Ontario Investing in a More Accessible Eastern Ontario

PETERBOROUGH –– The Ontario government is creating a stronger, more accessible and inclusive province investing $310,000 through its EnAbling Change Program for four regional projects in Eastern Ontario. These projects will promote accessibility and inclusivity with educational tools, resources and initiatives that make Ontario more open to people of all abilities.

“Our government is helping residents in Eastern Ontario create communities where everyone can participate more fully in everyday life,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “We are proud to invest in these local projects that will drive awareness about the value and benefits of accessibility and provide more opportunity for people of all abilities to participate in their community and economy.”

Ontario is providing funding for these four local projects:

• Council for Persons with Disabilities Peterborough is receiving up to $26,340 for its “Time in My Shoes” program. This experiential program promotes better accessibility for customers and employees in businesses and services by allowing participants to experience mobility challenges, vision loss, hearing loss and invisible disabilities. A virtual reality platform will be developed and expanded with the EnAbling Change Program funding to deliver the “Time in My Shoes” program.

• Electricity Human Resources Canada is receiving up to $129,123 to create a set of made-in-Ontario references tools, learning materials and short videos to extend its online resources and help improve accessibility in the electricity sector.

• Orchestras Canada/Orchestres Canada is receiving up to $48,155 to design and deliver six webinars to educate Ontario not-for-profit performing arts organizations about their legal obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

• Trucking Human Resources Canada (THRC) is receiving up to $108,600 to provide Ontario trucking companies with information about how to create viable employment options for people with disabilities. THRC will conduct an employer survey and interviews to learn more about the challenges that employers in their sector encounter in attracting, employing and retaining people with disabilities.

“Accessibility in all things is something we need to strive toward. That starts with understanding the challenges people with disabilities face each and every day,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The $48,155 announced today for Orchestras Canada and $26,340 for the Council for Persons with Disabilities accomplishes two important goals. First, it will expand access for individuals with disabilities to participate and contribute to our vibrant arts culture. Second, the Council for Persons with Disabilities will be able to share the challenges their community experiences through technology. Together, this is a significant step towards improving accessibility in the City and County of Peterborough.”

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