Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Eligibility Criteria

• Businesses;
• Organizations;
• Individuals;
• Public health and educational institutions;
• Municipal governments;
• Band/Tribal councils;
• Provincial/territorial government departments and agencies if specifically approved by the Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.

To be eligible as a participant, an individual must:

• self-identify as having a disability;
• be unemployed;
• be legally entitled to work in Canada; and
• be in need of assistance to prepare for, find, or become employed or self-employed.

Note: Participants must not be eligible for assistance under the Employment Benefits provided by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission under Part II of the Employment Insurance Act or similar provincial or territorial programs that are subject to agreements with provinces, territories or organizations funded through Section 63 of the Employment Insurance Act.

Summary

Duration

Projects may be approved for a period of up to 52 weeks, but may be extended to a total of 78 weeks.

Financial Parameters

• Funding may be provided to cover costs such as participant wages or related employer costs;
• Funding may be provided to cover overhead costs related to planning, organizing, operating, delivering and evaluating approved activities, including costs such as staff wages and employment related costs. Eligible expenses will be negotiated with program officials.

How to apply?

• Organizations interested in submitting an application should contact their Service Canada Centre for an application kit.
• In many places, community-based organizations may provide specialized services and may have information available.

Brochures and other information can be obtained in alternative formats through TeleFlash by calling 1-888-844-4477 on a touch-tone phone or through teletypewriter (TTY/TDD) at 1-800-465-7735.

In Quebec, services are delivered through the Comité d'adaptation de la main d'oeuvre pour personnes handicapées (CAMO) .

Ontario Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/on.shtml