Costly renovations
Cape Breton businesses granted provincial accessibility program funding
More companies in Cape Breton are taking advantage of the province’s $1-million Business Access-Ability program this year that’s aimed at improving infrastructure and training for employees.
Through its Accessibility Act, which was passed in April 2017, the province is intending to make all establishments fully accessible to those living with disabilities by 2030.
Standards for public buildings, streets, sidewalks and shared spaces will be rolled out by 2022 and will be implemented in subsequent years.
There were only four Cape Breton businesses that qualified for funding through the program in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Meanwhile, in the latest grants announcement earlier this month, the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage provided 12 businesses in Cape Breton with funding to make building improvements.
More grants could be handed out before the end of the fiscal year as applications are received.
A total of 24 businesses across the province have been provided with $580,000 in funding in 2018-19.
The Clansman Motel in North Sydney received $50,000 to make improvements to the 53-year-old building.
“We’re still in the planning stages in getting everything done,” said the motel’s general manager Sandra Allen-Simec on Tuesday.
“(The funding) will be used to help people get into the dining room and to the rooms, making sure all of our walkways are accessible (and) into the outdoor pool area.”
She recently attended an information session hosted by reachAbility, a nonprofit organization based in Halifax that’s working with the province to make businesses and other groups aware of the accessibility laws and the funding that’s available to cover some of the costs of renovations or further training for staff.
It was during that two-hour workshop that Allen-Simec learned more about how the new legislation will impact business.
“We want everybody to enter our building, be served and to feel comfortable,” she said.
“Something for us to think about is the washrooms. We have accessible washrooms but how do they get in if the door is closed. It’s something we never thought of.”
At Fast Furniture in Sydney, a six-foot wide automatic opening glass door has just been installed at the front of the store.
“Even if someone has a stroller or a walker, it’s a lot easier with a six-foot door than just the one three-footer,” said Fast Furniture co-owner Wyatt Burke.
The work on the building also includes improvements to the walkway leading to the entrance.
The company received a $22,644 grant from the province but the overall improvements to the building, located on Disco Street, are expected to reach about $50,000.
Under the business accessibility program, individual businesses can apply for funding to pay up to two-thirds of a capped amount for each approved project.
The caps range from $50,000 for the construction/renovation projects; $30,000 for accessible communication services; $30,000 for the provision of assistive devices; and $40,000 for accessible transportation projects.
An example of a construction project would be creating accessible parking spaces, installing automated door openers and “curb cuts” on privately owned walkways.
Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage spokeswoman Lynette MacLeod said in an email it’s expected the remainder of the funding will be allocated before the end of the fiscal year in March.
“We are pleased with the number of businesses across the province who are coming forward with ideas and projects that meet the fund’s eligibility requirements,” she said recently.