Access Support

Access Support is a contribution towards expenses associated with Deaf and disability-related supports and services required by the applicant, artistic team and any invited participants to carry out the funded activities laid out in an associated funding application.

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 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.

To access Access Support, fill out your Self-ID form or the Strategic Group Information form in the portal. The profiles relevant to your account or funding opportunity (in this case, the Access Support profile) will be displayed in your account, application or nomination. You can also follow the step-by-step guide on how to apply for Access Support in the portal: Applying for Access Support.

Please note that the associated funding application must be successful for the Access Support request to be assessed.

You can apply under the Micro-grants funding opportunity to meet your personal access needs related to participating in an activity for which you are not receiving funding from the Canada Council. This could include activities such as an art fair, a conference or a workshop for which you don’t have other expenses.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Sign language interpretation required by the applicant, artistic team and invited participants—up to $75 to $100 per hour or $500 to $750 per day. Use the Budget Notes to provide the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours or the daily rate multiplied by the number of days and by the number of sign language interpreters
• Disability-related service provider (personal care attendant, sighted guide or visual assistance, or other disability-related support)—up to $25 to $35 per hour or $120 to 250 per day. Use the Budget Notes to provide the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours or the daily rate multiplied by the number of days. Provide a breakdown for each service provider
• Travel expenses for sign language interpreters and disability service providers to travel with the applicant. The travel distance must be at least 50 km outside the applicant’s local area
• Note taking, writing and editing for personal access and support—up to $40 to $60 per hour. Use the Budget Notes to provide the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours
• Personal project coordinator or assistant, or administrative support—up to $25 to $35 per hour. Use the Budget Notes to provide the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours
• Converting material into accessible formats for personal access and support. Use the Budget Notes to provide a cost breakdown
• The rental of specialized equipment or subscription to services needed for personal access or support (video chatting subscriptions, text-to-speech software, note-taking software, etc.). Use the Budget Notes to provide a cost breakdown (rental rates and time period)

Ineligible expenses

Your Access Support budget must not include:

• Expenses already eligible in your associated funding application, such as studio rental, travel and accommodation for the applicant, artistic team and invited participants, childcare, elder care, etc.
• Major capital costs (the purchase of a wheelchair, vehicle, computer, renovations, etc.)
• Daily living costs (rent, local travel, food, etc.)
• Per diems for sign language interpreters and disability service providers 
• Travel costs for distances under 50 km for sign language interpreters and disability service providers
• Physical and massage therapy
• Consulting or advisory services beyond direct support with tasks
• Services and supports:
• required for daily living (home care, regular therapy, medication, etc.)
• that are not directly tied to your funded activities
• that are already funded by the Canada Council
• for which you are already receiving funding from another agency
• Expenses incurred before your associated funding application start date, or after the submission of your final report