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, Delta MP Carla Qualtrough, announced financial support on Monday 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).
“As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is committed to helping persons with disabilities maintain their health, safety and dignity,” said Qualtrough in a news release. “There is a crucial role for the government in continuing to help break down barriers to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and contribute to our society. Through the Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability component funding, we continue to change perceptions, by working with organizations across Canada to find projects that improve social inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities.”
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 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.
