Enabling Accessibility Fund
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Supports capital projects that improve accessibility in workplaces and community spaces for people with disabilities through grants for renovations, retrofits or accessible technologies.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Canadian organization: business, non-profit, municipality, or community organization
- Project must involve capital improvements to improve physical accessibility for persons with disabilities
- Eligible projects include renovations to workplaces, community spaces, or facilities
- Must contribute at least 50% of total project costs (small projects stream has lower cost-share requirements)
- Cannot be a project already funded under another federal accessibility program
- Project outcomes must primarily benefit persons with disabilities
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Small projects: up to $125,000; Large/mid-size projects: $500,000–$1,000,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 25% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Active 2026 Call for Proposals — check canada.ca for current deadline
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipUse the flat-rate system for common activities (ramps, doors, washrooms, elevators) — it simplifies your application and budget significantly. The biggest mistake for-profit applicants make is framing the project as a general office renovation. Frame everything around barrier removal for specific persons with disabilities. Include letters of support from disability organizations or employees with disabilities — these strengthen the community-impact assessment.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Organization does not demonstrably serve or employ persons with disabilities
- Project is a general renovation not specifically addressing accessibility barriers
- For-profit applicant exceeds 99 full-time equivalent employees
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Success Profile
Not-for-profit organization or small business (under 99 employees) whose mission involves serving or employing persons with disabilities. Project involves clearly defined physical barrier removal — ramps, accessible washrooms, automatic doors, elevators. Community support letters demonstrating impact on persons with disabilities. Located anywhere in Canada. For 2026 CFP: workplace where persons with disabilities are currently employed, or Indigenous community/workplace.
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Evaluation Criteria
Applications assessed on: (1) Clarity of project description and identification of existing accessibility barriers; (2) Demonstrated community support and letters from disability organizations; (3) Assessment of project impact on accessibility and safety for persons with disabilities; (4) Accuracy and justification of project costs (reasonableness and sufficient detail); (5) Organizational capacity to manage and deliver the project within the timeline.
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 9
Eligible Expenses 7
- Renovation, construction, or redesign work to improve physical accessibility (ramps, doors, washrooms, elevators)
- Acquisition and installation of accessible equipment or devices
- Information and communication technologies for improved program/service access
- Accessible signage, wayfinding, and navigation systems
- Automatic door operators and accessible entry modifications
- Accessible washroom construction or renovation
- Elevator or lift installation
Ineligible Expenses 5
- General renovations not specifically addressing accessibility barriers
- Ongoing operational costs (staffing, maintenance, utilities)
- Activities that generate commercial profit (mid-sized stream, for-profit applicants)
- Costs incurred before the contribution agreement is signed
- Land or building acquisition
Intake Periods
Periodic Calls for Proposals — no continuous intake. Multiple streams open at different times. Small Projects and 2026 CFP ($500K-$1M) have separate intake windows. New CFPs typically announced 1-2 times per year per component. Monitor canada.ca/enabling-accessibility-fund.
Deadline Notes
The EAF operates through periodic Calls for Proposals — there is no continuous intake. The program has 3+ components, each with separate intake windows. The 2026 CFP (workplace-focused, $500K-$1M) is currently open and closes March 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT. Small Projects and Mid-Sized intakes are currently closed with no announced reopen date. New CFPs are typically announced 1-2x per year per component.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Federal and provincial government departments and agencies
- Public elementary and secondary schools (except licensed child care on school property)
- Public hospitals and health institutions
- Home-based child care centres
- Crown corporations
- Long-term care facilities not specifically focused on disability services
- Residential housing boards (except transitional housing or accessible common spaces)
- For-profit businesses with more than 99 full-time equivalent employees
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Enabling Accessibility Fund Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enabling Accessibility Fund | up to $125,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Active 2026 Call for... |
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