CFAs: Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program (Canada)

This program offers cost-shared grants to business for accessibility related improvements. This program is part of the Province of Nova Scotia’s commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive communities. In alignment with the Accessibility Act, Nova Scotia is committed to an Accessible Nova Scotia by 2030 (Access by design).

The Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create welcoming environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities.

Funding Information

• Overall grant limit: The maximum grant amount available per year is $50,000 per applicant.

Eligibility Criteria

• Your business operates in Nova Scotia.
• Your business is registered as a for-profit entity with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks, including locally-owned franchises.
• Your business is open for use by all community members at reasonable rates and reasonable times and not reserved to those belonging by way of a closed membership or other means.
• Features and improvements required by law or legislation Except for restaurants required to comply with the human rights decision of 2019 to have wheelchair accessible washrooms.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Ineligible Businesses:
  • Businesses not registered with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks
  • Franchises, unless locally owned
  • Residential rental properties
  • Businesses considered closed to the public, for members only
  • Not-for-profit agencies and municipalities

Evaluation Criteria

• The panel evaluates applications against the following criteria:
  • demonstrates a commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive communities through improving overall accessibility.
  • creates a welcoming commercial environment that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities.
  • creates universal access of the business through implementation of universal design principles, such as those examples of CSA and other standards listed above.
  • where applicable, a barrier-free, independent path of travel is created from public curb to interior amenities.

For more information, visit Government of Nova Scotia.