It may not rank alongside beaches, Maud Lewis and lobster fishing as an integral part of Nova Scotia’s identity, but with 229,430 Nova Scotians reporting at least one disability—a full 30 percent of the population as of 2017—we have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in Canada. Despite this stat, Nova Scotians with disabilities […]
accessibility
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax regional council’s new rules for sidewalk obstruction hope to curb hassle for pedestrians
Mitigation of development and construction impacts, the rules surrounding shutting down sidewalks and streets for construction, have been updated to protect pedestrians as the importance of new developments continues to grow across HRM. The old guidelines allowed construction sites to temporarily close or use only a portion of the street and area adjacent to the […]
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‘There are no rules’ when it comes to restaurant accessibility in Halifax
I t was date night. We’d called ahead and made our arrangements. We arrived at the restaurant early to avoid the crowds. Yet we were met with looks of uncertainty and a 10-inch step at the entrance. The server left to find a ramp; turns out the only one was the loading ramp to the […]
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HRM’s shopping centres are a no-go zone for folks with accessibility needs
Q uestion: What did the pedestrian’s $100 bill say to the Walmart in Bayers Lake? Answer: You ain’t getting none of this! Bayers Lake Business Park and Dartmouth Crossing are two of the busiest shopping areas in Halifax Regional Municipality, but are the most neglected when it comes to accessibility. HRM has done well with […]
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There’s nothing spontaneous about a night out in Halifax for someone who uses a mobility device
It’s been two years since Vicky Levack has gone dancing—like proper dancing. DJ and lights and a hot outfit. On Saturday she dons a red dress, red lipstick to match. Diamond earrings and a black clutch and black lacey tights—seriously ready to hit the town. “All I want is a Purple Haze and a cute […]
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Which Halifax bars and clubs are accessible—and which ones aren’t
How accessible are Halifax’s dancefloors? The Coast went on a bar crawl to find out. Only downtown Halifax bars with a dancefloor are included in this survey (but you can find inaccessible watering holes and restaurants all over the city). Establishments earn one star (⭐) for having an accessible entrance, one if a wheelchair can […]
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Halifax’s accessibility advisory committee’s town hall dominated by talk of inadequate transportation.
A few dozen residents turned up for a Tuesday evening town hall discussion on accessibility in HRM at Cole Harbour Place. The Advisory Committee on Accessibility town hall panel included representatives from Halifax’s winter operations and recreation teams, 311 contact centres and more. Attendees made a point of discussing the state of Halifax’s accessible transit […]
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Autism Nova Scotia’s healthy relationships and sexuality program could help us all
Love is hard. Sex is complicated. Consent is mandatory but not always given and sex-ed curriculums don’t necessarily tick all the boxes. These things get even more complicated for teens and adults on the autism spectrum. Autism Nova Scotia’s Healthy Relationships, Sexuality and Autism program fills in some of these gaps by supporting teens and […]
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Halifax Pride’s low-sensory zone brings all the fun but less of the noise
Making space for marginalized groups is what Pride has always been about. And this year, it’s continuing to do the extra work to push that space even further. The Pride parade’s low-sensory viewing area returns for its second year at the festival. The space gives an elevated view of the parade and ensures reduced noise, […]
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The fight for fair housing
The room was packed. The chairs filled first. Extra chairs were brought out. Then the aisles filled with people until finally, the doors opened so attendees could pour out and watch the panelists from outside. The No More Warehousing: Time for Housing and Dignity for Nova Scotia’s Severely Physically Disabled panel was held at the Halifax […]
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Halifax taxi reform highlights accessibility
Uber’s inevitable arrival inches closer after council’s transportation standing committee sent the Vehicle for Hire Licensing Program Review through to council Tuesday morning. With a few amendments, the staff report, based on Hara Consultants review will make big changes for the municipality’s taxi drivers from increasing training for drivers, adding GPS in cars, making credit […]
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Sidewalks from hell
Halifax’s winter sidewalk conditions continue down a slippery slope. Last week, Halifax Needham MLA Lisa Roberts fell on the ice and broke her wrist, almost sliding onto the road in the process. “When I was picking myself up, I was virtually on the street,” she says. It was more than a single bad patch of […]