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Workplace Accessibility Grant

Grant Information Application Requirements How to Submit your Application

Please Note: Due to high demand for the Workplace Accessibility Grant, we have temporarily paused the processing of new applications to ensure we meet our service standards for existing applications. Our team is currently working to disburse program funding in the order in which applications were received. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Grant Information

The Workplace Accessibility Grant provides direct supports to small business employers in British Columbia by providing direct financial assistance towards creating an accessible work environment for persons with a disability(ies).

Eligible businesses can apply for funding for projects that improve workplace accessibility in the business, while addressing and removing barriers in your workplace for people with disabilities.

Businesses with projects that qualify for the grant are required to submit related expenses and proof of purchase of the product(s)/service(s) that were used for the project, which will be reimbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (ETF) once all application details are approved.

How the Program Works

  • Reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible businesses that demonstrate how their project improves accessibility for persons with disabilities in the workplace
  • Businesses will be able to claim reimbursement once the project has been reviewed and approved by our team and all expenses have been submitted and verified

Intake Period

  • The grant was administered beginning June 21, 2021 through March 31, 2024 on a first-come first-serve basis for businesses and projects that meet the required eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

Business Eligibility Criteria

  • This Grant Program is available for small businesses with less than 50 employees, including the business owner.
  • Businesses must be registered and licensed in British Columbia at the time of submission
  • Businesses will have to declare their general information, name of the business, owner, contact information, banking information (for an EFT of grant funds) and provide a detailed project description covering the item(s) and/or service(s) purchased, as well as a receipt(s) with proof and method of purchase, which will become part of their file.

Project Eligibility Criteria

In your application, you will be required to submit detailed information regarding your project. When submitting your project, you must clearly describe how your purchase improves accessibility for persons with disabilities in your business and the barrier(s) that are addressed and removed.

The grant can be used for the following (but not exclusively for) projects that address the following barriers:

  • Environment: ramps, lighting levels, accessible washrooms, adaptations to vehicles, etc.
  • Attitudes: anti-bias training
  • Practices: training to review and amend interview processes, ASL interpreting for new staff orientation, accessibility audit of workflow, etc.
  • Policies: funding for legal and consulting advice in revising policies.
  • Information and Communication: job task checklists in pictorial form, ASL version of policies, application forms accessible to screen readers, reprinting hardcopies of material in large font, Braille versions of documents, update web pages for accessibility, etc.
  • Technologies: purchasing software that enables production of accessible documents, flashing fire alarms for deaf employees, specialized headsets, tablet for communication, laptops for remote working, specialized tools, etc.

Find the list of eligible covered services by type of barriers addressed here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Small Business BC is your main point of contact. Please connect with them Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-775-5525
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-800-667-2272
TTY (Teletypewriter): 1-800-457-8466

The grant can be used for the following (but not exclusively for):

– Environment: ramps, lighting levels, accessible washrooms, adaptions to vehicles, etc.

– Attitudes: anti-bias training

– Practices: training to review and amend interview processes, ASL interpreting for new staff orientation, accessibility audit of workflow, etc.

– Policies: funding for legal and consulting advice in revising policies.

– Information and Communication: job task checklists in pictorial form, ASL version of policies, application forms accessible to screen readers, reprinting hardcopies of material in large font, Braille versions of documents, update web-pages for accessibility, etc.

– Technologies: purchasing software that enables production of accessible documents, flashing fire alarms for Deaf employees, specialized headsets, tablet for communication, laptop to allow some one to work from home, specialized tools, etc.

Find the full list of eligible covered services by type of barriers addressed here.

Small Business BC does not rank or endorse particular providers over another. Thank you for your understanding.

No. A product or service provider cannot apply for the grant on your behalf. Applicants will be required to provide an attestation and upload documents, so we do not accept third-party applications to protect your privacy and security.

The Workplace Accessibility Grant was scheduled to run through March 31, 2024 or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.

The $5,000 includes any applicable taxes. Any amount over $5,000 is to be covered by the business.

Your receipt should include the following:

– Date(s) of Purchase (not earlier than April 1, 2021)

– Item(s) purchased – it should be clear from the receipt what has been purchased toward approved products and services under this grant

– Retailer/Seller Name/Address

– Amount of Purchase (Total covered services may be greater than $5,000, however, reimbursement will only be for up-to $5,000)

– Retailer/Seller GST and/or PST numbers on receipt, method (EFT transfer, cheque or credit card) and proof of payment

Please Note: Receipts paid by cash are not an accepted payment method as there is no way to verify the payment has been made.

Unfortunately, we will not be processing applications for purchases made before this cut-off date.

No, however, verification of your submitted application will be completed before payment.

Yes you can. If your existing application is already closed, you will need to create a new application.

Unfortunately, Small Business BC does not provide a list of service providers for this grant as we cannot endorse one provider over another.

Register for the grant here

A BC Business Registration number is not your federal tax identification. BC Business Registration Numbers will most often begin with the letters BC, FM, CP, XCP, LP, LL, LLC, A, C or S followed by 7 numerical digits (eg. FM1234567).

To verify if you have a valid BC Business Registration Number, please utilize OrgBook and search for your organization. OrgBook BC is a searchable public directory of open verifiable data about organizations legally registered in BC. Your business will need to operate in BC and have a valid BC Business registration number for the grant to be paid out.

No, grants will not be provided on items/services that have not yet been purchased. For final payment, a receipt will be required for the good/service. In addition, verification that your business legally conducts business in BC via verified BC Business Registration number will be required.

If you have details regarding your project, but you have not paid for it yet, you can save your application and submit the receipt once it is available.

Within the application form, you will have the opportunity to upload an image or .pdf of your receipt. If you do not have a receipt (i.e. you have not made the purchase yet), you can save and return your application at a different time.

We process your payment through electronic funds transfer (EFT) via SparcPay, a division of Sparcblock. In order to finalize your payment, we require electronic funds transfer (EFT) details of the business bank account associated with your business in your BC registered business name that you applied for the grant under. You will be required to upload a photo (.jpg) or electronic .pdf form of a void cheque that matches the business details that you previously submitted. Funds will not be deposited to personal bank accounts of individuals.

NOTE: If you are already registered in SparcPay and have received funds from Small Business BC electronically (through previous grant programs or other), you do not have to register a new account.

Small Business BC will use the banking information provided by each business to electronically transfer funds within 45 business days from submission and approval of invoice based on business volumes. In order to deposit your payment, ensure that you have registered for EFT with a SparcPay account.

Find more information about Accessibility Legislation in BC at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/accessibility/legislation

We respectfully acknowledge our place of work is within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and that we serve the Peoples of the many Nations throughout British Columbia.