Accessibility Act review
The Accessibility Act requires an independent external review of the act within 4 years of when it came into effect in 2017 and every 5 years after.
In October 2021, government appointed Dr Katie Aubrecht to conduct the first review. Her review focused on identifying any possible changes to the act, the standard development processes and the implementation of Access by Design 2030, the plan to make Nova Scotia accessible by 2030.
Dr Aubrecht’s review was completed in April 2023 and released publicly in May 2023. As part of the review process, Dr Aubrecht consulted with persons with disabilities, organizations that serve them and others affected by the legislation.
Government’s response
Government reviewed Dr Aubrecht’s report and accepts the spirit and intention of the recommendations. Government’s response outlines 6 areas that address the main concerns identified in the review. Government is committed to developing accessibility standards to achieve our goal of an accessible province by 2030.
- Government of Nova Scotia Response to Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act Independent Review Report (PDF)
- Government of Nova Scotia Response to Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act Independent Review Report – American Sign Language (ASL video)
Review report
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report (PDF 3.8 MB)
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report Summary – Plain Language (PDF 1.8 MB)
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Executive Summary – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Nova Scotia Accessibility Act – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Summary of Recommendations – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Recommendation 1 - Include Culture in Definitions of Disability and Accessibility – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Recommendation 2 - Address Intersectionality in the Interpretation and Administration of the Act – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Recommendation 3 - Collaborate to Enhance Province-wide Accessibility Capacity, Expertise and Innovation – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Recommendation 4 - Continue to Model Accountability in Accessibility Work – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Recommendation 5 - Strengthen the Autonomy of Entities Established by the Act – American Sign Language (ASL) video
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Independent Review Report: Recommendation 6 - Specify, Explain and Achieve Accessibility Timeline – American Sign Language (ASL) video
Learn more: Terms of Reference: Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Review (PDF 112 kb)
Terms of Reference: Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Review – American Sign Language (ASL video)
Contact
Phone: 902-424-8280
Toll-free (within Nova Scotia): 1-800-565-8280
TTY: 902-424-2667
TTY toll-free (within Nova Scotia): 1-877-996-9954
accessibility@novascotia.ca
Related legislation
Related information
- Access by Design 2030
- Accessibility Act review
- Accessibility Act: compliance overview
- Accessibility Advisory Board
- Accessibility in Nova Scotia
- Accessibility resources
- Government of Nova Scotia Accessibility Plan
- Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Accessibility Framework (PDF)
- Nova Scotia Public Libraries Joint Accessibility Framework (PDF)
- Small Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program
- What We Heard: Accessibility in Nova Scotia