Nova Scotia has unveiled its third multi-year accessibility plan that outlines the province’s commitments and priorities for creating a more accessible environment through 2028.
The 2025-2028 Accessibility Plan, released Monday, establishes goals across eight priority areas including employment, service delivery, information and communication, and public transportation, said Justice Minister Becky Druhan.
“We are building on years of hard work and momentum to build a more accessible province for today and generations to come,” said Druhan. “By continuing to innovate, collaborate and lead by example, we will achieve our goal for creating a more accessible Nova Scotia.”
Building on previous achievements
The new plan follows progress made during the 2022-2025 period, which included the adoption of the Built Environment Accessibility Standard, the first of six planned accessibility standards under development.
This standard aims to ensure spaces where people live, work, learn and play across Nova Scotia can be accessed and enjoyed by people with disabilities.
Collaboration across government
The plan reflects collaborative efforts across all 29 government departments and continues work initiated under the province’s Accessibility Act.
“The Government of Nova Scotia is continuing to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to creating an accessible province and delivering services, policies and programs that meet the needs of Nova Scotians with disabilities,” said Max Chauvin, chair of the Accessibility Advisory Board. “The Accessibility Advisory Board will continue to provide advice and recommendations, based on lived experience, that will help advance this important work.”
Responding to significant need
The initiative addresses considerable need within the province, where 38 percent of Nova Scotians over age 15 report living with a disability.
Five additional accessibility standards remain under development, including standards for education, employment, goods and services, public transportation, and information and communication. Once developed, all six standards will be enacted as regulations under the Accessibility Act.
