Accessibility in Kings County
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On March 19, 2021 the Municipality of the County of Kings and the Villages of Aylesford, Canning, Cornwallis Square, Greenwood, Kingston, New Minas and Port Williams came together to form the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC). The JAAC will play a pivotal role in helping the Municipality and the Villages to become accessible communities that comply with Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act (2017).
Beginning in September 2021, the Municipality and the Villages through the JAAC invited area residents to review and provide feedback on the status of accessibility in our community, as we are looking to ensure that all residents have fair and appropriate access to services and resources.
The Accessibility Plan development process ran from September 2021 - March 2022, and has resulted in the first Accessibility Plan for the Municipality and the Villages. This plan will be foundational for future decision-making regarding all things accessible within the Municipality, the Villages, and the Kings Transit Authority. After many months of hard word, the JAAC is pleased to have passed "Our Joint Accessibility Plan" on March 9, 2022.
What is the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act?
- 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 Kings Region accessible to all before 2030 by preventing and removing barriers that restrict people from fully participating in society.
Who is on the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC)?
The Committee consists of sixteen (16) voting members and includes:
- One (1) member of Municipal Council, who is also a member of the Kings Transit Authority Board of Directors, and one member from each of the seven (7) Village Commissions; and
- Eight (8) members of the public who either live with disabilities, or who work or volunteer with organizations that work with people living with disabilities.
Following are links to more information about the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act and the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee:
Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate
Inter-municipal Service Agreement between the Municipality of the County of Kings and the Villages to form a Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
For accessibility comments, questions or feedback email: kingsaccessibility@countyofkings.ca
Everyday Accessibility
Click on the topics below to see brief articles on ways to implement accessibility into everyday work and life. Have a suggestion for an Everyday Accessibility topic? Email kingsaccessibility@countyofkings.ca.