National AccessAbility Week Funding 2027-2029: $3.6 Million Available for Community Projects
National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) takes place every year starting on the last Sunday in May. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and recognize the efforts of those working to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion .
Now, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has launched a major funding opportunity to support NAAW activities for 2027, 2028, and 2029. If your organization promotes disability inclusion, this call for proposals under the Accessible Canada Fund could provide significant multi-year support.
Here is everything you need to know about eligibility, funding amounts, priorities, and how to apply before the July 28, 2026 deadline.
What Is This Funding Opportunity?
This is a Call for Proposals (CFP) under the Accessible Canada Fund – National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) stream . It is designed to fund projects that promote the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations through NAAW activities delivered in 2027, 2028, and 2029 .
The goal is to fund projects that:
- Highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities
- Raise awareness and promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces across Canada
Previous funded projects have included awareness campaigns, workshops, community events, and training programs focused on disability inclusion .
How Much Funding Is Available?
The government has allocated up to $3.6 million in grant funding to support approximately 10 to 20 three-year projects .
There are two funding tiers:
| Funding Tier | Maximum Amount | Additional Requirements |
| Tier 1 | Up to $180,000 over three years | Scalable NAAW projects |
| Tier 2 | Up to $360,000 over three years | Regional or national scope + partnerships with diverse disability groups |
Project Duration: Projects must be no longer than 3 years, with a proposed start date of February 1, 2027, and an end date of February 1, 2030 .
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include :
- Not-for-profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities in the community
- Educational institutions (in partnership with disability organizations)
- Health and social services institutions (in partnership with disability organizations)
- Municipalities (in partnership with disability organizations)
- Indigenous organizations, including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities
Important Partnership Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate partnership with one or more disability organizations. The partner(s) must have a leadership role in the overall project design and delivery of activities. Letters of support from implicated partners must be provided at the time of agreement .
Indigenous Organizations Exemption
Indigenous organizations are exempt from the additional eligibility requirements that apply to Tier 2 funding (regional/national scope and partnerships) .
Funding Priorities: What Gets Bonus Points?
ESDC will give additional points and prioritize projects that :
- Include plans for the participation of persons with disabilities in the overall project design and delivery of activities
- Support NAAW activities within underrepresented communities, including:
- Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs)
- 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
- Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit)
- Equity-deserving communities
- Black and other visible minority groups
- Align with key priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations
Additional Considerations
When assessing applications, ESDC may also consider :
- Geographical coverage across Canada
- Support for Official Languages (bilingual documents and services)
- Accessible and inclusive services
- Multi-sectoral partnerships (academia, retail, health, financial sectors)
- Partnerships among diverse groups within the disability community
Eligible Activities by Priority Area
Below are the key priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act, along with example activities that align with each :
| Priority Area | Example Activities |
| Employment | Workshops on inclusive hiring practices paired with job fairs connecting diverse talent with accessible employers |
| Built Environment | Community seminars on innovative housing designs to drive improvements in housing accessibility |
| Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) | Campaigns raising awareness of accessible digital content, websites, and applications |
| Communication (non-ICT) | Interactive training simulations on evacuation procedures delivered by persons with disabilities |
| Procurement | Toolkits on best practices for incorporating accessibility into purchasing decisions |
| Programs and Services | National conferences highlighting best practices for accessible service delivery |
| Transportation | Community panels evaluating local transportation accessibility initiatives |
| Indigenous accessibility | Storytelling events in Indigenous communities focused on accessibility experiences and barriers |
Expected Results and Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants must deliver the following :
Outputs (What You Will Produce)
- Deliver NAAW activities during NAAW 2027, NAAW 2028, and NAAW 2029
- Produce project summaries, including success stories and testimonials demonstrating impact
- Produce two interim reports and one final report using ESDC templates and indicators
- Participate in ESDC-hosted knowledge sharing events to highlight best practices
Outcomes (What You Will Achieve)
- Persons with disabilities are supported to participate in implementing the Accessible Canada Act
- Increased awareness of accessibility and disability inclusion in Canada
- Improved understanding among Canadians about accessibility and disability inclusion issues
- Reduced stigma and attitudinal barriers towards persons with disabilities
- Increased knowledge within the disability community about best practices
- Increased scale and impact of activities over the three years (engaging more people, strengthening capacity, building partnerships)
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the Complete CFP
Read the full Call for Proposals document carefully. Pay special attention to the eligibility requirements, partnership conditions, and reporting expectations.
Step 2: Register for an Information Session (Recommended)
ESDC is hosting virtual information sessions to provide an overview of the application process. Sessions are accessible with :
- Sign language interpretation
- Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)
To register, click the appropriate link for your preferred date and language. If you require accommodation to participate, email EDSC.AC.NAAW-SNA.CA.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca at least 10 business days prior to the session .
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
You will need to demonstrate:
- Alignment with CFP objectives
- Plans to scale your project over three years
- Meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in project design and delivery
- Partnership with disability organizations (with letters of support)
- For Tier 2: regional/national scope and diverse partnerships
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
External Deadline: July 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM (EDT)
Submit your application through the designated ESDC portal.
READ FULL CALL FOR PROPOSAL HERE
Key Dates Summary
| Event | Date |
| Call for Proposals opens | June 2026 |
| Information sessions | June – July 2026 |
| Application deadline | July 28, 2026 (3:00 PM EDT) |
| Project start date | February 1, 2027 |
| Project end date | February 1, 2030 |
| NAAW 2027 | Late May 2027 |
| NAAW 2028 | Late May 2028 |
| NAAW 2029 | Late May 2029 |
Important Note: Not to Be Confused with Provincial Grants
This federal funding opportunity is separate from provincial accessibility grant programs. For example, Disability Alliance BC is running a separate provincial grant program offering up to $40,000 for accessibility projects in British Columbia, with applications opening August 5, 2026 .
Make sure you are applying to the correct program for your needs.
Contact Information
For questions about this federal NAAW funding opportunity:
- Email: EDSC.AC.NAAW-SNA.CA.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
- For accommodation requests for information sessions: Same email, at least 10 business days in advance
Final Advice
With $3.6 million available for approximately 10-20 projects over three years, this is a substantial funding opportunity for organizations committed to accessibility and disability inclusion.
To strengthen your application:
- Partner early – Secure letters of support from disability organizations
- Involve persons with disabilities in your project design from the start
- Plan for scale – Show how your activities will grow and reach more people each year
- Address underrepresented communities – Demonstrate how you will reach diverse groups
- Attend an information session – Get clarity on the application requirements
The deadline is July 28, 2026 – start preparing your application today.
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