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Committee urged to suggest local project to attract Inclusive Community Grants

Purpose of the grants program is to help communities become more age-friendly
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Elliot Lake's Community Development Officer Amanda Roy is asking members of the City's Accessibilty Advisory Committee to suggest a local project eligible for funding under the Ontario government's inclusive communities accessible environments protocols.

Her call is for a project that coincides with Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility’s Advancing Accessibility in Ontario framework which aims to make the province more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Roy is set to explain the program and suggestions for a local project to members of Elliot Lake Accessibility Advisory Committee at a special committee meeting Wednesday afternoon at Collins Hall.

The program focuses on four key areas, including:

  • Breaking down barriers in the built environment 
  • Government leading by example 
  • Increasing participation in the economy for people with disabilities 
  • Improving understanding and awareness about accessibility inclusive communities that are also Age-Friendly Communities (AFC). 

The Inclusive Community Grants (ICG) program will offer a total of up to $2 million (maximum of $60,000 per successful applicant) over two years for projects that take place between February 2021 and March 2022. 

The purpose of ICG is to help communities become age-friendly by ensuring that the needs of Ontarians of all ages and abilities are considered at every stage of community planning and development.

The deadline for the ICG program application is Dec. 21, 2020. 

Based on those criteria, Roy wrote, "A few suggestions for projects based on ideas from the Accessibility Advisory Committee and requirements from the draft 2020-2025 City of Elliot Lake Multi-Year Accessibility Plan are: 

  • Accessible Walkway - Spruce Beach to Board Walk 
  • Enhance existing sidewalk accessibility through the identification and construction of accessible features, such as curb cuts, curb drops and missing building links to sidewalks or pathways 
  • Include accessible on-street parking spaces as part of new roadway construction or the redevelopment of roadways 
  • Retrofit and enhance existing pathways and networks in parks, to provide recreational and social opportunities for all 
  • Upgrade existing outdoor eating areas to become accessible, including accessible picnic tables, pathways, etc." 

She continued, "Grants of up to a maximum of $60,000 each will support up to 100 percent of the total eligible project costs."

The Elliot Lake Draft project budget is to be determined. 

Priority will be given to projects that target small urban/rural communities. Priority will also be given to innovative projects designed to respond to the emerging needs of older adults, including those with disabilities, in a changing environment resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Roy concludes, "It is suggested that the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend to Council a project that aligns with the draft 2020-2025 City of Elliot Lake Multi-Year Accessibility Plan."

The committee meeting is being held at 5:00 pm Wednesday at Collins Hall.



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About the Author: Brent Sleightholm

As a reporter, Brent has covered everything from amateur and professional sports, to politics, entertainment, police and courts, to human interest stories and government issues
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