VANCOUVER – On Global Accessibility Awareness Day Thursday, the federal government awarded more than $3 million in funding to the Neil Squire Society to help reduce barriers to accessing technology and the Internet.
The funding is a part of the $22.3 million Accessible Technology Program, which provides support for the development of assistive and adaptive digital devices and technologies to help Canadians with disabilities take full advantage of technology.
Neil Squire Society pledged to develop and distribute switches, mouth-operated systems and mounting solutions for digital technologies to make computers, laptops and mobile devices more user-friendly for people with disabilities.
“This funding will enable us to continue to develop an open source assistive technology model across Canada that greatly reduces the cost of many assistive technologies”, said Neil Squire Society executive director Gary Birch, in the news release. “This model not only incorporates innovation in the actual technologies but also further develops an innovative model that efficiently delivers those assistive technologies to each individual, meeting their unique needs. Thank you for this important support that I believe will help significantly improve opportunities for Canadians with disabilities to participate more fully in all aspects of society.”
“Global Accessibility Awareness Day reminds us all that when everyone is included, all of Canada benefits”, added Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Kirsty Duncan. “That’s why I am proud that our government's funding and support are helping people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities and workplaces. I look forward to introducing new federal accessibility legislation this spring to help further break down barriers.”
For-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations and research institutes can still apply for funding under the Accessible Technology Program. The next calls for proposals close on June 2, 2018, and January 2, 2019.
