Nunavut grant provides $20K to help people with mobility-related disabilities

The Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society [NDMS], the Inclusion Cafe, and Nunavut's Department of Family Services are celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Nunavut by promoting a $20,000 grant designed to help people with mobility-related disabilities.

The Nunavut Solutions Grant covers the cost of programs, equipment, and services that can help improve the quality of life for individuals with mobility-related disabilities in the territory. The $20,000 is divided among all the successful applicants.  

Specialized equipment like motorized wheelchairs or lift chairs, or renovations to make a home accessible by adding ramps and accesible showers, can cost thousands of dollars — costs that become more prohibitive when factoring in shipping charges to Nunavut. 

"I think it's a start," said Carolyn Curtis, a project manager with NDMS. "I think when you're looking to fund larger projects, oftentimes you have to get little bits and pieces from different funders, and there are other options available."

Last year, three people received the grant, including an individual with a spinal cord injury who used the funds to buy a specialized chair, as well as a family in one of hamlet that used the money to retrofit their bathroom to make it wheelchair accessible.

"I think it's a positive initiative, but there hasn't been a lot of research for us to know what the needs are for individuals," said Mary Beth Minthorn-Biggs, a spokesperson for the territory's department of Family Services.

Career development 

Family Services is also supports career development to help businesses like Iqaluit's Inclusion Cafe, a catering service designed to train and employ people with disability issues.

The Inclusion Cafe, which has been operating for a year and a half, is a volunteer-run organization that employs 10 people, who each work three to four shifts each month.

"While it's not going to allow them to fully support themselves, it's giving them that first stepping stone," said Curtis, who also coordinates the Cafe.

According to Curtis, some of the employees who started with the Cafe have since been hired by other food outlets.

"It's really inspiring and empowering people to know that they're valued," she said.