Achieving an accessible Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is committed to becoming an accessible province by 2030. We want to know what accessibility means to Nova Scotians and how we can achieve it.
We’re holding public engagement sessions across the province in May so Nova Scotians can give us their input. Everyone, including persons with disabilities, business owners, post-secondary institutions and others, is invited to attend a session.
We want input on accessibility issues, how communities can contribute to an accessible Nova Scotia and any sector-specific considerations. Feedback from these sessions will also help us develop and prioritize accessibility standards for the province.
The Directorate has already consulted with persons with disabilities and representatives of organizations that provide services to persons with disabilities.
The input they provided is summarized in Working Towered an Accessible Nova Scotia consultation document (133 KB PDF ).
This document will inform the discussions at the public engagement sessions.
Consultations schedule
Yarmouth
Date: Tuesday, May 22
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus, 372 Pleasant St.
Bridgewater
Date: Wednesday, May 23
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
NSCC Lunenburg Campus 75 High St.
Dartmouth
Date: Thursday, May 24
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
NSCC Ivany Campus 80 Mawiomi Pl.
Kentville
Date: Monday, May 28
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
NSCC Kingstec Campus 236 Belcher St.
Stellarton
Date: Tuesday, May 29
Time: 6 pm- 8:30 pm
NSCC Pictou Campus 39 Acadia Ave.
Sydney
Date: Monday, June 4
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
NSCC Marconi Campus 1240 Grand Lake Rd.
Register
Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can also indicate here any required accommodations.
All facilities are accessible and CART and ASL interpretation services will be provided.
Contact us
If you wish to provide written feedback or have any questions about these events, please contact the Accessibility Directorate.
Email:
Phone
902-424-8280
Toll free within NS: 1-800-565-8280
TTY
902-424-2667
Toll free within NS: 1-877-996-9954
Accessibility standards
Government is developing accessibility standards in these 6 areas:
Built Environment
Standards in this area will address how to make buildings, streets, sidewalks, and shared spaces accessible to all. These standards may address gaps in current regulations.
Education
Standards in this area will help to create barrier-free learning environments for all students. These standards could address how students with disabilities get the instruction and learning materials they need. The standards will apply to students from grade primary through college and university.
Employment
Standards in this area will support persons with disabilities in finding and securing meaningful employment. The goal is to ensure equal access to employment for persons with disabilities.
Goods and Services
Standards for delivering and receiving goods and services may address several things, including:
- how service providers interact with persons with disabilities
- use of assistive devices when accessing services
- how persons with disabilities obtain goods and services
- how service providers are trained to serve persons with disabilities
Information and Communication
Standards in this area will help to ensure all Nova Scotians can receive and share the same information. They may consider accessible formats (for example, braille, American Sign Language, or large print), accessible websites and technologies, and standards for communicating with persons with disabilities.
Transportation
Standards in this area will help make it easier for everyone to travel in both rural and urban Nova Scotia. The federal government regulates some forms of transportation, such as travel by air and rail. Such transportation would not fall under provincial standards.Related information
The accessibility act
- An Act Respecting Accessibility in Nova Scotia (HTML) (external link)
- An Act Respecting Accessibility in Nova Scotia (PDF 222 KB) (external link)
- American Sign Language (ASL) (external link)