Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program
This program offers cost-shared grants to business for accessibility related improvements. Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create welcoming environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities.
Offered by Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Amount
Up to $50,000
Up to 2/3 of accessibility improvements and up to $50,000; maximum grant amount available per year is $50,000 per applicant
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
- Your business operates in Nova Scotia.
- Your business is registered as a for-profit entity with the Nova Scotia Registry of
Joint Stocks, including locally owned franchises.
- Your business is open for use by all community members at reasonable rates and
reasonable times and not reserved to those belonging by way of a closed membership or other means.
- Features and improvements required by law or legislation * Except for restaurants
required to comply with the human rights decision of 2019 to have wheelchair accessible washrooms*
Leased premises: Funding applications for improvements to leased premises are considered when the lease period extends to at least five years beyond the date the application is submitted.
Fiscal year: Your business has not been approved for business accessibility funding yet this fiscal year—our fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.
Not eligible:
Ineligible Businesses
Businesses not registered with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks
Franchises, unless locally owned
Residential rental properties
Businesses considered closed to the public, for members only
Not-for-profit agencies and municipalities — See the Community ACCESS-Ability Program
About the funding
We pay up to 2/3 of accessibility improvements and up to $50,000
Built Environment and Accessibility Certification – Ramps, Accessible bathrooms, Automatic door openers, Accessible parking and pathways, etc
Accessible Communication and Information – Accessible web design, Accessible signage, Assistive technologies, etc
Assistive Devices – Movable equipment, Page turners, Adaptive switches, Voice recognition programs, etc
Show all funding details
Accessible Transportation – Converting or purchasing a wheelchair accessible shuttle service vehicle, etc
Universal Design Capacity Building – Trainer fees, Resources, Hosting costs, Promotion, etc
The requested amount can be no more than 2/3 of total estimated project cost and the request can be no more than $50,000
Risks of spending before approval: If you incur project expenses before getting official approval, you assume the risk of those costs not being approved
In-kind contributions: Applicants may use in-kind (donated) materials, labour, and equipment as part of their contribution
For unskilled volunteer labour, applicants must use a recognized industry standard, to a maximum of $20/hour
For skilled labour and professional services, applicants may use contractor’s or professional’s commercial rates
Required features as per the Nova Scotia building code are not eligible expenses under this program except for restaurants opening in a space that previously operated as a restaurant within the past 2 years
Costs for features that exceed the building code may be eligible expenses, such as installing visual fire alarms or wheelchair lifts
Other government grants: Grants from other government sources must be declared and may affect the amount of grant awarded
Overall grant limit: The maximum grant amount available per year is $50,000 per applicant
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Development Fund: Conservation Advice Grants | Grant | Up to $5,000 | Open |
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
| Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program | Grant, Loan | AAFC contribution normally not exceeding $1 million per project, generally not more than $5 million over 5 years for each applicant | Open |
| Commemorative Partnership Program: Community War Memorial | Grant | Up to 50% of eligible expenditures, not exceeding a maximum of $25,000 (up to 100% of eligible expenditures, to a maximum of $50,000, for war memorial projects in Indigenous communities) | Open |
