Accessibility Grant Announcement in New Victoria

Government is supporting a project in New Victoria, Cape Breton Regional Municipality that will increase accessibility at a local volunteer fire department.

Cape Breton Centre MLA David Wilton, on behalf of Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard, announced the support today, Nov. 14, at the New Victoria Volunteer Fire Department.

"I know how important this meeting place is for a wide variety of community initiatives," said Mr. Wilton. "We're at the heart of the community life here and people of all ages and abilities have important contributions to make."

The volunteer fire department is receiving close to $5,000 from the province's Community Access-Ability Program. The funds will go towards increasing accessibility for the general public who use the hall for meetings.

"The only place in New Victoria for public meetings is this fire hall so being accessible is really important for the community," said Chief Blair McIsaac. "We really rely on this space, including using it as a polling station for elections and for important public meetings."

Government has committed to introducing Nova Scotia's first Accessibility Legislation in 2016.

The Community Access-Ability Program offers grants to community groups for accessibility-related capital improvements, such as renovations making entrances, doorways and washrooms accessible or building ramps.

The grant covers up to two-thirds of the costs of renovations, to a maximum of $10,000. The organization must raise at least one-third of the funding, and can receive funding for one project per year.

For more information, visit www.novascotia.ca/coms/disabilities/communityaccessability.html .