Accessible Technology Program – Applicant Guide

Introduction

This applicant guide was prepared to assist in the completion of an application for the Accessible Technology Program (ATP). Prior to starting your application, it is recommended that you first read this applicant guide to ensure a clear understanding of the ATP's objectives and eligibility criteria. To be considered for funding, applications must provide all the required information, as stated in this applicant guide.

For questions about this call for proposals, please contact ic.at-dta.ic@ised-isde.gc.ca.

How to apply

Please visit the How to apply webpage to access all documentation to apply for funding.

We strongly encourage you to submit your application form via the submit button which can be found at the end of the application form.

The deadline to submit an application is December 9 by 11:59:59 p.m. EST. Applications must be submitted electronically via the submit button, by email at ic.at-dta.ic@ised-isde.gc.ca. or by mail. An acknowledgement email confirming receipt of an application will be sent. If submitting by mail, please identify an email address where the confirmation of receipt may be sent. Applicants are encouraged to keep this confirmation for their records.

Applications submitted by email should include the following subject line:

APPLICATION 2022– Accessible Technology Program – Enter your organization name (Enter your project title)

Organizations located and operating in the province of Québec

If we accept your proposed project, you might need to get approval from the Government of Québec before you can accept our funding.

• Consult the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif
• Consult the approval and authorization process.
• Consult : "Which agencies are covered by Act M-30?"

What to submit

When submitting your application, include the following documents. Documents should be saved with a descriptive title and added to the application by selecting the Add Attachments button in the applicable question.

• ATP Application Form
• ATP Budget Workbook
• Proof of your organization's legal status (i.e., Letter of corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada)
• Financial statements for the last two years (audited preferred)
• Signed Attestation and Signing Authority for the Application of Funding form
• Letters of support
• Market research reports (if applicable)

More questions?

This Applicant Guide was developed to assist in the completion of the Application Form and the ATP Budget Workbook. If you have further questions, we invite you to check the Frequently asked questions section of our web site. For general questions and comments, please contact the Accessible Technology Program team. Please note that the Department of Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada will not be assisting applicants in the development of their applications.

Telephone (toll-free in Canada):

1-800-328-6189

Telephone (Ottawa):

613-954-5031

Fax:

343-291-1913

TTY (for hearing-impaired):

1-866-694-8389

By email:

ic.at-dta.ic@ised-isde.gc.ca

Business hours:

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

By mail:

Accessible Technology Program
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street, 1st floor, West Tower
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
Canada

1. Program overview

The Department of Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has launched the second phase of the Accessible Technology Program. The government of Canada is investing $5.8 million, with funding available for Accessible Technology Program recipients in 2023-2024, to co-fund innovative projects led by for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and research institutes to develop assistive devices and technologies for Canadians with disabilities.

Assistive devices and accessible technology solutions include both hardware and software solutions that address barriers faced by persons with disabilities to accessing and navigating the Internet and online services.

Barriers affect a person with a disability differently depending on the category and the severity of the disability. The ATP application form includes a list of categories of disabilities used by Statistics Canada. A category of technology solution is also included in the application. Your project may be placed in more than one of these categories, please select all that apply.

Access Device/ Technology: These are technological solutions that enable access to a connected device, enable control of the applications on the connected device, and accurate, efficient input to these applications by a person with a disability.

Interpretive Tool: These are technological solutions that interpret the input to or the output from a connected device to accommodate the capacities of a person with a disability.

Online Content Tool: These are technological solutions aimed at adapting the online environment to the realities of persons living with a disability.

2. Program objectives

The Program seeks to expand the development of assistive technologies by providing funding to eligible recipients, and to support access to and adoption of new solutions developed by recipients through the Program.

The Accessible Technology Program's objectives are as follows:

1. support the development of assistive technologies in order to increase accessibility to the Internet and increase participation in the digital economy; and
2. work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve awareness and support for the community of Canadians with disabilities.

The projects funded under the ATP will be expected to achieve the following outcomes:

• New technologies are developed to improve access to the digital economy for persons with disabilities;
• Technology developed with support from the Program is commercially available in the long-term;
• Affordable solutions are developed so that they are financially accessible to Canadians with disabilities;
• Enhancement of employability and marketability of Canadians with disabilities through the development of technologies specifically targeted to enable them to actively participate in the digital and knowledge-based economy; and
• Development of a network of partners, including not-for-profit organizations, research institutes, federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, the private sector and the voluntary sector throughout the country.

3. Project duration

Your project must be completed between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

When completing the application form, the start date of your project cannot be earlier than April 1, 2023. Note that the start date will be confirmed once projects receive Ministerial approval. The signing of the Contribution Agreements will follow after the Ministerial decisions.

4. Type of funding available

The government of Canada is investing $5.8 million, with funding available for Accessible Technology Program recipients in 2023-2024. The level of funding provided will depend on an assessment of the proposal and the availability of program funds.

5. Eligible recipients

Eligible recipients are Canadian legal entities, including:

• For-profit organizations;
• Not-for-profit organizations; and
• Research institutes.^{Footnote 1}

Proof of incorporation should include a business number, article of incorporation and/or charitable registration number is required.

6. Eligible activities

Eligible activities include one of the following:

• Developing and testing assistive technologies to assist Canadians with disabilities to better participate in the digital economy.
• Repairing, retrofitting, and improving assistive technologies to help Canadians with disabilities access the digital economy.

In addition:

• Activities aimed at promoting awareness of new assistive technologies developed through the program, such as workshops and events open to the public;
• Collaborations that support the development and implementation of assistive technologies.

7. Eligibility criteria

Your proposal will be first assessed based on the following eligibility criteria:

• Your proposed solution serves the needs of persons with disabilities;
• Your project will develop a new solution to improve access to the internet and the digital economy;
• The requested funding is a minimum of $75,000 and does not exceed $1.5 million in overall ISED funding;
• The cash and/or in-kind contributions by other sources must be sufficient for the maximum cost-sharing ratio;
• Your proposal must clearly demonstrate that your solution is on a path to implementation and/or commercialization by March 31, 2024.

8. Merit criteria

Merit criteria will be used to establish a priority ranking of eligible applicants.

The following criteria will be taken into consideration:

Need

The extent to which the application demonstrates that research has been done ensuring there is a need in the marketplace for technology being proposed.

Distribution

The extent to which the application demonstrates that the proposed technology will reach Canadians with disabilities.

Affordability

The proposed solutions to be developed through the project are cost-effective, affordable and can be widely accessed by the target population.

Budget

Total project costs (including consideration of total requested program funding as a percentage of total project costs) are justified by the overall benefits for the target group outlined in the application.

Project Management

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the administrative capability to manage the project; a risk analysis, including mitigation measures; and a proven track record.

Strategic Collaboration

The extent to which the application demonstrates effective collaboration between different types of eligible recipients; the project incorporates inclusive design principles; the proposal includes information on any contributors/partners and their roles and resources in support of the project.

9. Review process

All applications will be reviewed through a competitive process based on the program's eligibility and merit criteria. ISED will select proposals that best address program objectives.

When completing the application, applicants must clearly demonstrate the extent to which the proposed project meets all criteria. It is not sufficient to state that the project will meet the criteria; the applicant should provide details as to how the project will specifically meet the criteria.

An application will not be fully assessed until all required documents are submitted and the application is deemed complete. Incomplete applications may be rejected by ISED.

10. Eligible costs

Eligible costs are expenditures that are directly related to the approved project. These costs will be outlined in the contribution agreement and include:

• salary and mandatory employment related costs;
• costs associated with the delivery of the project (e.g. program design, communication and outreach, rental of space, domestic travel in accordance to the National Joint Council Directive, training and professional development, etc.);
• administration^{Footnote 2}/overhead costs (up to 10% of eligible costs funded by ISED);
• incremental administration and accounting expenses;
• expenditures associated with the purchase of computer equipment and parts, required software, purchase and rental of equipment;
• goods and services expenditures to support environmental protection, workplace health and safety, security and communications.

11. Ineligible costs

Ineligible costs are those costs that are not covered under ATP.

These may include:

• expenditures that are not related to the ATP project;
• expenditures incurred before the eligibility date or after the project completion date;
• employment benefits other than Mandatory Employment Related Costs;
• hospitality costs for the organization;
• accounting and administrative expenses related to existing organizational activities;
• property and general liability insurance costs;
• indirect costs

12. In-kind contributions

In-kind contributions to projects may be considered as eligible expenditures for the purpose of determining applicants' share of eligible costs of the project. To be eligible, the in-kind contributions must be for goods or services that would otherwise be eligible under the program's Terms and Conditions and if not contributed in-kind would be purchased and paid by the recipient. In-kind contributions must be detailed in the funding proposal. No part of any program contributions will be paid on in-kind costs.

13. Stacking limits and other government assistance

Proposals may include funding from other levels of government, private sector or non-profit partners, however, the total funding from all federal, provincial/territorial and municipal sources cannot exceed 100%.

14. ATP budget workbook

The applicant must use the ATP Budget Workbook template provided. The proposed project budget must include sufficient detail to allow for an assessment to determine if project costs meet the following requirements:

• all requested funding is for eligible expenditures of the program;
• administration expenses include only those costs that are incremental and incurred as a result of the project;
• administration expenses do not exceed ten percent (10%) of ISED's contribution;
• all requested funding is reasonable and necessary to ensure that the proposed project is successfully completed and the objectives of the project are achieved;
• the requested funding is a minimum of $75,000 and does not exceed $1.5 million in overall ISED funding;
• the budget respects the maximum cost-sharing ratios for applicant type:
  • 50% where for-profit organizations are the primary recipient;
  • 80% where not-for-profit organizations or research institutes are the primary recipient;
• the proposed budget includes identification of all:
  • In-kind contributions (including a description of goods and/or services in the Budget Breakdown tab 1 and Contributing Partners Tab 2);
  • Other government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal); and
  • All other sources of funding including amounts from partners and other contributors to the project.
  • For all cash revenue or in-kind that is secured or pending, include the name of organization and program (if applicable).

15. Approval and contribution agreement

If your application is approved, a contribution agreement will include the legally binding responsibilities and obligations of both parties. Consult the Recipient toolkit for information about the reporting requirements of the contribution agreement.

16. Timing and method of payments

With the exception of conditional approvals,^{Footnote 3} expenditures will be eligible for federal reimbursement subject to the last signature fully executing a contribution agreement. Expenditures incurred prior to the eligibility date are ineligible for reimbursement.

Payments to recipients will be made in one of the following forms:

• Payments will be made on the basis of documented claims for reasonable eligible costs incurred and will be submitted by the recipient not more frequently than quarterly; or
• Payments may be made in the form of advance payments according to a recipients' cash flow requirement. Recipients will be requested to provide an annual cash flow forecast of expenditures based on their Annual Corporate Plan. For each fiscal year, recipients will provide evidence satisfactory to the Minister that all eligible expenditures have been incurred, as requested by the Department.

Each claim is to be accompanied by a progress report of the work completed, as well as details and documentation of all costs being claimed, in a form satisfactory to the Minister. The report will cover the progress made on each milestone and deliverable referenced in the statement of work of the contribution agreement. All claims shall be certified by an authorized officer of the recipient. The Minister may request at any time that recipients provide satisfactory evidence to demonstrate that all eligible costs claimed have been incurred.

Prior to the reimbursement of final payments of an agreement, the Minister may, at his discretion, withhold a percentage of the contribution toward a project until all terms and conditions of the agreement have been met to the satisfaction of the Minister. The Minister shall have no obligation to pay more than ninety percent (90%) of any contribution prior to completion of the project and of any audits that may be required.

17. Official language requirements

Official language requirements will be addressed within the clauses of resulting contribution agreements with successful applicants.

18. Confidentiality and security of information

Personal information provided in project proposals is protected under the Privacy Act; however, other information provided by organizations signing a contribution agreement with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is not protected under this legislation. This information could be provided to any person requesting it under the Access to Information and Privacy Act.

19. Program definitions

Accessible Technology

Accessible technology includes both hardware and software solutions that address barriers faced by persons with disabilities to accessing and navigating the Internet and online services.

Administrative Expenses

Expenses incurred as part of the normal operations of the organization as a whole. Only incremental administration and accounting expenses incurred as a result of the project may be considered as eligible costs.

Administrative expenses may not exceed ten percent (10%) of ISED's contribution.

Advance Payments

Payments specifically provided for in the funding agreement for a contribution, that are made before the performance obligations of the funding agreement that would justify payment of the contribution have been met. Advance payments of contributions are not accountable advances in the context of section 38 of the Financial Administration Act and the Accountable Advance Regulations.

Applicant

Individual or entity that has applied for a transfer payment.

Commercially available

Commercially available is defined by whether the technology has been introduced and is available in the general marketplace. In other words, the new technology may not be scaled in terms of distribution, but is ready to use by persons with disabilities.

Completion Date

Date on which the project will be completed.

Contributor

Provides cash or in-kind contributions to the recipient's project. Contributions by these entities form part of funding listed under "Total Project Costs".

Contribution

Transfer payment subject to performance conditions specified in a funding agreement. A contribution is to be accounted for and is subject to audit.

Cost-Sharing Ratio

The contribution from the Program to an eligible recipient will be the minimum necessary, up to a maximum of eighty percent (80%) of the total eligible project costs. A maximum sharing ratio of fifty percent (50%) will apply where for-profit organizations are the primary recipient.

Eligibility Date

Earliest date on which eligible costs may be incurred. Cannot be prior to April 1, 2023.

Eligible Costs

Project costs that are incurred by the recipients and which, in the opinion of the Minister, are reasonable and required to carry out the eligible activities to which they relate. Eligible costs are those costs on which the contribution will be paid.

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are necessary operating expenses that cannot be wholly attributed to any one department, project or product. Only those costs that can accounted for with supporting documentation will be reimbursed.

Ineligible Costs

Project costs that are not eligible for funding under the program.

In-kind Contributions

Non-monetary resources and cash-equivalent goods or services provided to the recipient in support of the project that would otherwise be eligible under the Terms and Conditions and if not contributed in-kind would be purchased and paid by the recipient.

Recipient

Individual or entity that either has been authorized to receive a transfer payment or that has received a transfer payment.

Stacking Limit

Maximum level of total government funding authorized by the Terms and Conditions for a transfer payment program for any one activity, initiative or project of a recipient. The stacking limit for the Program may be up to one hundred percent (100%) inclusive of the total Government Assistance.

Total Government Funding

Total funding available to a recipient from Canadian federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments for any one activity, initiative or project of the recipient.

Total Eligible Costs

Total amount of project costs that are considered eligible under the program and for which the contribution will be paid. Total eligible costs exclude those costs which are deemed ineligible under the program.

Total Project Costs

The sum of the total amount of requested program funding, total Government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal), and all other sources of funding including amounts from partners and other contributors to the project, and the total value of all in-kind contributions to the project.

Total Project Funding

Total amount of requested program funding.

Transfer Payment

Monetary payment, or transfer of goods, services or assets made, on the basis of an appropriation, to a third party, including a Crown corporation, that does not result in the acquisition by the Government of Canada of any goods, services or assets. Transfer payments are categorized as grants, contributions or other transfer payments. Transfer payments do not include investments, loans or loan guarantees.