News release

Community ACCESS-ability Program--Halifax County

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

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations--Community ACCESS- ability Program--Halifax County


Nova Scotia’s Community ACCESS-ability Program is making a difference for seniors and people with disabilities at the Wallace Lucas Community Centre.

The non-profit community centre in Lucasville provides both a key meeting place for the community and a location for call centre job training.

Development co-ordinator Douglas Sparks first heard about the program on the news and went to the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Web site for more information. The centre’s application covered improvements to the centre''s washroom.

"Our washrooms had to be gutted out and reconfigured for wheelchairs to make them accessible," said Mr. Sparks.

"The cost of the project was close to $15,000; it was a major undertaking for us," said Mr. Sparks. “The community could not have completed this project on its own but it could raise enough funding to qualify for the program.”

Sponsor organizations, like the centre, can receive $2 from the province for every dollar raised. Donations of labour and materials can be included in the sponsor’s share, which makes it easier for municipalities and community organizations to raise their portion.

Community ACCESS-ability was designed to help non-profit groups and municipalities eliminate barriers and open public facilities to a wider range of people. The four-year, cost-sharing grant program will invest $1.2 million in upgrading public buildings and facilities. Wheelchair ramps and lifts, accessible washrooms and automatic doors are just a few examples of the improvements made to community halls, recreational facilities, municipal offices and other locations.

"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 and more open to all Nova Scotians; we will continue to do so."

Elsie Cholette, provincial co-ordinator of the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities, agrees that the Community ACCESS-ability Program is making a difference. Ms. Cholette says, "The government is creating a better stage for equity for people with disabilities."

With the help of Service Nova Scotia, the Wallace Lucas Community Centre is now better able to offer services and training to people with disabilities. "I think it’s a good program," said Mr. Sparks, "a way to assist facilities out there that recognize the need, but do not have the resources to fulfil requirements to make things accessible."

Community ACCESS-ability has just wrapped up its first year and it has been a success. The recently announced 2001 funding brought the total number or supported projects to 87, worth almost $600,000.

"We’re halfway home but there’s still a lot to be done," said Mr. MacIsaac. "We’re looking forward to receiving more applications and to eliminating more barriers."

Applications are available from Access Nova Scotia Centres, on the Service Nova Scotia Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr or through the toll-free number 1-800-670-4357.