Built Environment Standard Development Committee

Three people walking down a sidewalk having a conversation. An adult is pushing a person in a powerchair and a younger person is walking beside them.

The Accessibility Advisory Board established a committee of members with expertise in the built environment to develop recommendations on an accessibility standard for the built environment. This includes making buildings and outdoor spaces like trails, parks, and beaches accessible.  

The Built Environment Standard Development Committee developed recommendations in two phases. The Accessibility Advisory Board submitted the recommendations to the Minister of Justice in 2020 and 2021.

These recommendations are being used to prepare Nova Scotia’s accessibility standard for the built environment. 

Phase 1 recommendations for an accessibility standard in the built environment 

Phase 1 Full Recommendations

This PDF Document contains the full Phase 1 Recommendations made by the Built Environment Standard Development Committee

Open PDF
Phase 1 Plain Language Summary

This PDF document contains a summary of Phase 1 recommendations written in Plain Language

Open PDF

The Built Environment Standard Development Committee Phase 1 Recommendations in American Sign Language (ASL) Video

Phase 2 recommendations for an accessibility standard in the built environment 

Phase 2 Full Recommendations

This PDF Document are the full Phase 2 Recommendations made by the Built Environment Standard Development Committee

Open PDF
Phase 2 Plain Language Summary

This PDF document contains a summary of Phase 2 recommendations written in Plain Language

Open PDF

The Built Environment Standard Development Committee Phase 2 Recommendations in American Sign Language (ASL) Video

About the committee

The majority of committee members identify as having a disability. Committee members include:

  • persons with disabilities  
  • representatives from organizations representing persons with disabilities
  • representatives of organizations likely to be affected by the standard, such as the municipal, construction and business sectors
  • representatives from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Department of Public Works 

Committee Members  

  • Laurie Cranton, Chair - Past Councillor, Municipality of the County of Inverness, Margaree Centre
  • Ramzi Kawar, Vice-Chair Past Manager, Housing Nova Scotia, Bedford
  • Paul Burt - Manager, Building, Planning and Licensing, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Sydney
  • Douglas Foster - Planning Specialist, New Dawn Enterprises, Sydney River
  • Mohammad Harb - Trained architect, community volunteer, Halifax
  • Donna Hoar - Vice-president, Grey Cardinal Management Inc., Mineville
  • Andrew Jantzen - Research assistant, Electronic technologist, Nova Scotia Community College, Halifax
  • Megan Gainer - Architect, RHAD Architects, Dartmouth
  • Earl MacKenzie - Director, Public Works, Town of New Glasgow, New Glasgow
  • Sheena Moore - Senior Architect, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Halifax  
  • Allison Moz – Way-finding partner, Co-owner, eyecandy SIGNS Inc., Halifax
  • Peter Polley - Founder and President, POLYCORP Group, Halifax  
  • Jennifer Powley - Urban Planner, Halifax
  • Joseph Rogers - Building Code Co-ordinator, Department of Municipal Affairs, Timberlea
  • Ross Sampson - Retired Production Supervisor, Beaver Bank
  • Saira Shah - Planner, Municipality of the District of West Hants, Lower Sackville
  • Gordie Snook - General Manager, Facilities and Operations, Town of Port Hawkesbury, Port Hawkesbury
  • Johanna Stork - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Nova Scotia, Halifax
  • Hannah Wood - Owner, Fulcrum Accessibility Consulting, Halifax