Post-Secondary Students with Permanent Disabilities Receive COVID-19 Response Grant

The Rankin Government knows that many Nova Scotians have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including post-secondary students and, in particular, those students with disabilities. That’s why it is introducing the COVID-19 Accessibility Grant. This grant will help about 3,000 Nova Scotia post-secondary students with permanent disabilities by providing them $800 in financial assistance.

This government recognizes that students with permanent disabilities have exceptional education-related and equipment requirements. The one-time $800 grant will help ensure equity of access to training and other educational opportunities, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusivity and opportunity.

“We want all our post-secondary students to be successful and to have equal access to education and training,” said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Lena Metlege Diab. “This grant will provide extra funding support and help students with disabilities address new costs arising from remote-learning and other learning environment changes.”

Students with permanent disabilities require individualized supports depending on their disability and program of study. This may include ergonomic equipment, installation, training and tech support for assistive technology and specialized software programs, computer upgrades, ipads, second monitors, cell phones with Wi-Fi, extra note-taking and tutoring.

The grants will be distributed to students starting this month. Eligible students do not need to apply.

Quotes:

"During the pandemic, students with permanent disabilities have faced specific barriers, exacerbated by online learning. Without on-campus support, students with disabilities have had to adapt, often at a cost. This new grant helps recognize the inequity faced by these students, while assisting financially.”

– Clancy McDaniel, executive director, Students Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

• this is a one-time grant to assist with costs related to the pandemic and is being funded by the Government of Canada through the Work Force Development Agreement
• in addition to the grant, funds will also be allocated to an annual $100,000 University Inclusion Education Tuition Grant and IT enhancements that will improve accessibility for students with disabilities ($200,000 for 2020-21 and $1.05 million for 2021-22)
• eligible students must have provided medical documentation verifying they have a permanent disability and be receiving support through Post-Secondary Accessibility Services
• the total cost for the COVID-19 Accessibility Grant will be about $2.6 million
• last December government announced a one-time COVID-19 Response Grant of $750 for all recipients of Nova Scotia Student Assistance in the 2020-21 academic year

Additional Resources:

For more information, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/apply/new/StudentsWithDisabilities.asp