Valley Shares in ACCESS-ability Funding

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

Six community groups in Annapolis, Digby and Kings counties will receive a total of more than $27,000 to help make their facilities more accessible to persons with disabilities. The projects include installing wider doorways, wheelchair accessible washrooms and building ramps.

The Valley area projects 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 Flower Cart Employment Outreach office in New Minas will receive more than $1,400 to install a ramp.

"Many of the people we try to help have mobility difficulties, and a ramp will make it easier for them to visit our office," said Roger Tatlock, executive director of the outreach office. "Every barrier you knock down makes it easier for everyone to more fully participate in their community."

Community ACCESS-ability helps municipalities and non-profit organizations to 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 Community ACCESS-ability 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 Annapolis, Digby and Kings counties are:

• Middleton and District Lions Club, Nictaux: $4,220 (ramp)
• Fundy Community and Recreation Club, Young's Cove: $6,083 (ramp, doorways)
• Conway Sheltered Workshop, Digby: $4,549 (toilet sling, entrance improvements)
• Meteghan New Horizon Club, Meteghan: $1,398 (washroom, door)
• Kings County Museum, Kentville: $10,000 (ramp, doorways)
• Flower Cart Employment Outreach Office, New Minas: $1,448 (ramp)

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