Program Background

Nova Scotia passed accessibility legislation in 2017, committing to a more equitable and accessible province. The Accessibility Act recognizes accessibility as a human right and aims to prevent and remove barriers that restrict people with disabilities from participating fully in society.

In 2021 municipalities and villages were prescribed as public sector bodies under the Accessibility Act. Municipalities and villages have since identified the need for additional resources to support them in building capacity to implement their accessibility plans and meet the commitments within their plans.

The Municipal Accessibility Support Program, and a dedicated staff, the Municipal Accessibility Support Coordinator, is a response to this need. It is a joint program between the Accessibility Directorate(links to an external website) and the Association of Municipal Administrators, Nova Scotia (AMANS)(links to an external website), and is funded by the Accessibility Directorate.

The program is also supported by the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM)(links to an external website), the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (DMAH)(links to an external website), and the Association of Nova Scotia Villages(links to an external website).