An employee of the Shanty Café in Yarmouth

Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program

Businesses can apply for a cost-shared grant to make accessibility-related improvements. Improvements can be for clients and customers, for employees, or both.

Five categories of funding

Built Environment:

Removing physical barriers for persons to access business services, by installing ramps, accessible washrooms, door openers, and other projects.

Accessible Communications Services:

Ensuring that all customers, clients, and employees can access information related to a business.

Assistive Devices:

Ensuring that employees and consumers who are person with disabilities have the devices they need to effectively do their jobs and access places of business.

Universal Design Capacity Building:

Training in the field of Universal Design, both for technical services professionals and for persons with disabilities wishing to better understand its value.

Accessible Transportation:

Providing support for businesses to improve access to transportation services. 

Apply for 2023 - 2024

The Business ACCESS-Ability program deadline for 2023-2024 fiscal year is 14 February 2023.

When applying, keep in mind:

  • maximum grant amounts available per year is $100,000 over multiple categories, per applicant
  • features and improvements required by law, legislation or the Nova Scotia Building code are not eligible
  • only recognized educational institutions or organizations that deliver training and educational services targeted at the business community are eligible for the Universal Design Capacity funding category
  • funding available for Accessible Transportation projects are limited to up to 2/3 of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $20,000
  • please ensure requested documentation is included in your application to prevent delays in processing 

 

Downloads

Program guidelines (PDF)

Program application (PDF)

The Business ACCESS-Ability Program furthers the Province of Nova Scotia’s commitment to equal opportunity and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.

2020 - 2021 Recipients

View 2020-2021 grant recipients list