Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Advisory Board released a set of recommendations to guide the province’s accessibility employment standard for more inclusive workplaces.

The members of the committee, which was established in 2021, are persons with disabilities and other experts who are recommending a phased approach to improving employment barriers in the areas of recruitment, retention, advancement, workplace accommodations, and emergency preparedness, which begins with creating a space that is universally accessible.

As stated in the full report, “In Nova Scotia, 35.3 per cent of persons with disabilities are not in the labour force, compared to 16.5 percent of Nova Scotians without disabilities. This disparity, commonly described as “discouraged workers”, reflects the many barriers and inequities experienced by working-aged persons with disabilities.”

“Accessible employment is important because it ensures that all Nova Scotians can fully participate in our workforce, and employers across Nova Scotia are supported to prevent and remove barriers to employment faced by persons with disabilities,” said Accessibility Advisory Board Chair Max Chauvin,

While there may be exemptions depending on employer size, the board is generally recommending that employers have:

• a workplace accessibility policy that ensures recruitment practices are accessible;
• evacuation and shelter-in-place plans to ensure employees with disabilities are safe during an emergency; and
• reasonable workplace accommodations so that everyone has what they need to do their job.

This specific standard is one of six accessibility standards being developed as part of the Access by Design 2030 strategy.