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News and Updates

Nova Scotia’s Built Environment Accessibility Standard is now law

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September Announcements

September is recognized for several important awareness months, including World Alzheimer’s Month.

World Alzheimer's Month is a global event held every September to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Started by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), the goal is to help people better understand these conditions, fight the stigma around them, and support those affected. Each year, people and organizations around the world take part in different activities to show support, call for better care, and push for more research.

The Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia is hosting Community Week, an annual series of events taking place across communities throughout the province from September 21-27, 2025. This week-long initiative offers educational sessions on dementia-related topics, highlights the Society’s programs and services, and connects individuals with valuable community resources to support them on their dementia journey.

Click the links below for events happening across the province and helpful resources for Alzheimer's Awareness month

Announcements:                                                                                                                                          

  • Truth and Reconciliation Day: Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Learn more about Trust and Reconciliation Day by visiting the resources below:
  • Government of Nova Scotia: Province Calls for Applications for Table on Gender Based Violence: Nova Scotians with personal, professional or community-based experience in addressing gender-based violence can apply to join the new Ministers’ table on gender-based violence. Please visit the Call for Applications webpage to apply to become a table member. Applications are due Friday September 5, 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                    
  • Government of Nova Scotia: Apply for funding to support municipal infrastructure projects: The Province continues to support growing municipalities through the Growth and Renewal for Infrastructure Development Program (GRID). Municipalities and villages can apply for funding from the Growth and Renewal for Infrastructure Development Program to reduce the cost of municipally-owned infrastructure projects, including accessibility projects. You can apply until October 9, 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • Rick Hanson Foundation- Municipal Accessibility Policy (MAP) Toolkit: Municipalities play a key leadership role in ensuring municipal spaces are accessible for everyone. The Rick Hanson Foundation developed a new resource for municipalities to identify and remove built environment barriers in their communities. To download the resource, visit Municipal Accessibility Policy (MAP).

 

 

Events to Attend this Fall!

  • Atlantic International Film Fest: The Atlantic International Film Fest will take place on September 10 throughout September 17, 2025, at the Park Lane Cineplex Cinemas in Halifax Nova Scotia. The Atlantic International Film Fest is proud to welcome film lovers from all walks of life to enjoy their programming.  You can find accessibility information on their events page as it becomes available. Visit these resources for more information about the festival.  Atlantic International Film Festival.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
  • Prismatic Arts Festival: The Prismatic Arts Festival is a multidisciplinary arts festival that celebrates innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada. Based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Prismatic is committed to making their events and performances accessible to all by prioritizing accessible venues, providing ASL and captioning, and making sensory kits available for performances. The festival will take place on September 26 to October 5. For more information visit: Prismatic 2025 – Prismatic Festival                                                                                                                                                               
  • Hike Nova Scotia- Hiking Buddies Workshop: Learn how to assist blind and partially sighted hikers on September 27 from 10 am to 12 pm at Shubie Park, 54 Locks Road in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. The workshop will cover myths and misunderstandings about being blind or partially sighted. Participants will receive guide training and learn tips on hiking/walking techniques and descriptions. Visit HikeNovaScotia for the full event description.                                                                                                                                                       
  • Nocturn Festival: Nocturne's 18th annual Art-at-Night Festival will take place on October 16 to October 19th, throughout Halifax,  with dozens of outdoor and indoor installations, performances, interactive projects, artist talks, workshops, and more.
    • Earlier this year, Nocturne put out a call for artists to participate in their Low Sensory Project, a planned sensory-friendly program during daytime hours at one of the Summer House Gazebos in Point Pleasant Park. The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025. Visit Nocturne’s website for accessibility updates and to learn more as information becomes available.
    • Check out their blog post from 2022, 5 Accessible Projects to Check out at Nocturne which highlights why accessibility in the arts is important.
  • Sea Change CoLab ACE Awards: Join Sea Change CoLab on Thursday, October 23 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Daily Grind in Halifax for the ACE Awards, a celebration of the people and organizations leading the way in accessibility, innovation and equity. They will spotlight growing network of ACE Employers—those who are boldly reimagining what inclusive work can look like. Visit ACE Awards for more information or to register for this free event.                                                                                                                                            
  • Alzheimer’s Society Nova Scotia is hosting their 36th Annual Dementia Care Conference on October 28 from 8am to 4:40 pm ADT at the Cedar Event Centre.  For more information on the events please visit 36th Annual Dementia Care Conference. 

Accessibility Standard Development Updates

Goods and Services Accessibility Standard: The Accessibility Advisory Board’s Goods and Services Accessibility Standard Recommendations have been released. These recommendations will inform the development of an accessibility standard in goods and services. This work would not be possible without the input from Nova Scotians with disabilities, and the expertise and dedication of the Board, and the Goods and Services Standard Development Committee. The 10 recommendations address barriers in service delivery specifically, including service delivery training, use of assistive devices and temporary disruption of services, to name a few . Government has begun its review of the recommendations and expect a proposed standard will be shared for public comment in 2026.                                                                                                     

Built Environment Accessibility Standard: The Built Environment Accessibility Standard was approved, making it Nova Scotia’s first accessibility standard under the Accessibility Act! The standard introduces technical design requirements for new and redeveloped infrastructure starting April 1, 2026, as well as new accessibility planning requirements which are due April 1, 2026.

More information about the standards is available on the Accessibility Directorate’s website.

Resources and Training

  • Sea Change CoLa is offering various training opportunities. Register for the following skill builders below!                                                                                                                                                                                                
  • Sea Change CoLab also offers resources on their website. This includes blog posts on accessibility best practices, learning and facilitation opportunities, guidebooks and much more. Visit the Sea Change CoLab website and explore what they have to offer.                                                                                                                                                                          
  • Halifax Public Libraries: The Halifax Public libraries are offering access to free LinkedIn Learning and 16,000 digital courses available for the public! Visit Halifax Public Libraries for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
  • Better Backstages: Accessibility Toolkit for Music and Art Spaces: The Atlantic Presenters Association (APA), in partnership with Eastern Front Theatre (EFT), and Music Nova Scotia, are proud to present the Better Backstages Toolkit! This resource is an accessibility toolkit for music and art spaces. It covers the Built Environment as well as other aspects of arts spaces. Visit Better Backstages: Accessibility Toolkit for Music and Arts Spaces - Home to read the toolkit.                                                                                                                                                                                           

Share Your News and Stories with Us!

  • Accessibility News in Your Organization
    The Accessibility Directorate is interested in your news on accessibility progress and improvements in your organization. We may share your news in our Breaking Barriers newsletter, on our website or other communications. Please send your news to accessibility@novascotia.ca
     
  • Personal Stories and Experiences
    Do you or someone in your organization in Nova Scotia have a short personal story you would like to share with us? The Accessibility Directorate is interested in hearing your personal stories and experiences related to accessibility. We may share your story on our website or in other communications. Please send your personal stories to accessibility@novascotia.ca
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