Cape Breton Shares in ACCESS-ability Funding

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Cape Breton Shares in ACCESS- ability Funding

Six community groups in Cape Breton and Victoria counties will receive a total of more than $49,000 to help make their facilities more accessible to persons with disabilities. The projects include installing wider doorways, wheelchair accessible washrooms and building ramps.

Projects in eastern Cape Breton are among 41 projects worth a total of $260,000 announced today, May 23, by the Nova Scotia government under the Community ACCESS-ability program. The program helps community groups make public buildings and other facilities more accessible for Nova Scotians with disabilities.

This brings the number of approved projects to 181 and the total investment to about $1.1 million since the program was announced in May 2000.

"These projects are vital to enable Nova Scotians with disabilities to fully participate in their communities," said Peter Christie, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "The community organizations we are supporting are helping to make Nova Scotia a more inclusive province and we are proud to work with them."

The Giant MacAskill Museum in Englishtown, Victoria Co., will receive almost $1,500 to build a ramp.

"We welcome many tourists and a new ramp will make it easier for seniors and visitors with disabilities to enjoy our museum and make the most of their visit to Cape Breton," said Michele Cavanaugh, manager of the museum.

Community ACCESS-ability helps municipalities and non-profit organizations make public buildings and facilities accessible to all Nova Scotians. Wheelchair ramps and lifts, accessible washrooms and automatic doors are the types of projects supported by the program in community halls, recreational facilities, municipal offices and other locations across the province.

Under the program, the province contributes $2 for every dollar raised by the project sponsor. Donations of labour and materials can be included in the sponsor's share, making it easier for municipalities and community organizations to raise their portion of the project costs.

The projects approved in Cape Breton and Victoria counties are:

• Mira Boat Club, Albert Bridge: $10,000 (ramp, doorways, washroom)
• Odd Fellows Hall, Glace Bay: $8,524 (lift)
• Lingan Community Centre, Lingan: $9,615 (washroom)
• Southend Community Centre, Sydney: $9,573 (ramp, doorways)
• Bethel Presbyterian Church Hall, Sydney: $10,000 (washroom)
• Giant MacAskill Museum, Englishtown: $1,498 (ramp)

NOTE: Questions about specific projects should be directed to the appropriate organization.