ACCESS-ability Program Launched
The Nova Scotia government is spending $1.2 million to make community buildings accessible to people with disabilities.
The Community ACCESS-ability program will contribute up to $10,000 toward the cost of upgrades. The projects could include such improvements as automatic doors, wheelchair ramps, barrier- free washrooms and audio loops for the hearing impaired.
"We want to help community organizations start to open doors right away," Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Angus MacIsaac said during the program launch at the Bloomfield Centre in Halifax this morning. "There's a real need for this program. All Nova Scotians should be able to get in and out of their local libraries, make use of community halls, recreational and cultural facilities."
Non-profit organizations and municipalities can receive grants to cover two-thirds of the direct and indirect costs of renovations, installations or equipment. The sponsoring organization is required to raise at least one third of the project budget, although labour and materials can be included in the sponsor's portion.
The program will run for four years and was developed in consultation with community and advocacy groups across the province. It roughly doubles the funding of an earlier proposal.
"The value of this program to the disabled community has been recognized by the government," said Charlie MacDonald, executive director of the Disabled Persons Commission. "Providing equal access to buildings must be viewed as a fundamental right and this program will help address this issue."
"The fewer barriers our clients encounter, the easier it is for them to become more self-reliant after an injury," said Laughie Rutt, executive director of the Canadian Paraplegic Association of Nova Scotia. "This is important and necessary infrastructure improvement."
"This means a great deal to us, to be able to enter a library and enjoy a good book, to take part in a wedding reception at the local hall, to browse through a museum," said Elsie Cholette, provincial coordinator for the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities. "More than 21 per cent of Nova Scotia's population are persons with disabilities and this program's funding will provide access to many public buildings that once presented barriers."
Applications can be found on the department's website http://www.gov.ns.ca/homa and will soon be available through ACCESS Nova Scotia and Housing and Municipal Affairs offices.