Featured Story: Recreation Nova Scotia Accessibility Week Videos
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Recreation Nova Scotia- Accessibility Week Videos
Recreation Nova Scotia recognized Accessibility Awareness Week in 2025 by creating a series of videos highlighting accessibility at work in the recreation sector. With the support of the Province of Nova Scotia, Recreation Nova Scotia hired Claire Fraser Videography and Photography to help tell the visual story of what accessible recreation can look like and how it makes people feel. Through an expression of interest process, a project team selected three Recreation Nova Scotia members to highlight for their efforts to serve the disability community in the province: the Halifax Lancers, the Municipality of the County of Antigonish and LEARNINGO.
The Halifax Lancers have been in operation since 1930 and have been making horses accessible to people with disabilities with their therapeutic riding program for over 65 years! Through the efforts of staff and volunteers, the Lancers are making horses accessible to people with disabilities.
The Municipality of the Antigonish County is breaking down barriers to recreation for people with disabilities by making adaptive equipment more accessible. The County's Recreation Department has built a large inventory of adaptive recreation equipment that is free for community members to rent, year-round. In addition to creating the loan program, the County has established many community partnerships to further expand the program and ensure people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in meaningful recreation experiences.
LEARNINGO is a non-profit organization located in Halifax that provides programming for individuals with Autism and those with diverse support needs. LEARNINGO’S Peers Learning Together Program has been providing after school support for children, youth and young adults since 2017. LEARNINGO helps individuals build education, recreation, and independent living skills to ensure community inclusion.
Recreation Nova Scotia launched these videos during National Accessibility Awareness Week on May 25th to 31st. The project was well received by the sector, with over 5500 views between the three videos on Facebook in the first week. Staff will continue to promote and utilize the videos through a variety of ways, including featuring them at upcoming conferences and sharing with community partners. To view the videos, visit Recreation Nova Scotia's website.
More Success Stories to Explore
Nova Ramp Up
The Nova Ramp Up initiative increased access to businesses and organizations by offering free, temporary access ramps for single-step storefronts. This pilot project built brightly colored, removeable, custom ramps for single-step entryways with a rise no higher than between 3 to 12 inches in height with an entryway least 32 inches in width. The ramps were custom designed to fit the height of the step. They were made of wood, are lightweight, treated with high-grade exterior paint and designed with handles so they could be easily transported. No permit is required for a portable ramp and when in use it is level and flush against the step with no gaps. When not in use, ramps are stored in a safe location. The pilot project provided businesses with a window sticker for the entrance so anyone passing by could request the ramp be brought out. Business could also add their ramp to the CANdid Access web map which indicates an accessible entrance. Upon receiving the ramp businesses signed a waiver to take on responsibility and any risk associated with using the ramp on a requested basis. For this pilot project, the ramps provided were a temporary solution to bridge the gap to permanent improvements. Funding was granted through the Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program.
Nova Ramp Up concluded in October 2023, as was coordinated by the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia in partnership with, Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate, the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility, the Planning for Equity, Accessibility and Community Health (PEACH) Research Unit at Dalhousie University, and Recreation Nova Scotia.
CSA Group recognizes Joe Rogers, Building Code Coordinator, Government of Nova Scotia
Joe Rogers received the CSA Group 2023 Award of Merit, in recognition of his exceptional leadership, advocacy and outstanding dedication to the development of plumbing standards and accessible design for the built environment. Joe’s advocacy for the harmonization of requirements across multiple jurisdictions is driven by his concern for the greater public good and sustainable design practices.
View article on CSA Group Award of Merit
Accessible Field of Dreams
Hawks Dream Field opened in Dominion, Cape Breton, with an inclusive and accessible baseball field, accessible washrooms, walking track with benches every 30 feet, an accessible splash pad and more.
Disability in the workplace
Candace Thomas, Deputy Minister of Justice, hosted a panel conversation on Disability in the Workplace for provincial Access Awareness Week 2022 and Nova Scotia Public Service Week. This conversation features the experiences of employees with disabilities and what workplaces can do to be more inclusive.
Improving signage improves access to the built environment
Allison Moz, owner, eyecandy SIGNS, was recognized with a Women in Signs Award from Signs of the Times, which helps to elevate the voices of impactful leaders whose gender is underrepresented in signage and graphics.
Change Makers - The Flower Cart Group
Nearly 200 people at the Flower Cart Group are doing everything from baking bread to building washer toss games. With the belief that everyone has the right to meaningful, challenging employment, the New Minas group has been providing supported employment and training opportunities to adults with diverse abilities for 45 years.
Share your story
If you’d like to share your experience with us, we’d love to hear from you! Contact the Accessibility Directorate at: accessibility@novascotia.ca