Accessibility Act Compliance

The Government of Nova Scotia is working with partners throughout the province to create an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030.

Accessibility standards

Some businesses and organizations will need to comply with new regulations under the Accessibility Act when 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

Compliance framework

The accessibility compliance framework explains each step of the compliance process.

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

Government will provide education and support to organizations required to comply with the Accessibility Act, including targeted outreach about deadlines and requirements, resources, and training.

Requirements for prescribed public sector bodies

The Accessibility Act requires prescribed public sector bodies to have an accessibility advisory committee and accessibility plan. Accessibility plans must be developed by the initial deadline for the prescribed public sector bodies and updated every 3 years. The deadline for updating plans is every 3 years from the initial deadlines.

Initial accessibility plan deadlines

Deadline	Prescribed public sector bodies
1 April 2022	municipalities and villages Nova Scotia Community College regional public libraries universities
1 April 2023	Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority Build Nova Scotia Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Events East Invest Nova Scotia Housing Nova Scotia IWK Health Centre Nova Scotia Health Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Nova Scotia Museum Regional Centres for Education
1 April 2026	Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency

Updated accessibility plan deadlines

Deadline	Prescribed public sector bodies
1 April 2025 1 April 2028	municipalities and villages Nova Scotia Community College regional public libraries universities
1 April 2026	Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority Build Nova Scotia Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Events East Invest Nova Scotia Housing Nova Scotia IWK Health Centre Nova Scotia Health Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Nova Scotia Museum Regional Centres for Education
1 April 2029	Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency