MPP Rickford Announces Improved Accessibility in Dryden
April 12, 2023
New funding for the Dryden Public Library making Kenora-Rainy River more inclusive
DRYDEN – Today, MPP Greg Rickford announced the Ontario government’s support of $60,000 to the Dryden Public Library through the 2022-2023 Inclusive Community Grants Program, which provides funding to municipalities, Indigenous groups, and community organizations for programs and infrastructure projects that promote inclusivity for older adults and persons with disabilities.
“Our government understands the importance of inclusivity and accessibility to all facilities within a community, especially key community spaces like the public library,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora–Rainy River. “That is why our government has provided $60,000 to the Dryden Public Library, which has been used to build a more accessible washroom. Together with municipal partners, our government continues to invest in Northern communities, making Kenora–Rainy River a more accessible, equal, and great place to live, work and play.”
This funding has allowed the Dryden Public Library to check off one of their accessibility action plans by building an accessible washroom. This important renovation has increased accessibility and equality for seniors and people with disabilities at their local library.
“The Dryden Public Library is happy to receive the 2022-2023 Inclusive Community Grants Program from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility,” said Tina Wallin, acting CEO of Dryden Public Library. “Construction started on Monday February 13th and finished the final touch-ups on March 16th. We are so pleased to be able to offer a new, inclusive and accessible washroom facility at the library.”
“Ontario’s older residents and people with disabilities deserve to have more inclusive opportunities to stay fit, active, healthy, and socially connected to their community,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “That is why our government is investing in projects across the province that will build community programming and accessible infrastructure that will help increase the wellbeing and quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities.”
The Ontario government is investing more than $740,000 in seventeen Inclusive Community Grants Program Projects across the province in 2022-23 that promote innovation and expand digital literacy to older adults and persons with disabilities, support infrastructure upgrades to improve accessibility and respond to the unique needs of Indigenous communities, and much more.
Quick Facts
- Applications for Inclusive Community Grants are now open and available at Ontario.ca/GetFunding. Eligible organizations have until April 20, 2023 to submit their applications.
- Twenty per cent of Ontarians ages 15 to 65 have a disability and forty-three percent of Ontarians over age 65 also have a disability. These numbers are expected to increase as the population ages.
- By 2025, there will be 3 million older adults in Ontario – the fastest growing demographic group in the province.
- Inclusive and Age-Friendly Communities work to promote accessibility, safety and active living for older adults and people with disabilities.
- This year’s projects will reach and serve over 150 small communities; create over 32,000 social connections for older people and/or people with disabilities; and engage over 36,000 people province wide.
Additional Resources