Improving Access for Disabled Persons

The province is planning to spend $350,000 to improve access to public facilities for persons with disabilities under the Community ACCESS-Ability program.

As announced in the provincial budget, the money is intended to provide improved access to facilities such as libraries, community centres and recreational and cultural buildings. The program will help municipalities as well as other community groups and organizations remove barriers for persons with disabilities.

"With such a significant portion of the province's population reporting disabilities, it's imperative that governments at all levels pay closer attention to issues relating to access to public facilities and venues," said Ray White, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

According to the Canadian Census, about 189,000 persons with disabilities lived in Nova Scotia in 1991. This represents roughly 21 per cent of the total population of the province. Nova Scotia's disability rate in 1991 was higher than for any other province in Canada and almost six per cent higher than the national average.

The Community ACCESS-Ability program funding will be used to increase the capacity of communities and non-profit organizations to provide universal access to community facilities for persons with disabilities. Providing access to new employment and volunteer opportunities for persons with disabilities is a primary objective of this initiative.

This program will complement other government initiatives to improve access, including the Accessible Transportation Assistance Program and the Inclusive Transportation Pilot Project administered by the Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

Specific program guidelines will be finalized over the next few weeks in consultation with interested stakeholders.