Role of the Board
The Nova Scotia Accessibility Advisory Board is a Board of the Government of Nova Scotia Department of Justice. It is responsible for advising and making recommendations to the Minister of Justice on issues about accessibility and disability.
The Board has up to 12 members that are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice for a term of three years, up to a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The majority of members must be persons with disabilities, Deaf and/or neurodivergent persons. Board members have a diverse range of expertise and experience. They:
- Are active champions for accessibility with knowledge of issues that are important in disability communities
- Have leadership skills and/or previous board experience
- Have knowledge of and experience in public policy, administration and community engagement.
- Bring perspectives from groups that will be subject to accessibility standards
History of the Board
The Accessibility Advisory Board was created in 2018 as part of the requirements of the Accessibility Act to advise and make recommendations about accessibility in Nova Scotia to the Minister of Justice. The Board:
- Suggests ways government can make Nova Scotia more accessible, including measures, policies, practices and requirements.
- Advises whether government’s work aligns with the Accessibility Act.
- Recommends the order in which accessibility standards should be developed and sets timelines for when they should be put into action.
- Sets long-term goals that can be met under the Accessibility Act.
- Respond to requests for accessibility advice from the Minister of Justice.
Board Values
The Accessibility Advisory Board is committed to the following values:
First Voice: People with disabilities are experts on accessibility. Our work is guided by their lived experience and professional knowledge. We make their points of view our priority.
Respect: We must be respectful and considerate to each other. We must also be respectful and considerate to everyone who works with the board. We encourage open and direct discussions. We welcome different points of view.
Human Rights: Accessibility is a human right. We are committed to making sure that all Nova Scotians have the same rights, as stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Diversity: We work for all Nova Scotians. We look for accessibility solutions for people with different abilities, disabilities, and backgrounds. There are many kinds of disabilities. We are mindful that people with disabilities have diverse lived experiences, identities, and circumstances.
Collaboration: We encourage people from different sectors with diverse interests to all work together. We are mindful of the different points of view about accessibility that interested and affected groups hold. These groups include government, business, and community organizations.
Innovation: We must be creative, responsive, and flexible to make Nova Scotia more accessible. Our work considers both well-established and new research on accessibility.
Board Policies and Governing Documents
Nova Scotia Accessibility Act: PDF Version
The Nova Scotia Accessibility Act from the Nova Scotia Legislature.
Accessibility Advisory Board Terms of Reference
A document that explains our mandate, how we will work together and our roles and responsibilities.
Accessibility Advisory Board Consensus Decision Making Model
A document that explains how we make decisions.
A video reading of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act with captions and American Sign Language