Commission Emphasizes Importance of Full Service at the Pumps

COMMUNITY SERVICES--Commission Emphasizes Importance of Full Service at the Pumps

Nova Scotia's Disabled Persons Commission says full service gas stations are important for Nova Scotians across the province who face physical challenges. The commission says people with disabilities depend on full-serve stations so they can participate fully in their communities.

"There are many citizens who require full service at the pumps in order to work, live their lives, and simply, to remain independent," said Judy Hughes, executive director, Disabled Persons Commission. "We understand there are economic pressures driving business decisions. We are asking for businesses to also consider social implications and it is our hope that all gas stations in the province will offer full service."

The Nova Scotia Senior Citizens' Secretariat and the Royal Canadian Legion have joined the Disabled Persons Commission in calling for more full-serve gas pumps in Nova Scotia. They say people who suffer muscle or joint afflictions, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, and the elderly often require full- service gas pumps.

A directory of Nova Scotia service stations shows 259 stations in Nova Scotia offer attended service exclusively, while 103, or 20 per cent, of the province's 521 stations do not offer full service. The 159 stations described as providing both attended and self service may not offer attended service during all hours of operation.

Copies of the directory, Gas Stations in Nova Scotia, are available on the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations website at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr. Copies are also available through the Disabled Persons Commission 902-424-8280.

The Disabled Persons Commission is a non-governmental organization that promotes the participation of Nova Scotians with disabilities in the development of government policies and programs that directly relate to or affect them.