Supporting small businesses in building accessible and age-friendly spaces in Vaughan
The City of Vaughan is committed to building an inclusive, accessible and age-friendly community where residents, visitors and employees can participate fully at every stage of life – and that includes the local business community.
As part of this commitment, the City’s Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) has launched an Accessible and Age-Friendly Resource for Businesses Resource Page.
Here are a few highlights of what the resource includes:
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act – An overview of the legislation, including business responsibilities, key requirements and accessibility standards, to help businesses understand and meet their legal obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
- Tips and tools to become more accessible – Practical, easy‑to‑implement strategies to improve accessibility, including customer service approaches, communication tips and physical space considerations that support people with a range of abilities.
- Age‑friendly business checklist – A helpful checklist that allows businesses to evaluate how well they serve older adults, with actionable suggestions to improve inclusivity, safety, comfort and the overall customer experience for aging populations.
- Available funding – Funding of up to $5,000 is available for eligible small businesses through the City’s Starter Company Plus program. Provincial and federal funding opportunities are also available to support age-friendly and accessibility initiatives. In addition, the Government of Canada offers a consolidated, searchable list of grants, contributions and financial assistance through the Business Benefits Finder.
Business advisory services – The VBEC offers one‑on‑one advice, training and business resources to entrepreneurs and businesses at all stages, helping them implement accessibility improvements while growing sustainably.
To learn more and access the new Accessible and Age‑Friendly Business Resource, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/accessibility.
Business advisory services
The VBEC continues to be the one-stop shop for new and existing business owners – like you – to access the latest resources and tools to help you grow or start your business in Vaughan! Expert business advisors from the VBEC are available for one-on-one consultations at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.), Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. When you arrive for your consultation, you will need to check in with one of the City’s citizen service representatives at the welcome desk on the main floor.
Along with business consultations, the VBEC also provides an expansive list of services for entrepreneurs, including:
- business planning support, including marketing strategies, financial forecast and cash flow, and general business development
- information on the development process, regulations, zoning, licensing, permits, business registration and legal structure
- end-to-end site selection support
- connections to funding sources, financing and grants
- connections to business professionals, organizations and resources from various levels of government
- research and business intelligence support
- business development and marketing support for tourism organizations
business workshops, seminars, events and networking opportunities
To learn more about the VBEC’s services or to schedule an appointment with a business advisor, visit vaughanbusiness.ca, email ed@vaughan.ca or call 905-832-8526.
To stay informed on the City’s latest tourism, business resources and initiatives, sign up for the Economic Development department’s eNewsletters at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters and follow the official channels on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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