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PEI Workforce Adaptation Fund Grant Program

PEI Workforce Adaptation Fund Grant Program Guidelines

This program offers cost-shared grants to businesses and not for profit organizations for accessibility-related improvements.

Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create welcoming commercial environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities. Grants are limited to $50,000 per applicant per year.

This program is part of the Province of Prince Edward Island's commitment to creating equal opportunities and fostering inclusive communities. ResourceAbilities; a local non-profit, non- government organization, will administer the fund on behalf of the Province of PEI, will be responsible for assisting applicants, and for helping applicants identify other additional sources of funding that may be available.

Is your business or not for profit organization eligible?

Your business or not for profit organization must meet these requirements:

  • Operates in Prince Edward Island.
  • Registered with the province of Prince Edward Island.
  • 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.
  • Have a minimum of 2 full-time paid employees
  • Committed to creating an accessible environment that will facilitate the additional hiring of people with disabilities

Ineligible

  • Businesses or not for profit organizations not registered with the Province of Prince Edward Island
  • Franchise businesses unless locally owned
  • Features and improvements required by law or legislation
  • Residential rental properties
  • Businesses or not for profit organizations considered closed to the public, for members only
  • Business or not for profit organizations that do not have paid employees.

Is your project eligible?

  • Your business or not for profit organization hasn’t been approved for PEI Workforce
  • Adaptation Funding yet this fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
  • Your project includes items from one or more of our 3 funding categories; Built Environment and Accessibility Certification, Accessible Communication and Assistive Devices, and/or Capacity Building.
  • If your project includes Built Environment construction or renovations, it must meet the Barrier Free Design requirements of the National Building Code
  • You have met with ResourceAbilities Program staff to identify accessibility improvements and recommendations.

Other regulatory references that may help with your project:

You are encouraged to refer to and incorporate these into your project, when applicable.

Canadian Standards Association, CSA, Technical Standards

  • Accessible Design for the Built Environment, CSA-B651-12
  • Accessible Design for Self-Service Interactive Devices, CAN/ CSA-B651.2
  • Accessible Design for Automated Banking Machines, CSA-B651.1
  • Customer Service Standard for People with Disabilities, CSA B480
  • Inclusive Design for an Aging Population, CAN/CSA B659
  • Electrical Aids for Physically Disabled Persons, CSA Z323.3.1
  • Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities, CSA-B355
  • Motor Vehicles for the Transportation of Persons with Physical Disabilities, CSA-D409
  • Transportable Mobility Aids, CAN/CSA-Z604

United States, Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Yukon Government

  • Barrier Free Design: Illustrated Guide

Funding Guidelines

Funds are available for cost-shared grants to eligible businesses or not for profit organizations that wish to make places of business more accessible for customers, employees and volunteers with disabilities.

Risks of spending before approval: If you incur project expenditures before getting formal project approval, you assume the risk of those costs not being approved. Such expenditures may be eligible for cost sharing under this program, but only when incurred within the government’s current fiscal year (April 1-March 31).

Leased premises: Funding applications for improvements to leased premises are considered when the lease period extends to at least two years beyond the date the application is submitted for projects at $25,000 and under, or a period of at least 5 years for projects between $25,000 and $50,000.

In-kind contributions: Applicants may use in-kind (donated) materials, labor, and equipment as part of their contribution. For unskilled volunteer labor, applicants must use a recognized industry standard, to a maximum of $20/hr. For skilled labor and professional services, applicants may use contractor’s or professional’s commercial rates. Include a copy of the contractor’s certified ID card, Red Seal certification, professional designations, or proof of incorporation.

Categories: Applicants may apply under one or more categories. See below.

Overall grant limit: The maximum grant amount available per year is $50,000 (total between all categories).

Other government grants: Grants from other government sources must be declared and may affect the amount of grant awarded under this program.

Project Size: The amount of funding your business or not for profit organization is eligible to receive is determined by the project’s scale in terms of funding need.

(Applicants may submit more than 1 project application with a maximum organizational funding cap of $50,000 between all projects. Organizations may apply for more funding for projects in following years).

Applications for projects are accepted for review continuously until the fund is exhausted. Project applications must be submitted by the 15th of the month and will be reviewed within 30 days.

Funding Categories

Built Environment and Accessibility Certification

Objective: To remove physical barriers for persons (customers and employees) to access business services.

Important: Proposed projects are not eligible for funding if they are already required by law.

Eligible expenses:

  • Improvements to the physical environment of a business, including such things as “curb cuts” on private property, providing accessible parking, making bathrooms accessible, installing automatic door openers, creating barrier free paths of travel, pertaining to the following.
    • Existing facility renovations/enhancements that meet or exceed the accessibility requirements of the national building code are eligible.
    • Partial funding for new construction projects can be provided where the design/build exceeds the national building code (minimum standards) required. Eligible expenses would include the cost differences between national building code (NBC) and Accessible Standards Canada (ASC).
    • Businesses or not for profit organizations that do not currently comply with the minimum building code standards and wish to renovate or build a space that exceeds the minimum standards can apply, and if they are approved, the funding will address the difference in cost between the minimum building code standards and the cost of the additional enhancements that go above the minimum requirements.
    • Other improvements that improve the safety of individuals or further a facility’s goal to be universally accessible—considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Design and permit fees: the design of the above-mentioned improvements to the built environment and any applicable building permit/development fees.
  • Audit and certification: by certified engineer, arranged by ResourceAbilities, or of your choosing.

Funding available:

  • Up to 80% of total project costs to a maximum of $50,000 inclusive of design and permit fees, construction costs associated with accessibility improvements, accessibility audit fees where applicable, additional insurances etc.
  • Design and permit fees: up to 15% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $15,000.
  • Audit and certification: up to 2/3 of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $20,000. Businesses can apply for multiple buildings or sites, owned or leased, if applicable. Grant funds are awarded after a facility has received its CSA approval and submitted proof of certification.

Accessible Communication and Assistive Devices

Objective: Ensure that all customers, clients, and employees can access information related to a business, and that employees and consumers who are persons with disabilities have the devices that they need to effectively do their jobs and access places of business.

Eligible expenses:

Any improvement that permits persons with disability to communicate with a commercial or business enterprise, including

  • Accessible web design
  • Accessible signage, both analogue and digital
  • Assistive technologies to enable individuals who have visual or hearing impairments to communicate with a business or not-for-profit organization.
  • Conversion of commercial documentation into braille or other formats
  • Fire alarms for those who have hearing impairment.
  • Captioning of commercial videos
  • Assistive devices that are movable equipment, such as page turners, adaptive switches, voice recognition programs, etc.
  • The purchase and installation of assistive devices.
  • The training of employees to use assistive devices.

Funding available:
Up to 80% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $25,000

Capacity Building

Objective: Develop capacity within the business and non-profit sector to support additional opportunities for persons with disabilities to be engaged in the workforce.

Eligible expenses:
Trainer fees, resources, hosting costs, project management costs, promotion.

Funding available:
Up to 80% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $25,000.

How to Apply

  1. Speak with ResourceAbilities program staff about your proposed project before completing the application form—contact information below.
  2. Complete the PEI Workforce Adaptation Fund Program Application form.
  3. Use the checklist to assemble your application package—the form and all requested documentation.
  4. Submit your complete application package to ResourceAbilities office by mail, email, or in person.

Your submission will not be evaluated until it is fully completed.

Approval Process

  • Applications will be accepted until the grant program is 100% exhausted.
  • Applications that are not fully completed will not be considered. Refer to the checklist.
  • Applications must be submitted by the 15th of the month and will be reviewed within 30 days.

Applications are reviewed by the PEI Workforce Adaptation Fund Grant Review Panel which will include members of the AccessAbility Advisory Council for review. 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

Funding Payment Conditions

  • If you are approved for funding, you will get a letter that outlines the terms and conditions to sign and return.
  • If you declared any non-repayable contributions, these must be used for the activity as described in the application.
  • must notify us before making any changes to the project described in your application, including start and end dates, location, or any other significant changes.
  • If you don’t undertake or complete the project after receiving payment of the grant, you must return the funds to the department.
  • You must submit a final report within 30 days of completing your project.

Address for submitting applications.

ResourceAbilities
5 Lower Malpeque Rd
Unit 2 Landmark Plaza,
Charlottetown PE
C1E 1R4
Devon@ResourceAbilities.ca
Fax: 902-566-1919

For more information

Devon Broome
Executive Director - ResourceAbilities.ca
902-892-9149 ext. 225

Checklist of Required Documentation

Description of business/not for profit organization: Include how long has the organization has been in existence.

Description of business/not for profit organization: If you are applying to fund a renovation or construction project, please describe current layout and issues. Include photos/sketches/drawings for clarity.

Documented use of the business/not for profit organization: Identify activities that take place and groups that use the organization and their frequency of use.

Description of proposed project: Describe the project in detail, including how the project will make the organization accessible or compliment current accessible features, and how it will benefit the surrounding community.

Copy of lease agreement or proof of ownership: For proposed improvements to leased space, include written approval of property owner and copy of current lease. For proof of ownership, include the deed or property assessment.

Other grants: Identify all other sources of grant funds that will be used for the project.

Proof of insurance: Include the whole insurance policy or the portion that states the coverage period and indicates that the equipment or property are insured and type of coverage, such as for fire and vandalism. Renewal notices are not valid proof.

Proof of registration as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity: identify how long the organization has existed.

Detailed estimates: For projects totaling less than $25,000, include 2 quotes. For projects above $25,000, include 3 quotes. If the required number of quotes cannot be obtained, explain why. Identify the successful quote and give reasons for vendor selection.

Proof of skilled labor: If using skilled labor as an in-kind contribution, include a copy of the contractor’s professional ID card or Red Seal certification.

Proof of need for assistive devices: If applying for assistive devices, identify the purpose and explain the expected results of installed equipment. For assistive medical devices, such as hearing aids, include proof that the devices are not covered under medical insurance plans or other 3rd party funding.

Site photos: Before and After photos help define project scope. Include if available.

Drawings, sketches, maps: Engineered drawings, maps, and illustrations help identify scope and describe the project. Include if available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your business/not for profit may be eligible to receive funding if it is operating on Prince Edward Island, if it is registered with the province of Prince Edward Island, and if it 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.

In order to be eligible to receive funding, your business/not for profit must not have already received funding during the current fiscal year (April 1st to March 31st).

Any projects that include construction or renovations must meet the Barrier Free Design requirements of the National Building Code. Additionally, your project must fall into at least one of the following categories; Built Environment and Accessibility Certification, Accessible Communication and Assistive Devices, and/or Capacity Building.

The maximum grant available per fiscal year is $50,000 per applicant.

In order to apply, you must speak with ResourceAbilities program staff about your proposed project and then complete the PEI Workforce Adaptation Fund Program Application, which you will receive from ResourceAbilities. Submit your application to ResourceAbilities by mail, in person or by email to the contact information outlined on the application..

Maybe, in cases where an employee requires an assistive device in order to perform their job, and the required device cannot be acquired through any other source such as private insurance or other community programs, it may be eligible for funding support from the PEI Adaption Fund.

No, you may apply in 3 categories if you have potential improvements under each. Grant amounts are limited to $50,000 per applicant per year.

Yes, elevators or wheelchair lifts are eligible. Permanent structures fall under the Built Environment category. Movable equipment falls under the Accessible Communication and Assistive Device category.

Yes, when three conditions are met: Membership can be purchased by the general public. The place of business is open at reasonable rates and reasonable times to the general public. There are no pre-existing conditions that exclude the general public.

Yes, as long as the business or not for profit organization meets the eligibility requirements and the construction meets the Barrier Free Design requirements and Accessible Standards Canada.

Funding is available to renovation projects when upgrades are designed to improve the accessibility of an environment for employees with disabilities and for individuals with disabilities who are accessing the goods or services provided at the establishment. Partial funding for new construction projects can be provided where the design/build exceeds the

national building code (minimum standards) required. Eligible expenses would include the cost differences between national building code (NBC) and Accessible Standards Canada (ASC).