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Accessibility Strategy

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June 2024

The consultation period for the municipality's Accessibility Strategy has ended. Thank you to all residents who contributed their feedback during the public engagement phase of this project.

Nest steps

From June to September 2024, the Accessibility Advisor, in partnership with the Accessibility Strategy Task Force, will consider all feedback to inform the development of an updated Accessibility Strategy.


Share your feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region

The municipality is seeking feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region to help inform an update of the Accessibility Strategy, approved by Halifax Regional Council in May 2021. The strategy outlines 30 actions for improving accessibility and representation for individuals with disabilities and aligns with the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. The update is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

Residents are invited to share their feedback at a series ten in-person and virtual engagement sessions available across the Halifax region. The same information will be presented at all sessions:

  • Wednesday, April 17, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Wednesday, April 17, 6-8 p.m. at Alderney Library (60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth) in the Helen Creighton Room
  • Thursday, April 18, 6-9 p.m. at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, for newcomers and immigrants, Mumford Professional Building (Suite 2120, 6960 Mumford Road, Halifax), Classroom 18
  • Wednesday, April 24, 1-3 p.m. at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, for Indigenous communities, (2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax), in the Joan Glode Room
  • Wednesday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax), in the BMO Room
  • Thursday, April 25, 6-8 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Wednesday, May 1, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Wednesday, May 1, 6-8 p.m. AKOMA Bauld Centre, for African Nova Scotian communities, (1018 Main Street, Westphal)
  • Thursday, May 2, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Thursday, May 2, 6-8 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax), in the BMO Room

*Registration is not required, except for virtual sessions, where residents are asked to email accessibility@halifax.ca to receive a link to participate.

What to expect during the sessions: Residents are invited to provide feedback on the strategy’s actions, which fall under five key areas: Built Environment, Goods & Services, Information & Communication, Employment and Public Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure. A formal presentation will be delivered at each session and multiple formats will be available for attendees to share feedback, including written and verbal. Municipal staff will be available to answer questions at each session.

For those unable to attend the in-person or virtual community engagement sessions but would like to provide their feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region, please contact 311 by May 2, 2024.

Feedback will be summarized in a What We Heard report that will be shared on the project webpage.


About the Accessibility Strategy

In May 2021, Halifax Regional Council approved the municipality’s Accessibility Strategy, which outlines 30 action items to help improve accessibility and representation for people with disabilities. During the community engagement taking place throughout April and May 2024, the municipality is seeking residents’ feedback on 24 of these action items. Let us know if you think the action items are still relevant, if they will help improve accessibility in the Halifax region and if you think there is anything missing from this strategy. Your input will help inform an update to the strategy, expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

Completed and ongoing action items

  • an increased number of accessible taxis throughout the municipality
  • internal work is ongoing to ensure the strategy aligns with other municipal and provincial projects

Public transportation and transportation Infrastructure

  • create a system where residents can book Access-a-Bus services online and create an automatic fare system to improve Access-a-Bus service
  • create a system for booking all types of accessible transportation within the Halifax region (e.g. taxis, Access-a-Bus, ferries)
  • create a passenger survey to evaluate accessible transportation services
  • ensure all bus stops are accessible and well maintained
  • provide more information to the disability community about snow removal

Built environment

  • ensure that all the future municipal infrastructure (e.g. buildings, parks, municipally-owned streets) meet a high-level standard of accessibility (Rick Hansen Gold Certification and CSA B651-18 standards)
  • ensure that all current municipal infrastructure meet a high-level standard of accessibility (Rick Hansen Gold Certification and CSA B651-18 standards)
  • create a system to check buildings, parks, playgrounds and trails to ensure areas stay accessible
  • ensure all signs, walkways and equipment for beaches, parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities are accessible for people with disabilities

Goods and services

  • improve services for accessible recreation to reflect increasing demand (e.g. hiring more recreational support employees)

Information and communication

  • increase training for municipal employees on how to serve and accommodate people with disabilities
  • create an internal guide for the municipality’s promotional materials (e.g. posters, social media) to standardize accessible content
  • ensure external and internal websites meet a high-level of standard for accessibility (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Minimum Level AA)
  • use plain language and clear formatting throughout external communications
  • provide additional information on halifax.ca about accessibility and update information regularly

Equitable employment at the municipality

  • collect and track information about the number of municipal employees who self-identify as having a disability
  • ensure that all municipal job postings list the kind of accommodations that are available for the job and during the hiring process
  • develop a Workplace Accommodation Policy that outlines a formal process for how the municipality will provide accommodations for employees and job candidates with disabilities
  • ensure employees in management roles within the municipality receive training about workplace accessibility
  • establish partnerships with schools to provide work placements and internship opportunities for students with disabilities
  • review the municipality’s hiring practices to ensure equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities
  • develop a system to cross-promote job postings with agencies who support job seekers with disabilities

June 2024

The consultation period for the municipality's Accessibility Strategy has ended. Thank you to all residents who contributed their feedback during the public engagement phase of this project.

Nest steps

From June to September 2024, the Accessibility Advisor, in partnership with the Accessibility Strategy Task Force, will consider all feedback to inform the development of an updated Accessibility Strategy.


Share your feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region

The municipality is seeking feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region to help inform an update of the Accessibility Strategy, approved by Halifax Regional Council in May 2021. The strategy outlines 30 actions for improving accessibility and representation for individuals with disabilities and aligns with the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. The update is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

Residents are invited to share their feedback at a series ten in-person and virtual engagement sessions available across the Halifax region. The same information will be presented at all sessions:

  • Wednesday, April 17, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Wednesday, April 17, 6-8 p.m. at Alderney Library (60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth) in the Helen Creighton Room
  • Thursday, April 18, 6-9 p.m. at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, for newcomers and immigrants, Mumford Professional Building (Suite 2120, 6960 Mumford Road, Halifax), Classroom 18
  • Wednesday, April 24, 1-3 p.m. at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, for Indigenous communities, (2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax), in the Joan Glode Room
  • Wednesday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax), in the BMO Room
  • Thursday, April 25, 6-8 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Wednesday, May 1, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Wednesday, May 1, 6-8 p.m. AKOMA Bauld Centre, for African Nova Scotian communities, (1018 Main Street, Westphal)
  • Thursday, May 2, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*
  • Thursday, May 2, 6-8 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax), in the BMO Room

*Registration is not required, except for virtual sessions, where residents are asked to email accessibility@halifax.ca to receive a link to participate.

What to expect during the sessions: Residents are invited to provide feedback on the strategy’s actions, which fall under five key areas: Built Environment, Goods & Services, Information & Communication, Employment and Public Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure. A formal presentation will be delivered at each session and multiple formats will be available for attendees to share feedback, including written and verbal. Municipal staff will be available to answer questions at each session.

For those unable to attend the in-person or virtual community engagement sessions but would like to provide their feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region, please contact 311 by May 2, 2024.

Feedback will be summarized in a What We Heard report that will be shared on the project webpage.


About the Accessibility Strategy

In May 2021, Halifax Regional Council approved the municipality’s Accessibility Strategy, which outlines 30 action items to help improve accessibility and representation for people with disabilities. During the community engagement taking place throughout April and May 2024, the municipality is seeking residents’ feedback on 24 of these action items. Let us know if you think the action items are still relevant, if they will help improve accessibility in the Halifax region and if you think there is anything missing from this strategy. Your input will help inform an update to the strategy, expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

Completed and ongoing action items

  • an increased number of accessible taxis throughout the municipality
  • internal work is ongoing to ensure the strategy aligns with other municipal and provincial projects

Public transportation and transportation Infrastructure

  • create a system where residents can book Access-a-Bus services online and create an automatic fare system to improve Access-a-Bus service
  • create a system for booking all types of accessible transportation within the Halifax region (e.g. taxis, Access-a-Bus, ferries)
  • create a passenger survey to evaluate accessible transportation services
  • ensure all bus stops are accessible and well maintained
  • provide more information to the disability community about snow removal

Built environment

  • ensure that all the future municipal infrastructure (e.g. buildings, parks, municipally-owned streets) meet a high-level standard of accessibility (Rick Hansen Gold Certification and CSA B651-18 standards)
  • ensure that all current municipal infrastructure meet a high-level standard of accessibility (Rick Hansen Gold Certification and CSA B651-18 standards)
  • create a system to check buildings, parks, playgrounds and trails to ensure areas stay accessible
  • ensure all signs, walkways and equipment for beaches, parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities are accessible for people with disabilities

Goods and services

  • improve services for accessible recreation to reflect increasing demand (e.g. hiring more recreational support employees)

Information and communication

  • increase training for municipal employees on how to serve and accommodate people with disabilities
  • create an internal guide for the municipality’s promotional materials (e.g. posters, social media) to standardize accessible content
  • ensure external and internal websites meet a high-level of standard for accessibility (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Minimum Level AA)
  • use plain language and clear formatting throughout external communications
  • provide additional information on halifax.ca about accessibility and update information regularly

Equitable employment at the municipality

  • collect and track information about the number of municipal employees who self-identify as having a disability
  • ensure that all municipal job postings list the kind of accommodations that are available for the job and during the hiring process
  • develop a Workplace Accommodation Policy that outlines a formal process for how the municipality will provide accommodations for employees and job candidates with disabilities
  • ensure employees in management roles within the municipality receive training about workplace accessibility
  • establish partnerships with schools to provide work placements and internship opportunities for students with disabilities
  • review the municipality’s hiring practices to ensure equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities
  • develop a system to cross-promote job postings with agencies who support job seekers with disabilities