News and Updates

October marks the heart of the autumn season and is recognized as an important month for awareness and education. It highlights several observances, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Month, LGBTQ+ History Month and Domestic Violence Month. Through October, individuals and communities are encouraged to engage in learning, reflection and advocacy to promote understanding, support and positive change!

Announcements:        

• Access Ability Entrepreneurship Stream: For individuals who self-identify as living with a disability and are interested in starting their own business! The Access Ability Entrepreneurship program offers the guidance, knowledge, and resources for your business to thrive. The program is split into two activities: Activity One—Business Incubator and Activity Two—Speaker Series. For more information visit Access Ability Entrepreneurship Stream - Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
• Plain Language Resource Guide: The Accessibility Directorate is pleased to share the updated Plain Language Resource Guide. The resource guide is for anyone who wants to improve their writing for the public. The guide provides the basics of writing in plain language. The resource guide is attached, and also available on the Access includes Everyone Resource Hub. Plain language benefits everyone!                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
• NS Government seeks feedback on Human Rights Commission: The Government of Nova Scotia is modernizing how the Human Rights Commission works, both in protecting and promoting people’s rights and in resolving human rights complaints. As part of this review, Nova Scotians are asked to share their experiences and ideas. If you’ve filed a human rights complaint or have thoughts about how the process could work better, your feedback is welcomed. 
  • The Department of Justice is working with Narrative Research to gather feedback from individuals and organizations across the province. Your input will help shape possible updates to the law and how the Commission operates.
  • You can participate by taking a survey or sending feedback to Narrative Research by Friday, October 10, 2025. Information about the engagement and the online survey is available at: https://novascotia.ca/human-rights-commission-review-engagement/. If you have any questions, please contact Narrative Research at:  info@narrativeresearch.ca 
• Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Community Network Grant: As part of the Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy, funding is available for community-based organizations who support underrepresented and underserved communities to undertake projects that empower community organizations to deliver initiatives that challenge hate, reduce barriers, and strengthen equity across Nova Scotia.
  For more information, please see the Community Network Grant Guidelines.
  • Applications can be submitted through the online application portal or submitted as a document to OEAengagement@novascotia.ca by Friday, October 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (ADT). If submitting through the portal or by email doesn’t work for you, please reach out to us to discuss alternative arrangements that better meet your needs.
  • To learn more about projects previously funded through the Community Network Grant Program, please visit the Community Network Grant Stories section. 
• Peach Research Unit is looking for participants with mobility challenges living in rental housing in Halifax to take part in a research project called NeighbourABLE. Participants will be interviewed about their housing experiences and their homes will be assessed for accessibility. The study aims to identify which accessibility features are available, what’s missing, and what changes could improve rental housing. If you are interested please contact Peach@dal.ca or visit NeighbourABLE Participant Sign Up to register. Check out their social media advertisement to learn more!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
• NS Alert App: Nova Scotia has launched a new app designed to deliver emergency alerts in areas with limited cellular coverage. As the province faces an increasing number of emergencies, the NS Alert App ensures notifications reach more residents quickly and reliably. The app is available for free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Read the full news article at NS Alert App.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

• Prescott Group: On Monday, September 8, 2025, participants of the Prescott group moved into their new facility called Progress Place located in downtown Halifax! Their new home at 5515 Clyde Street brings new opportunities and experiences. Read the CTV News article to learn more about their new space. 
  • Save the date! On October 9, the Prescott Group is hosting a Welcome Home Event with a full tour and community celebration. Follow their social media pages for updates or visit the Prescott Group website.                                 
• Light It Up! For National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a national lighting event held the third Thursday of October, now in it's sixth year.  On October 16, 2025, this coast-to-coast collaboration illuminates the nation purple and blue for one night, spotlighting disability-inclusive employment.  It highlights the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses and their communities, helping companies be successful and competitive. It sparks engagement and conversation about disability-inclusive hiring between job seekers, families, community organizations, businesses and local governments, all across Canada.  For more information check out the Light it Up! For NDEAM, including a public relations kit in both English and French.                                                                                                                                                                                       
• Nova Scotia Centre on Aging is hosting a 2-hour free event on Monday, October 6 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Halifax Central Library, Paul O’Regan Hall. The session will focus on ageism and its implications on health and the social lives of older adults and in our communities. Join the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging for a powerful discussion on ageism as a barrier to aging well and what we can do about it. To register and to learn more about the event, visit A Conversation about Aging Well in the Face of Ageism Tickets.                                                                                                                                                                                            
• Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA): Join IDEA for a 2-day symposium on October 6 and 7 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm focusing on the benefits of inclusive design for employers and persons with disabilities. This event is online and in person in Toronto, Ontario. Visit IDEA Symposium for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                             
• Geo Nova Scotia: Join Geo Nova Scotia on Wednesday, October 8 for GEO Forum 2025, a free hybrid event that bring together government, community and industry partners to explore how they are closing the digital divide across the province. You can attend in person at Volta located on 1800 Argyle Street or join online through VFAIRS. Visit GEO Forum 2025 to register and to learn more about the event.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
• Conundrum Press is hosting a book launch for “Let the Good Times Roll”, a graphic novel that explores travel through the lens of disability and inclusion on October 8 from 6-8:30 pm at the Halifax Central Library Lindsay Children’s room. Visit Let the Good Times Roll Book Launch for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
• 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.                                                                                                                                      
• Recreation Nova Scotia is hosting their annual conference on October 21-24 at the Holiday Inn in Sydney, Cape Breton. The theme of this year's conference is Routed in Relationships: Celebration, Community and Connection Through Recreation. Deadline to register for the event is October 10. For a full schedule, visit RNS Annual Conference.                                                                                                                                                                         
• 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 the 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 of Nova Scotia is hosting their 36th Annual Dementia Care Conference on October 28 from 8:00 am to 4:40 pm ADT at the Cedar Event Centre.  For more information on the event please visit 36th Annual Dementia Care Conference.                                                                                                                                                                            
• Town of Wolfville Housing Accelerator Fund Open House: The Town of Wolfville is hosting an Open House at the Wolfville Legion at 310 Main St to share new information on the Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan on October 30 at 12 pm and in the evening from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Drop by and share your thoughts!                                                                                                                                                 

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.

• Accessibility of buildings has been addressed through amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations. Together, the Built Environment Accessibility Standard and the Nova Scotia Building Code will make a more accessible built environment in Nova Scotia.
• The Accessibility Directorate will support organizations to understand and comply with the requirements of the standard. A series of awareness presentations will be made available. Materials are available on the Accessibility Directorate’s website, including an overview of the standard, a description of the standard in plain language and in ASL, and videos about the standard. 

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

• Sea Change CoLa is offering various training opportunities. Register for the following skill builders below!                                                                                                                                                                                               
  • Multi-generational Workplaces and Disability
    • Date: October 29, 2025
    • Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    • Location: Online
  • Accessible Customer Service
    • Date: November 27, 2025
    • Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    • Location: Online                                                                                                  
• 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.                                                                                                                                                                                   
• ISANS Targeted Language Programs: The Immigrant Service Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) if offering Targeted Language Programs to support vulnerable newcomer groups by providing customized instruction, accessible learning environments and engaging teaching methods. Visit Targeted Language Programs for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• Accessibility Standards Canada: Accessibility Standards Canada has released three new guides to support accessibility in procurement and service design: accessible goods, accessible services, and the design and delivery of programs. These resources offer practical tools to remove barriers and build inclusion. Explore the guides using the links below: 
  • Procurement of accessible goods 
  • Procurement of accessible services 
  • Design and Delivery of Accessible Programs and Services, Including Customer Service.                                                                                                                                     
• 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).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

• 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