Funds boost accessibility at retirement home
$357,000 in accessibility grant approvals announced
John Gray of the St. Joseph’s at Fleming resident council is looking forward to being able to go from balcony to balcony to take care of his dear plants, thanks to funding from the federal Enabling Accessibility Fund revealed Monday.
“We are all very excited for this breath of fresh air,” he said after Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef announced the longterm-care facility was one of 11 groups in the riding that will share in $357,364 for accessibility projects.
Gray, who uses a wheelchair, said the $49,868 grant will allow St. Joseph’s to install automatic door openers and renovate doorways to provide residents independent access to balconies and courtyards, for example.
A group of residents began advocating in 2016 for better access to the outdoors soon found out how cost-prohibitive retrofits would be, he said. St. Joseph’s applied for the funding and in February, learned their request was approved.
“Our dreams were soon to become reality,” Gray said.
The funding will help build automatic doorways, improve and renovate ramps, create accessible playgrounds and ensure that accessibility is a feature we will continue to celebrate, Monsef told those gathered in the auditorium of the Brealey Dr. facility.
“It’s about ensuring that everyone in our community has an opportunity to fully partici-
pate, whether its for social reasons, or for economic reasons, in everything this community as to offer,” she said, pointing out that one in seven Canadians live with a disability.
The 11 grant recipients were awarded because accessibility and inclusion are at the core of their mandates, Monsef said.
The MP also announced that a new call for proposals has been issued
But the application process will be different this year – it will be based on concepts, not complete proposals, she explained.
“It doesn’t have to be as indepth.”
Eligible organizations can seek $350,000 to $1 million for midsized projects before a deadline of May 24. Funds fall under one of two streams – community accessibility or workplace accessibility.
People chose to spend their golden years in Peterborough so that they can retire with dignity, Monsef said, citing locals’ “ability to welcome newcomers” and “be active participants in this era of reconciliation.”
“And this is not just about doing the right thing,” she said. “It’s about doing the smart thing for the economy. When we make spaces where everyone can participate, we all prosper.”
Monsef made Monday’s announcement on behalf of Science, Sport and Persons with Disabilities Minister Kirsty Duncan.
NOTES: The Enabling Accessibility Fund, created in 2007, is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada.… For more information on the EAF and how to apply, visit http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/ disability/eaf/
When we make spaces where everyone can participate, we all prosper.
MARYAM MONSEF PETERBOROUGH -KAWARTHA MP