Our Work

Common Terms and Definitions 

The following are definitions of some important terms that guide our work:

Accessibility: is when our environments, services and products and policies are proactively designed and constructed so that people with disabilities can fully and equally participate. It also means being flexible and responsive when people with disabilities tell us something isn’t accessible and removing barriers to make sure they can fully participate.

Disability: 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 (Nova Scotia Accessibility Act).

Accessibility Barriers: anything that hinders the full participation of persons with disabilities, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy, or a practice (Nova Scotia Accessibility Act).

Ableism: the intentional or unintentional discrimination against individuals with disabilities, which stereotypes and generalizes an entire group of people.

First Voice: persons with personal lived experience of a disability or disabilities