Every day, youth across Canada and around the world are actively engaged in issues that matter to them, impacting not only their daily lives but also their future. This includes making positive change in their communities to remove barriers to achieving a fully accessible and inclusive country. The Government of Canada is committed to helping youth reach their full potential by developing leadership skills, gaining valuable experience, and making a positive difference in improving accessibility within their communities.
Today, as part of National AccessAbility Week 2024, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, launched a new call for proposals (CFP) under the youth innovation component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF). Under this new CFP, $1 million will be allocated to fund approximately 83 new youth-driven accessibility projects. For the occasion, the Minister visited the Toronto Jewish Disability Network in Toronto, Ontario, which offers resources and support to persons with disabilities and their families.
As a first step for this EAF Youth 2024 CFP process, Canadian youth between the ages of 15 and 30 are encouraged to apply to become a youth accessibility leader (YAL). YALs play an important role in helping identify barriers across Canadian communities by partnering with local organizations to assist them in securing up to $12,000 in accessibility project funding. Together, YALs and their partner organizations will have up to 12 months to complete their project.
Under this 2024 EAF youth innovation CFP, youth across Canada are invited to submit their expressions of interest in being designated a YAL online by October 4, 2024, at 3 p.m. EDT. Organizations partnering with a confirmed YAL must submit their application for project funding by 3 p.m. EDT online on November 1, 2024.
During her visit to the Toronto Jewish Disability Network, the Minister also announced $1,417,155 in funding to support 168 accessible projects through the EAF youth 2023 CFP process.
The EAF program supports the Government's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which is focused on reducing poverty among persons with disabilities, helping persons with disabilities into good quality jobs, facilitating easier access to federal programs and services, and building accessible and inclusive communities while fostering a culture of inclusion.
