Built Environment Accessibility Standard

The Built Environment Accessibility Standard outlines requirements that organizations need to follow to prevent and remove barriers to accessibility in the built environment. The built environment includes the spaces where people live, work, learn and play across Nova Scotia.

Accessibility standard

• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations (PDF)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations – Overview (PDF)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations – Plain language (PDF)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations – Plain language – American Sign Language (ASL) (Vimeo video)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard – Information Session (Vimeo video)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard – Information Session with ASL (Vimeo video)

Compliance

The Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations are now law. Enforcement of compliance starts 1 April 2026.

• Accessibility Act: compliance and enforcement framework  

Resources

• Information about the Built Environment Accessibility Standard (YouTube video)
• What are Accessibility Standards? (YouTube video)
• What is the built environment? (YouTube video)

How the standard was developed

The Accessibility Advisory Board established a committee to help the board make recommendations on the content and implementation of an accessibility standard in the built environment. Committee members included representatives from sectors impacted by the standard and government. The majority of committee members identified as having a disability.

The recommendations were used to prepare Nova Scotia’s accessibility standard for the built environment.