By: Lui Greco
In 2017, the Government of Nova Scotia became the third province in Canada to pass accessibility legislation, preceded by Ontario in 2005 and Manitoba in 2013. Other provinces are also moving toward passing accessibility legislation, with British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador passing similar legislation in 2021.
Nova Scotia’s accessibility legislation has set 2030 as the target date for an accessible province. The Accessibility Directorate, who is responsible for administering the Act under the direction of the Minister of Justice, has begun the process of developing accessibility standards under the Act. Standards are intended to remove barriers in the following areas:
- Goods and services: ensuring that people with disabilities have equitable access to goods and services
- Information and communication: ensuring all people can receive, understand and share the information they need
- Transportation: making it easier for everyone to get where they need to go
- Employment: making workplaces accessible and supporting people with disabilities in finding meaningful employment
- Built Environment: making public buildings, streets, sidewalks, and shared spaces accessible to all
- Education: making the education system accessible to all students, from early childhood to post-secondary.
Work is underway on the first draft of standards in education, access to the built environment, and employment. Consultations on several standards are ongoing, with municipal governments engaging citizens who live with disabilities. CNIB was pleased to host one of these sessions in November, bringing together the provincial health body and program participants from across Nova Scotia for a round table discussion.
If you are interested in getting involved in future consultations on accessibility in Nova Scotia, please email advocacy@cnib.ca. Find out more about the Accessibility Act by visiting the Accessibility Directorate’s website.