Previously funded projects under the Accessible Technology Program

AbleDocs Inc. will develop an assistive reader that reads PDF content for persons living with visual and cognitive impairments, providing better access to information on the Internet on both Android and iOS devices.

Funding Awarded: $212,500
Click here to learn more about AbleDocs Inc.

AccessNow's Mobilizing an Accessible Canada project will expand the reach of their current online platform to the national level, providing the disabled community with vetted information about the accessibility of venues such as restaurants, businesses, and public transit. The platform will include an interactive map with real-time accessibility notifications in Canada's two official languages.

Funding Awarded: $2.75M
Click here to learn more about AccessNow.

AdHawk Microsystems Inc. will develop and deliver mobile augmented reality glasses with integrated displays and eye tracking to interact with desktop applications. The eye tracking technology will be able to work from various head positions, allowing the user greater mobility.

Funding Awarded: $429,675
Click here to learn more about AdHawk Microsystems Inc.

Assistyv Inc.'s AssystMouse project will develop software that enables users to control their computer using head movements and a standard webcam. The AssystMouse will particularly benefit persons with spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and/or other disabilities affecting upper body movement.

Funding Awarded: $21,000
Click here to learn more about Assistyv Inc.

Centre for Equitable Library Access’s project will improve and pilot systems that support new digital audiobook players, software and commercial voice assistant options, increasing users’ choices for accessible reading materials.

Funding Awarded: $350,959
Click here to learn more about Centre for Equitable Library Access.

The CNIB Foundation will create an accessible payment terminal for Canadians with sight loss. Working with Moneris Solutions, a for-profit business specializing in retail payment terminals, a person who is blind or partially sighted will be able to independently verify its financial transactions without having to rely on others nor giving one's secure PIN.

Funding Awarded: $557,725
Click here to learn more about the CNIB.

Compusult Limited will enhance and extend a combined joystick and mouse switch technology to create controllers that enable someone with physical disabilities to seamlessly switch between and manage multiple devices.

Funding Awarded: $247,814
Click here to learn more about Compusult Limited

Concordia University of Edmonton will develop an improved machine learning chatbot that can evaluate and respond to the digital information needs of users with disabilities.

Funding Awarded: $203,000
Click here to learn more about Concordia University of Edmonton

Emily Carr University of Art & Design will create a new adaptable font to address the needs of people with low vision. The Access Font will allow users to tailor shapes to individual needs.

Funding Awarded: $125,750
Click here to learn more about Emily Carr University of Art & Design

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's Hummingbird Project will improve upon its vocal cord vibration sensor providing hands-free access to digital devices. This prototype has been designed for people who are non-verbal but can vibrate their vocal cords to produce a short "hum," which, when paired with scanning software, can be used to perform keyboarding functions such as Internet browsing and word processing.

Funding Awarded: $311,111
Click here to learn more about Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's Brain-Switch Project will develop a versatile brain-computer interface to provide people with severe physical disabilities who are non-verbal with a reliable way to communicate with others and engage in the digital economy. The solution, which is comprised of a brain-sensing headset, a mobile software application, and a standard tablet, will allow users to interact with technology using brain signals.

Funding Awarded: $387,523
Click here to learn more about Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, as part of the Horizon Health Network regional health authority, is proposing the development and distribution of twitch and lift switches that will improve access to the digital economy for people with the most limiting physical disabilities. These twitch and lift switches will allow users who do not have enough strength or range of motion to use other assistive technologies to interact with technology and for longer periods of time.

Funding Awarded: $199,850
Click here to learn more about Horizon Health Network.

McGill University will develop three strategies based on audio, tactile and multimodal feedback that will allow users who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired to interpret graphical content on the Internet more independently, quickly and effortlessly. This project will particularly help the vast majority of blind individuals who are not Braille-literate.

Funding Awarding: $608,594
Click here to learn more about McGill University

The Neil Squire Society's LipSync project will develop and distribute switches, mouth operated systems and mounting solutions for digital technologies. These will make PCs, laptops and mobile devices more user-friendly for people with disabilities.

Funding Awarded: $3.06M
Click here to learn more about Neil Squire Society.

OCAD University's Coding to Learn and Create project will establish an open repository of inclusive teaching resources which educators can use to adapt coding curriculum and programming environments to better match learner's diverse needs. These resources will include collaborative programming activities to foster collaboration and social participation among students with disabilities and their peers.

Funding Awarded: $1.68M
Click here to learn more about OCAD University.

OCAD University's Project We Count will create new AI and data analytics processes and data visualization tools, devices, and applications. These programs and tools will make digital devices, software and the Internet more accessible to people with disabilities, allowing them to fully participate in the digital economy.

Funding Awarded: $2.9M
Click here to learn more about OCAD University.

Reality Controls Inc.'s 'Control: MasterPro' Android mobile application will operate as a centralized platform for automating all other applications, such as word processing and other digital content programs. By eliminating repetitive and/or difficult tasks and processes, the software will enable persons with disabilities to use their digital devices more effectively.

Funding Awarded: $47,000
Click here to learn more about Reality Controls Inc.

Ryerson University will develop an accessibility adapter toolkit that integrates the Tecla wireless switch and wheelchair interface with a variety of devices and systems that are typically not accessible 'out of the box.' For example, users will be able to use Tecla technology to control non-standard devices like computers and mobile devices.

Funding Awarded: $331,843
Click here to learn more about Ryerson University.

Ryerson University's Inclusive Media and Design Centre will
develop a software conversation application that is customizable and mobile friendly for a wide range of acquired speech and mobility limitations.

Funding Awarded: $251,088
Click here to learn more about Ryerson University.

Secret Study Projects will develop the Extended Expression (EE) software with voice and Braille support. This software will take input from sip-and-puff devices, game pads, and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) controllers or joysticks and translate their output across multiple external devices to provide customizable access to the internet and general computer systems for persons with physical access limitations.

Funding Awarded: $70,307
Click here to learn more about Secret Study Projects.

Speech Mobility Inc.'s UCAN (Unified Communications Accessible Network) project will enhance the accessibility features of cloud phone and virtual assistant technologies. Voice recognition, text-to-speech and voice transcription software will enable workers with disabilities to access and manage their office communications tools everywhere they go.

Funding Awarded: $503,674
Click here to learn more about Speech Mobility Inc.

Technologies HumanWare Inc.'s New Braille Technology project will develop new, low-cost Braille cell technology and Braille readers. These technologies will enable visually impaired persons to immediately access digital content in different formats.

Funding Awarded: $1.06M
Click here to learn more about Technologies HumanWare Inc.

Technologies HumanWare Inc. will develop an electronic tactile device to display raised graphics with multiline Braille text. This will provide users with real-time access to any complex document presenting tables, diagrams or mathematical formulas.

Funding Awarded: $200,000
Click here to learn more about Technologies HumanWare Inc.

Tetra's 'netClé' switch-control platform will give people with limited to very severe physical disabilities control of their mouse and keyboard. This solution will capture touch, light, movement, and other signals from the user's sensors, and convert them into data on the user's digital devices.

Funding Awarded: $529,300
Click here to learn more about Tetra Society of North America.

TrySight Inc.'s Technology Improvement project will develop a screen magnifier/reader and a wearable magnifier/reader for persons with visual impairments.

Funding Awarded: $998,688
Click here to learn more about TrySight Inc.

UQTR will develop an IOS, Android, and wearable 'Task Assistant' to help people with autism and intellectual disabilities perform daily work-related tasks. This application will deliver scheduled reminders of work expectations and timelines, and provide tools to help users tackle new assignments and challenges.

Funding Awarded: $635,856
Click here to learn more about UQTR.

The Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS) at the Université Laval will develop and commercialize an affordable dynamic arm support that will allow persons with disabilities to use standard digital technologies. Instead of expending extra energy, the dynamic arm support will do the heavy lifting for the user and provide the ability to do daily activities such as eating, drinking and working on a computer using a progressive compensation mechanism.

Funding Awarded: $106,425
Click here to learn more about the Université Laval.

The University of Ottawa's Smart Voice Technology project will develop a series of 'custom skills' to use with the commercial voice-controlled Amazon Echo Dot. This solution will help users with cognitive and mental-health related disabilities to get online, add/delete/share items, perform other digital tasks and carry out knowledge-based jobs.

Funding Awarded: $48,000
Click here to learn more about University of Ottawa.