Community-led engagement sessions

This call for proposals was for funding to support engagement on the draft accessibility standards.  

Indigenous organizations and partners, community organizations, or organizations representing an equity group could apply for funding to host small group roundtable using a provided conversation toolkit. All applications were welcomed, with priority to organizations serving rural and remote regions and priority populations. 

Background

From May 31 to July 31, 2024, individuals and organizations in British Columbia are invited to provide input on initial draft recommendations for new accessibility standards. The standards are meant to identify and remove barriers to accessing employment and accessing services from provincially regulated organizations. This feedback will help shape the recommended accessibility standards that will be sent to the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR) in 2025. The standards will also inform future accessibility regulations in B.C. 

Maximum allowable funding

The maximum amount available for the community led small group public engagement sessions was $2,500.  

The level of funding within the maximum allotment will depend on several factors, such as: 

• Amount requested 
• Number of people and/or communities being engaged 
• Number and/or breadth of the engagement activities 

Funding could be spent on a range of expenses related to the engagement including food and honoraria, transportation or care costs for participants, staff time, or costs for accessibility supports such as captioning. 

Eligible costs

• Food for participants
• Participant honoraria
• Transportation costs for participants
• Childcare for participants
• Wellness support
• Venue bookings
• Organizational staff time required to coordinate and facilitate the roundtables
• Interpretation or translation services (e.g., ASL, CART, etc.)
• Reasonable wages/staff time and administration costs

Non-eligible costs

• Salaries and fees not directly related to delivering the project
• Fundraising beyond project cost-recovery
• Capital projects
• Major equipment purchases
• Alcohol
• Recurring business expenses, such as: utilities, insurance, rent, payroll expenses etc
• Rental of office space
• Utility, telephone, and other recurring expenses

General considerations for proposal submission 

Funding was available for engagement activities taking place between May 31 and July 31, 2024.  

Funding applications were reviewed and accepted until funds were expended. Each proposal was assessed independently, and funding was allocated based on the number of sessions proposed, expected number of participants and accommodations required.   

If you were unable to submit a proposal for funding but still wish to participate in the engagement process, please send your feedback through a written submission on the draft recommendations by email to EngageAccessibility@gov.bc.ca. You may also submit feedback during the engagement period through a questionnaire on our engagement webpage. 

Proposal requirements

All proposals must include: 

• A completed application form 
• The scope of engagement (how many people, groups, or organizations will be included in your activities) 
• Budgeted expenditures that link to planned activities 
• A commitment to clear outcomes/deliverables, including a report or summary of findings that includes feedback from participants that will contribute to draft accessibility recommendations   

Deadline

The deadline to submit a proposal was extended to July 15, 2024.