On Nov. 18, the province stated it is giving more than $800,000 to 37 organizations to “remove barriers and improve accessibility across Manitoba.”
The funding will come from the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF), which, according to its webpage, provides “one-time, project-based grants to help municipalities, non-profit organizations and businesses … remove barriers, create awareness and support compliance with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and its standards,”
To receive funding, projects must fulfill one of three objectives: raise awareness about the prevention and removal of barriers; develop tools, resources and training to support compliance; or remove barriers to “information and communication electronically, in print and in person,” states a news release.
“Our government is committed to making Manitoba more accessible for everyone, and I’m proud of the many groups across the province who have stepped up to join us in this work,” said Manitoba families minister Nahanni Fontaine. “The [MAF] helps to make sure a wide variety of organizations can take on a wide variety of projects to remove barriers and enhance access for the people they serve.”
Sara Stasiuk, president and CEO of The Forks North Portage Partnership, said her organization is grateful for the money.
The Forks, which will receive around $35,000 to help with a review of the accessibility of its summer and winter programming, is a group that supports the development of downtown Winnipeg.
“As an inclusive all-season gathering place, it’s our priority to ensure everyone can access and enjoy the amenities we work with the community to offer,” said Stasiuk. “Funds from the [MAF] grant will immediately go to work supporting The Forks’ accessibility audit.”
The news release notes that this is the third year the province has funded such projects through the MAF. Since its inception, the MAF has awarded nearly $2.5 million in funding.
A complete list of the 2024-25 recipients can be found on MAF’s webpage.
The MAF is managed by the Winnipeg Foundation and administered by Manitoba’s Department of Families.
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