Nova Scotia legislature building

Legislation and action

Accessibility is a human right required under legislation. When everyone has equitable access, everyone can flourish.

The Accessibility Act

In 2017, government passed the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. It outlines the steps we have to take as a province to make sure every Nova Scotian can fully participate in our society.

The Accessibility Act aligns with the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognizes accessibility as a human right.

Nova Scotia is aiming to become an accessible province by 2030. We’ll achieve our goal by preventing and removing barriers and improving policies, services, and programs. We’re working with people with disabilities, the public and private sectors, and other stakeholders to develop accessibility initiatives and standards.

This goal can’t succeed without a cultural shift in our province. This change will require collaboration, innovation and transformation among government organizations, public and private sectors, communities and all Nova Scotians.

Learn more: Accessibility Act

6497 A light skinned woman navigates a sidewalk between storefronts and parked cars in a town centre using a white cane. She is moving past a restaurant decorated with gingerbread people.

Accessibility Directorate

The Accessibility Directorate is a part of the Department of Justice. It works collaboratively to advance Nova Scotia’s accessibility commitments and priorities.

Learn more: Accessibility Directorate

Creating accessibility standards

Accessibility standards are rules and guidelines for improving accessibility and participation in everyday life for Nova Scotians with disabilities. They provide direction and consistency for educational institutions, businesses, communities and government organizations.

Government is working to develop and implement accessibility standards in these areas by 2030:

  • built environment
  • education
  • employment
  • goods and services
  • information and communication
  • public transportation and transportation infrastructure

Learn more: Accessibility Standards

Passengers inside a bus including an elderly light-skinned woman, a younger light-skinned adult woman seated in a wheelchair in the front using their phone, and another wheelchair user behind them. The bus has yellow indicator strips on the ramp inside and vertical yellow poles.

Government’s Accessibility Plan

The Government of Nova Scotia is committed to leading by example by being accessible in how we work, do business, and provide services to Nova Scotians. Working with government departments, employees with disabilities and input from Nova Scotians, we’ve developed an accessibility plan for government.

Learn more: Government’s Accessibility Plan

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