Nova Scotia has approved its first accessibility standard, setting new requirements for outdoor and recreational spaces as part of the province’s goal to become fully accessible by 2030.
The Built Environment Accessibility Standard, which takes effect on April 1, 2026, will apply to the design and planning of new infrastructure. The standard aims to improve access to public spaces, including better parking options, accessible eating areas and benches in parks, and improved locker and pool facilities in recreation centres.
“Every Nova Scotian deserves equal access to buildings and outdoor spaces. This milestone is crucial in our efforts to create a more accessible province,” said Justice Minister Becky Druhan, who is responsible for the Accessibility Act.
The built environment refers to physical spaces where people live, work, learn and play. The new standard will work alongside amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations to ensure accessibility measures are included in future construction projects.
Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of disability in Canada. Nearly two in five residents over the age of 15 identify as having a disability, and 59 per cent of those individuals report encountering barriers in the built environment, according to government data.
“Nova Scotia has always been an early adopter of new codes and standards. The adoption of the Built Environment Accessibility Standard is no exception and will improve accessibility for all Nova Scotians where they live, work, learn and play, now and in the future,” said George Cotaras, president of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects.
The province is also developing accessibility standards for education, employment, goods and services, public transportation, and information and communication. Public awareness efforts about the built environment standard will continue through 2026.
