Access Support
Strategic Funds
Access Support funds individual applicants who self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness, as well as groups and organizations that dedicate the majority of their resources towards supporting these communities. This supplementary grant provides a contribution towards costs for specific services and supports required to carry out a project funded through a Canada Council program (from this point on referred to as the associated grant).
Access Support responds to the financial disadvantages that many Deaf or disabled artists routinely experience in creating, producing and disseminating art. Funds are available as a supplement to an awarded grant and provided to recipients who identify specific disability-related supports that are needed to carry out their proposed activities. The supplement may not cover all of these costs but may be a contribution towards these types of expenses. Access support must be linked directly to the project activities; it does not fund daily living expenses
You are encouraged to speak with the program responsible for your associated grant application before submitting an application for Access Support.
If you are an individual or group applicant who is eligible for Access Support, you are also eligible for Application Assistance to pay someone to help you with the application process if you are experiencing difficulty.
Who can receive Access Support?
Individuals must:
- self-identify in the portal as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness
- be eligible to Canada Council programs
Groups and organizations must:
- have a validated profile as a group or organization with a mandate to support artists who are Deaf, have disabilities or live with mental illness
- dedicate the majority (51% or more) of their activities, artistic content and financial and human resources towards supporting these artistic communities
- be eligible to Canada Council programs
Eligible and ineligible expenses
A contribution towards costs associated with disability-related supports and services required to carry out your activities, including (but not limited to):
- sign language interpretation
- personal care attendant or support worker
- a transcriber or specialized editor
- personal project coordinator or assistant
- a guide or visual describer
- converting material into accessible formats
- rental of specialized equipment needed for personal access or support
Ineligible expenses include:
- major capital costs (e.g. purchase of a wheelchair, vehicle, computer, renovations, etc.)
- supports and services required for daily living (e.g. home care, regular therapy, medication etc.)
- services and supports that are not directly tied to your funded activities
- services and supports already funded by the Canada Council
- services and supports for which you are already receiving funding from another agency
- expenses incurred before submission of your Access Support application or after the submission of your final report
Standard rates for disability specific services and supports can vary depending upon the region and type of support. The following is used as a general guide.
- Attendant Services/Support Worker – $20-35/hr; $120-250 daily rate (travel costs are eligible, per diems are not)
- Sign Language Interpretation – $75-100/hr (travel costs are eligible, per diems are not)
- Transcription Services/readers - $40-60/hr
Apply on the portal
Create an account and submit one or more profile(s) for validation at least 30 days before you want to apply
Deadline and Grant Amount
Consult the Deadlines and Notification of Results page
The amount of the Access Support is determined by Canada Council staff