Funding Options and Assistive Technology Resources
A Note on Language
In this toolkit, we will sometimes use the word woman/women and feminine pronouns for simplicity and to recognize the significant impact technology-facilitated violence has on women and girls. We recognize that TFGBV also impacts trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people. We hope that all people impacted by TFGBV will find these documents useful.
Not having adequate funding to ensure your shelter or transition house has the assistive technology needed to communicate with survivors with disabilities, has an accessible website, and is able to provide survivors with replacement assistive technology can be a barrier to providing inclusive support.
Provincial and national funding for assistive technology can be found through many resources such as those listed by Access AT Canada and Canadian Assistive Technology.
The following is a list of funding options and assistive technology resources currently available as of February 2024. Funding sources with hyperlinks are outlined below.
Funding Resources – Individuals
Canada-Wide
- Government of Canada Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
- Government of Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
- Disability-specific organizations – For example:
- Canadian Hard of Hearing Association – Canadian Hearing Aid Subsidies and Workers Compensation Guide (PDF)
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind – Various programs
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Multiple Sclerosis Canada – Quality of Life Grant (Equipment)
- Muscular Dystrophy Canada – Equipment Program
- Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
- Easter Seals Canada
- First Nations Bands – Many First Nations bands have a variety of funding opportunities for their communities
- March of Dimes Canada
- Neil Squire Society – Various programs, including Distance Computer Comfort and the AT HelpDesk / Centre de dépannage TA
- Service Clubs – Lions Club, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, Shriners Clubs, (individuals can submit a funding request)
- Tetra Society of North America
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- War Amps
British Columbia
- Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA)
- Province of British Columbia Medical Devices and Equipment
- WorkBC Assistive Technology Services
- First Nations Health Authority
- Technology for Living with Disabilities
Alberta
- Alberta Aids to Daily Living
- Alberta ICAN Centre for Assistive Technology
- Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) through Alberta Works Centre or Alberta Supports
- Information on other supports for people with disabilities in Alberta)
- Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living
- Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (EAPD) for Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
- Manitoba Assistive Technology
- Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (EAPD) for Manitoba
- Manitoba Possible – Employment Preparation Centre (EPC)
- Manitoba Possible – Assistive Technology
Ontario
- Ministry of Health – Assistive Devices Program Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP)
Quebéc
- Special Benefits Program
- Health and Technical Aids for People with Disabilities
- Programme ministerial des aides techniques a la communication (PMATCOM) – lends some AT equipment
- Training and Employment Support Services (TESS) - Employment Services
- Disability Support Program by Social Development
- Canadian Deaf-Blind Association – New Brunswick
- Vehicle Retrofit Program
- Disability Support Program – Workplace Support Program (technical aid & AT devices)
- Employment Support Services for people on income assistance
- AccessAbility Supports (previously called Disability Support Program)
- PEI Support for People with Disabilities
- Learning Disability Supports
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Adaptive Technology Assessments
- Work-Related Supports for Persons with Disabilities
- Coalition of Persons with Disabilities
- EmpowerNL
- Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society
- Government of Northwest Territories – Services for Persons with Disabilities
- Yukon – Health and Wellness – Care Services
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Yukon
Funding Resources – For Shelters and Transition Houses
Canada-Wide
- Government of Canada - Supports for business
- Government of Canada Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
- Government of Canada Enabling Accessibility Fund
- Government of Canada Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component
- Government of Canada – Find a Loan for Your Small Business
- Infrastructure Canada - Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program
- Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)
- Funding Digital Equity – Canadian Internet Registration Authority
- CN Rail - Stronger Communities Fund
- Desjardins GoodSpark Grants for Small Businesses in Canada
British Columbia
- Province of British Columbia – Funding and Grants Search
- Community Futures – Rural Business Loans
- Workplace Accessibility Grant – Small Business BC
- Province of Alberta - Small business resources
- Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association - Upcoming Grants and Funding
- Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Grants Online
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
- Province of Ontario – Funding Opportunities
- Province of Ontario - Age-friendly and accessibility grants
- Province of Ontario - Inclusive Community Grants
- Ontario Trillium Foundation – Community Investments Grant:
- Revenu Quebéc - Grants and Subsidies
- Government of New Brunswick - Financial Assistance for Businesses
Quebéc
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
- Grants Available to Nova Scotia Businesses
- Government of Prince Edward Island - Small Business Incentives
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Grants Available to Newfoundland and Labrador Businesses
- Business Development Support Program – Industry, Energy and Technology
- Government of Nunavut - Business Development
- Government of Northwest Territories – Funding Programs
- Government of Yukon – Funding and Supports for Business
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Yukon
Accessibility Resources, Assessments, and Services
Digital Accessibility
- Accessibility Services Canada
- Guidance on Implementing the Standard on Web Accessibility
- How to make websites accessible | ontario.ca
- OCAD Inclusive Design Research Centre - Accessibility Consulting
- Accessibrand – Creation of accessibility communication and marketing materials
- Allyant – Document accessibility, including PDFs
- Fable – Website testing by individuals with disabilities
- David Berman Communications
- Cantor Access
- Accessibility Checker - ADA & WCAG Compliance (Free Scan)
- Web Site Accessibility Testing Tools
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (With browser extensions add-ons for Firefox, Edge, and Chrome)
- Google Lighthouse – Automated website checker browser extension for Chrome
Physical Access/Environmental Accessibility
- Accessibility Services Canada
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - Find an OT
- Rick Hansen Foundation
- Taylored Accessibility
- Marnie Peters & Co
- Universal Design Network of Canada
- OCAD Inclusive Design Research Centre - Accessibility Consulting
- Left Turn Right Turn Ltd.
General Accessibility Practices
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is part of a continuum of violence that can be both online and in-person. If you or someone you know is experiencing TFGBV, you are not alone. You can use www.sheltersafe.ca to find a shelter/transition house near you to discuss options and create a safety plan. You don’t need to stay in a shelter to access free, confidential services and support.
We gratefully acknowledge the Neil Squire Society for the creation of this information sheet.