New Chair and Members Named to the Accessibility Advisory Board

Nova Scotia has appointed a new chair and vice-chair to lead the work of the Accessibility Advisory Board and welcomes several new members.

“The board plays a significant role in guiding us on our journey to becoming an accessible province by 2030,” said Mark Furey, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “The interests of Nova Scotians will be very well served by the leadership of newly appointed chair and vice-chair, Rosalind Penfound and David Caswell. I am very much looking forward to what they and our newly appointed and experienced members will accomplish.”

Four newly appointed members are replacing current members whose terms end on Feb. 7.

Appointees are:

• Birgit Elssner, Wolfville
• Andrew Jantzen, Halifax
• Ellen Johnson, Bridgewater
• Jenny-Rachel Lind, New Waterford

Six members are returning for a second term:

• Rosalind Penfound, chair, Dartmouth
• David Caswell, vice-chair, Waverley
• Cynthia Bruce, Kentville
• Linda Campbell, Halifax
• Marcie Shwery-Stanley, Sydney
• Anne Sinclair, Halifax

The Accessibility Advisory Board was established in 2018 and is responsible for advising and making recommendations to the minister of Justice about accessibility.

The majority of board members are persons with disabilities. Members of the board also represent various sectors, including business, education and building design, and reside in various communities across the province.

Quotes:

“I am pleased to have served on the inaugural board and proud of the progress we have made to ensure that people across the province are consulted in the development of accessibility standards, and to raise awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities and the barriers that impact them. I am excited to take on the role of chair as our important work continues in advancing accessibility in the province.”

– Rosalind Penfound, chair, Accessibility Advisory Board

Quick Facts:

• the Accessibility Advisory Board provided government with their first set of recommendations for standards in education and the built environment
• interdepartmental working groups are working with the board’s recommendations, which are expected to be released for further consultation later this year
• the board will continue its work on recommendations for accessibility standards in other areas, including employment, information and communication, goods and services, and transportation. They are expected to recommend the next priority area for standard development in the coming months

Additional Resources:

Accessibility Advisory Board: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/advisory-board/