The Digby Accessibility Plan
What is this plan about?
The Municipality of Digby, the Town of Digby, the Digby Area Recreation Commission, and the Villages of Tiverton, Freeport, Westport, and Weymouth want to ensure that all area residents have fair and appropriate access to Municipal and Village services. This plan aims to ensure that all residents feel welcome, respected, and valued.
What is the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act?
In 2017, government passed the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. It outlines the steps we have to take as a province to make sure every Nova Scotian can fully participate in our society. The Accessibility Act aligns with the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognizes accessibility as a human right. This change will require collaboration, innovation and transformation among government organizations, public and private sectors, communities and all Nova Scotians.
The Act defines a disability as a physical, mental, intellectual, learning or sensory impairment, including an episodic disability that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders an individual’s full and effective participation in society. The Accessibility Act and the Municipality and the Villages recognize accessibility as a human right, and have set a goal to make Nova Scotia and the Digby area accessible to all before 2030 by preventing and removing barriers that restrict people from fully participating in society. Municipalities and Villages were mandated by the province to develop and implement accessibility plans by April 1, 2022, and have them updated every three years.
Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) advises and assists the Municipal & Town Councils, and Villages in promoting and facilitating a barrier-free for citizens of all abilities, including persons with disabilities. This aim shall be achieved through the review of municipal policies, programs and services and the identification, removal and prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
The AAC consists of the Accessibility Coordinator, staff, and one elected official and one citizen member from both the Town and Municipality (4 voting members). The committee meets on a quarterly basis.
To learn more about Accessibility in Nova Scotia, please visit their website here.
For accessibility comments, questions or feedback please see the contact information below:
Taylor Robinson
Accessibility Coordinator
(902) 245-4056
