15 million to create a National Workplace Accessibility Stream through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, as well as new investments through the Accessible Technology Program.
