Inclusive Transportation Pilot Project

A number of non-profit agencies, including L'Arche Antigonish, the Caravan Society, the Antigonish and Guysborough Persons with Disabilities Coalition, and the VON-Antigonish will be looking at ways to provide transportation for persons with disabilities. The project will receive $57,000 in funding from the Province to create a community-based pilot project for the counties of Antigonish and Guysborough.

A community committee will be formed which will explore opportunities for the project, with the goal of implementing feasible options this year. Dr. Chris Galea, a professor in the Department of Business Administration at St. Francis Xavier University, will co-ordinate the project.

"Nova Scotia has a higher percentage of disabled persons than any other province in Canada," said Ray White, Minister Housing and Municipal Affairs. "Without sufficient accessible transportation services they are unable to connect with the labour market and successfully participate in their communities."

AWe are very excited about the possibilities of this project in the region," said Tessie MacFarlane, chair of the Antigonish and Guysborough Persons with Disabilities Coalition. "We look forward to working with other stakeholder groups to develop a leading-edge model for inclusive transportation in Nova Scotia."

In response to a pressing need for transportation services for all members of society, the Province launched the Inclusive Transportation Project this year. The project involves the provincial departments of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Community Services, Health, Transportation and Public Works, Education and Culture, the Utility and Review Board, working in conjunction with the Disabled Persons' Commission. The goal of the project is to find innovative, community-based solutions to improve transportation resources.