The Manitoba government is providing more than $890,000 from the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) to 42 organizations across the province that are undertaking projects to promote accessibility and remove barriers for people with disabilities, Families Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for accessibility, announced today.
“The MAF was created with the purpose of aiding organizations in implementing the essential changes needed to enhance accessibility in their services, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Manitobans and enabling full participation within their communities,” said Squires. “The funding announced today will support 42 projects dedicated to promoting accessibility and inclusivity for everyone. It is truly inspiring to witness the diverse range of initiatives being supported by the grants across the province.”
Manitoba organizations must meet the requirements of the three accessibility standards currently in force under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act affecting customer service, employment, and information and communications.
One of the 42 projects being supported with this year’s grants is the South Interlake Regional Library, which will receive $27,900 to assist in removing barriers to information and communications electronically by making adaptive technology available and bringing more than 1.2 million book titles to disabled Manitobans in rural areas.
“We believe that literacy is a human right that belongs to everyone. The MAF grant is providing the resources to help us bring reading materials from the Centre for Equitable Library Access to print-disabled library users in rural areas through assistive technology,” said Clint Curle, director, South Interlake Regional Library.
All projects must fulfil one of three objectives including:
raising awareness about the prevention and removal of barriers;
developing tools, resources and training to support compliance with legislated standards; or
removing barriers to information and communications electronically, in print and in person.
Another 2023 MAF recipient is FortWhyte Alive, which is receiving $25,000 to enable them to work with the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities to undertake a diagnostic accessibility audit to identify physical, visual, hearing and mobility barriers, and improve accessibility and visitor experience based on universal design.
“FortWhyte Alive is dedicated to connecting people with nature through recreation and education, but our natural environment comes with many barriers that prevent full inclusion. Now, thanks to the Manitoba Accessibility Fund grant, we will be able to identify and break down these barriers to create opportunities for all people to access nature,” said Janaiya Giesbrecht, visitor experience manager, FortWhyte Alive.
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund, managed by The Winnipeg Foundation, was launched in 2021 with a $20-million investment. The fund promotes increased compliance with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, which became law in 2013 to ensure accessibility in important areas of everyday life. The act’s accessibility standards target government and public sector organizations, businesses, non-profit groups and municipalities.
This is the second year that the fund has provided grants. In 2022, $756,000 was awarded to 30 organizations as part of the inaugural grant awards.
For more information on accessibility in Manitoba and to view the full list of recipients of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund, visit https://accessibilitymb.ca/grants-and-awards/manitoba-accessibility-fund.html
