News release

ACCESS-Ability Funding Announced

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--ACCESS-Ability Funding Announced


The government of Nova Scotia today announced approval of 46 projects, worth $310,000, under the Community ACCESS-ability program.

This brings the number of approved projects to 87 and the total investment to almost $600,000 since the program was introduced in May of last year.

“There is a significant need for this kind of program and we’ve been overwhelmed with the enthusiastic response,” said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “We have made important investments in making the province more inclusive, more open to all Nova Scotians and we will continue to do so.”

“Our grant will help to pay for a new ramp, replacing one that was far too steep,” said Georgina Poirier, administrator for The Green Door, Cheticamp Centre for Community Living. The Centre, which offers a variety of crafts and activities for local disabled people, as well as operating a gift shop and hot-dog stand, received close to $5,000 from the program.

“The new ramp will make it a lot easier for our clients, and will make the store more accessible as well,” she explained.

The Western Valley Development Authority in Cornwallis Park, a non-profit Annapolis Valley group in a region recognized as one of Canada’s 12 Smart Communities, received $10,000 to add a ramp, a doorway and an accessible washroom.

“We serve all of Annapolis and Digby counties, and it’s important that we are accessible to everyone in the region,” said authority executive director Janet Larkman.

“We tend to think of technology projects like ours as being a great enabler for people with mobility problems and that’s true,” she said. “At the same time, we have to make our bricks-and- mortar facilities accessible for clients and staff.”

Mr. MacIsaac said his government made a commitment to work with advocacy groups for seniors and disabled Nova Scotians, and this program delivers on that commitment.

The minister pointed to projects approved during 2000 as proof that the ACCESS-ability program is working.

“From one end of the province to the other, we’re opening doors and opportunities for all Nova Scotians,” he said. “From the Southend Community Centre in Sydney to the Digby Waterfront Boardwalk, we’ve helped to improve communities. From the Amherst Fire Hall to the Municipal Administration Building in Liverpool, we’ve invested in inclusivity.”

Groups representing people with disabilities agree that the Community ACCESS-ability Program is making a difference.

“The government is creating a better stage for equity, for people with disabilities,” said Elsie Cholette, provincial co-ordinator of the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities. “It’s a perfect complement for the Public Transportation Assistance Program (PCAP) announced on May 2. PCAP gets people to the building and ACCESS-ability gets them inside.”

Community ACCESS-ability helps municipalities and non-profit organizations to make public buildings and facilities accessible to all Nova Scotians. The four-year program will invest $1.2 million in upgrading public places.

Wheelchair ramps and lifts, accessible washrooms and automatic doors are representative of the types of projects supported by Community ACCESS-ability in community halls, recreational facilities, municipal offices and other locations across the province.

The province contributes $2 for every dollar raised by the project sponsor. Donations of labour and materials can be included in the sponsor’s share, making it easier for municipalities and community organizations to raise their portion of the project costs.

Following is a list of the projects:

Annapolis County Maitland Bridge Community Hall, Maitland Bridge: $7,113. Smart Enterprise Centre (WVDA), Cornwallis Park: $10,000.

Cape Breton County Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 83, Florence: $10,000. St. Albans Anglican Church Community Hall, Sydney: $10,000.

Colchester County Brulé Community Centre, Tatamagouche: $5,208. Colchester-East Hants Regional Library, Truro: $10,000. Tatamagouche Centre, Tatamagouche: $10,000.

Cumberland County Amherst Accessible Play Area, Town of Amherst: $10,000. Order of the Eastern Star, Pugwash: $5,730. Pythian Sisters Cedar Temple #21, Oxford: $4,519. Springhill Mining Heritage Society, Springhill: $980. St. Andrews Wesley United Church, Springhill: $4,362.

Guysborough County Bickerton Community Centre, Bickerton West: $1,800. District of St. Mary’s Lion’s Club, Sherbrooke: $2,061.

Halifax County Camp Victoria, Dartmouth: $10,000. Dartmouth Waterfront Play Structure, Dartmouth: $10,000. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall, Rockingham: $5,256. Porters Lake Community Centre, Porters Lake: $10,000. Spry Harbour Community Hall, Spry Harbour: $9,088. St. Anselm’s Parish, West Chezzetcook: $10,000. St. Stephen’s Church, Halifax: $8,021.

Hants County Ellerhouse Community Hall, Ellerhouse: $6,571. Grace United Church, Walton: $610. IOOF Ypres Lodge #132, Walton: $552. Riverview United Church/Hall, Elmsdale: $10,000.

Inverness County Cheticamp Centre for Community Living, Cheticamp: $4,893. St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Port Hawkesbury: $2,535. Strait Serenity Club, Port Hawkesbury: $1,522. Whycocomagh Education Centre, Orangedale: $6,400.

Kings County Hall’s Harbour Old Schoolhouse (CAP Site), Hall’s Harbour: $8,859. Landmark East Academic Centre, Wolfville $10,000.

Lunenburg County Bridgewater Fire Hall, Lunenburg $10,000. Lordly Museum and Old Municipal Office $10,000. New Germany Medical Centre, New Germany $3,444. Oakhill and District Fire Department, Bridgewater $1,635. St. Barnabas United Church/Hall, Blue Rocks $1,897. Trinity United Church, Mahone Bay $10,000. Western Shore and District Fire Hall, Western Shore $10,000.

Pictou County Order of the Eastern Star Lodge #1, Pictou $8,991. Summer Street Industries, New Glasgow $4,000.

Richmond County Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Johnstown $5,486.

Shelburne County McKay Memorial Library, Shelburne, $3,544.

Victoria County Alderwood Rest Home, Baddeck $4,200. Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre, Dingwall $6,660.

Yarmouth County Knights of Columbus Meeting Hall, Tusket $4,442.