In 2026, both the federal and provincial governments in Canada offer several programs aimed at supporting employers who hire individuals with disabilities. These initiatives not only help businesses meet their accessibility obligations but also provide resources to support a diverse workforce.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, managed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), offers financial assistance to both employers and individuals. For employers, this fund can cover wage subsidies and training costs associated with hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Applications must be made through ESDC service providers rather than directly from the employer. To learn more about eligibility criteria and application processes, visit the official ESDC website.
The Employment Ontario program offers supported employment services to help match employers with job seekers who have developmental disabilities. While this is not a cash grant, it provides ongoing support to both the employer and employee throughout their working relationship. For more information on how to access these services, contact your local Employment Ontario provider.
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), all businesses in Ontario must comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). The obligations vary based on the size of the organization:
The EnAbling Change program is administered by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and provides grants to industry associations and organizations, not individual businesses. The goal is to create accessible resources, tools, and training materials that align with AODA requirements. To find out more about this program and how it can benefit your organization through partnerships or collaborations, visit the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario website.
It's important to note that there is no direct grant available for individual businesses to retrofit buildings specifically for AODA compliance. However, accessibility retrofits may qualify under the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program if they involve innovative solutions. For non-profit organizations, the federal Building Accessibility Fund can provide financial assistance for accessibility improvements.
For more detailed information on these programs and other resources available to support your business in meeting its disability employment and accessibility obligations, consult the official government websites provided above.
Not directly. The EnAbling Change Program funds industry associations and non-profits to create accessibility resources — individual businesses cannot apply. For physical retrofits, the federal Building Accessibility Fund exists for non-profits and public-sector organizations, not private businesses. Some commercial retrofits may qualify for SR&ED tax credits if they involve novel technical solutions.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (administered by Employment and Social Development Canada) provides funding through ESDC service providers for wage subsidies, job coaching, workplace modifications, and training. You access this through a local ESDC service provider — search canada.ca for 'Opportunities Fund service providers' in your region.
Small businesses (1-49 employees) must comply with accessible customer service standards, provide accessible formats on request, and meet basic employment accessibility requirements. You are exempt from some technical requirements like formal multi-year accessibility plans. Large organizations (50+) have broader obligations including public accessibility plans and reporting.
There is no Ontario grant specifically for this for private businesses. The federal Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) does fund capital projects for accessibility — but primarily for community organizations, non-profits, and small businesses in specific project categories. Check canada.ca for current EAF intake periods. Federal labour market agreements also fund some workplace modifications through Employment Ontario service providers.
EnAbling Change is an Ontario government grant program for industry associations, professional bodies, and sector organizations (not individual businesses) to develop AODA compliance tools, training programs, and resources for their members. Annual intake through the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario. Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $200,000. Individual businesses are not eligible to apply directly.