VICTORIA – New Democrat MLAs Grace Lore and Rob Fleming say that funding through B.C.’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction will increase accessibility, allowing more people to participate fully in their community.

“Everyone in our province deserves the opportunity to participate in community equally, fully, and with dignity,” said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill. “I am grateful for these organizations and the work they do to make all aspects of life accessible to all in our community”

“Having equal access to opportunities is vital for people with disabilities to thrive,” said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “Here in Victoria, and across the province, local organizations are making our communities more accessible so we can all build a stronger B.C. together.”

In Victoria, over $150,000 in funding has been awarded in total to the Belfry Theatre Society, Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network, the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition, and the Victoria Society for Blind Arts and Culture. They are some of the 15 recipients across the province receiving grants to enhance inclusion for people with disabilities in areas like employment, emergency planning and response, arts, culture and tourism, sports and recreation, education and learning, and community participation.

This is the fourth year in a row that the New Democrat government has made grants available to not-for-profits to build a more inclusive society, and over the last three years, 44 community projects have been funded. This year’s funding total is over $450,000.

The grants are evaluated by Disability Alliance BC in partnership with the B.C. Government.

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021SDPR0069-002298