Applications Open for Accessibility Standard Committees

Government is inviting Nova Scotians to help advance work toward a barrier-free province.

People can apply to serve on new committees that will develop standards to make the communities we live in more accessible for persons with disabilities.

One committee will make recommendations on education, while another will focus on buildings and public spaces. People appointed to the committees will assist the Accessibility Advisory Board in preparing recommendations for government.

“The establishment of these committees is a significant step forward in our journey to becoming an accessible province,” said Mark Furey, Minister responsible for the Accessibility Act. “Almost one in three Nova Scotians live with a disability. That is a substantial portion of our population who continue to face unnecessary barriers.

“We need their expertise, as well as those in specific sectors to help develop requirements for accessibility.”

Persons with disabilities, organizations that represent persons with disabilities, and organizations and associations directly impacted by the standards will be consulted through the standard development process.

The committee for education will explore the requirements for preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in public and private early childhood, primary, secondary, and post-secondary education, including the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning.

The committee for the built environment will focus on the prevention and removal of barriers to accessibility in buildings, rights of way and outdoor spaces.

Each committee will consist of up to 20 members. Government departments, including Education and Early Childhood Development, Labour and Advanced Education, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and Municipal Affairs, will be represented on the committees.

Proposed standards are expected to be made available for comment in 2021 with final standards implemented starting in 2022.

Additional standard areas for future development include employment, transportation, information and communication, and goods and services.

Committee member applications and more information on the role and requirements can be found at, https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/ . Applications close Jan. 17.