Disability Support Program

Human Rights Remedy Report – The Human Rights Review and Remedy for the Finding of Systemic Discrimination Against Nova Scotians with Disabilities Report provides recommendations and supporting actions to help transform support for people living with disabilities.

The Disability Support Program (DSP) services children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, long-term mental illness and physical disabilities in a range of community supported living options and day programs.

These are voluntary programs designed to support people at various stages of their development and independence.

Programs and resources

• DSP Remedy Website
  This is the main source for information on the government's work on the remedy and includes questions and answers, as well as a timeline of milestones achieved.
• Disability Support Program (DSP) Policy
  This policy provides support to individuals with intellectual/physical disabilities and/or long term mental illness. It includes information on program, financial eligibility and basic and special needs. (Glossary of Terms is located within the DSP Policy.)
• Alternative Family Support Program
  The Alternative Family Support Program (AFS) supports persons with disabilities in an approved, private family home.
• Direct Family Support for Children
  Direct Family Support for Children (DFSC) and Enhanced Family Support for Children (EFSC) provide funding to enable families to support their child with a disability at home. DFSC and EFSC provide funding for the purchase of respite services to assist with scheduled breaks for family care givers. An enhanced funding component may be available for children and families who meet EFSC eligibility criteria.
• Flex Program
  The Flex Individualized Funding program provides supports and services to adults with disabilities who live at home with their families or who live independently with support from their family or personal support network. The program provides self-directed and self-managed funding to eligible participants.
• Independent Living Support
  Independent Living Support (ILS) is a community based option that provides funding for hours of support services from a Service Provider, based on the assessed needs and circumstances of an eligible participant who is semi-independent and requires support to live on their own.
• Licensed Homes For Special Care
  These settings provide support and supervision in homes with three or more beds.
• Day Programs
  Day Programs provide community-based vocational programs for youth and adults with disabilities.
• Standard Household Rate
  The Standard Household Rate is for basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, fuel, utilities and personal items.
• Protection For Persons in Care
  Under this Act, abuse may be physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, neglect, theft or medical abuse.
• Wheelchair Recycling Program
  Wheelchairs for children and adults with a net family income that falls within program guidelines.
• Personal Directives Act (on the Department of Justice site)
  This act enables Nova Scotians to document their wishes regarding what personal care decisions are made for them in the event that they are unable to make these decisions themselves. See also the DCS Service Provider Sample Forms.
• Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities
  This program offers services to support people with disabilities.
• Community ACCESS-Ability Program
  This program offers cost-shared grants to community groups for accessibility related capital improvements.
• Service Provider Resources
  Resources, forms and information for service providers

  Human Rights Remedy Report

  • Update on the Human Rights Case (PDF)
  • Human Rights Review and Remedy for the Findings of Systemic Discrimination Against Nova Scotians with Disabilities (PDF)
  • Human Rights Review and Remedy for the Findings of Systemic Discrimination Against Nova Scotians with Disabilities - Executive Summary (PDF)