If you feel as though you have been discriminated against due to your disability there are formal and informal steps you can take to fight for your rights. You can speak with the individual or organization that was discriminatory towards you and try to come to a reasonable solution. You can put your request in writing and you can ask for a response in writing if you are not satisfied.
Sometimes, self-advocacy is not enough. In these cases, you may wish to consult a lawyer who practices in the area of human rights, discrimination, or health law to see whether the following options are appropriate:
- A complaint to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. You can contact the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission or visits its Complaint Self-Assessment page to get a sense of whether or not your experience falls within the purview of the Human Rights Act. If your issue falls within the purview of the Human Rights Act, commission staff can help you file a complaint. Generally, you must make a complaint within twelve months of the incident. See the Human Rights Guide for more information.
- Making a complaint to the Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman.
- If you feel that a staff member was unprofessional or violated their professional code (e.g. Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics and Professionalism), you may want to register a complaint with the professional regulatory body, such as the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia. You can find the relevant regulatory body and their contact information through the Canadian Regulatory Guide.