Accessibility Act Compliance

The Government of Nova Scotia is working with partners throughout the province to raise awareness about these requirements.

Accessibility standards regulations

Organizations must comply with accessibility standards regulations under the Accessibility Act as they are enacted.

The first accessibility standard is now law:

• Built Environment 

Government is also developing accessibility standards in the following areas:

• Education
• Employment
• Goods and Services
• Information and Communication
• Public Transportation

Accessibility plans and advisory committees

The Accessibility Act requires that prescribed public sector bodies have an accessibility advisory committee and an accessibility plan. Accessibility plans must be made publicly available and updated every 3 years.

Compliance framework

Government’s approach to compliance and enforcement under the Accessibility Act is explained in the compliance framework.

Accessibility Compliance Framework (PDF 126KB)
Accessibility Compliance Framework – ASL video (Vimeo)

The Accessibility Directorate is responsible for compliance and enforcement activities. The Accessibility Directorate monitors compliance with the Act and regulations and provides education and support to organizations to help them comply. This includes information about requirements, as well as resources and training.

Making a complaint

You can submit a complaint to the Accessibility Directorate if you believe an organization is not meeting requirements under the Accessibility Act or the regulations.

Currently, you may make a complaint if you think a prescribed public sector body has not met the requirements to have an accessibility advisory committee and an updated accessibility plan. You may also make a complaint if you think an organization has not followed a requirement in the Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations.

When the Accessibility Directorate receives a complaint, it will:

• review the information provided
• determine whether the issue is a requirement of the Accessibility Act or its regulations
• gather more information, if needed
• determine whether the organization has met its accessibility requirements

If there is evidence of non-compliance, staff will offer the organization information, tools or resources to support compliance, and may initiate enforcement activities as set out in the Accessibility Compliance Framework.

Additional information

If you have questions about the requirements under the Accessibility Act or its regulations, you can contact the Accessibility Directorate for more information. The Accessibility Directorate does not provide legal advice.

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