What is the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act?
The Nova Scotia Accessibility Act establishes a framework to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers across the province. Its key objectives are to create an inclusive environment by ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to services, information, and opportunities.
Introduced by Honourable Joanne Bernard, Minister of Community Services, the Act received Royal Assent on April 28, 2017, and came into force on September 18, 2017. It is now part of the Nova Scotia statutes (2017 Statutes, Chapter 2).
The Act covers multiple areas, including:
- Goods and services: Organizations must ensure that their offerings are accessible.
- Information and communications: Digital content, including websites and online services, must be accessible to people with various disabilities.
- Employment: Employers are required to remove barriers in hiring, training, and workplace accommodations.
- Built environment: Physical spaces and facilities must be designed or modified to be accessible.
- Transportation: Accessible transportation services must be provided for all Nova Scotians.
For further details, you can review the official text of Bill 59 on the Nova Scotia Legislature website.
Who does the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act apply to?
The Act is designed to encompass a broad range of organizations operating within Nova Scotia, ensuring that accessibility improvements are widespread. In practice, this means:
Public sector organizations:
- All provincial government departments, agencies, and municipal bodies must comply.
Public institutions
- Public educational institutions, healthcare facilities, libraries, and similar organizations that serve the community.
Private sector organizations and non-profits:
- Businesses and non-profit organizations that provide goods and services to the public are also included.
Examples of organizations affected by the Act:
- Government bodies: Provincial ministries, local municipal offices, and other public service organizations.
- Public institutions: Hospitals, schools, and public libraries.
- Private enterprises: Retailers, service providers, and companies with a significant public interface.
How does the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act relate to web accessibility?
Digital accessibility is a key component of the Act’s broader mandate.
- Digital content & online services: Organizations must ensure that their websites, digital documents, and online applications are accessible to individuals with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments.
- Information and communications standard: While the Act covers a range of accessibility standards, the digital or ICT component requires that online content be designed, developed, and maintained in a manner that meets recognized accessibility guidelines – such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Who enforces the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act?
The enforcement of the Act is overseen by Nova Scotia’s government through its designated accessibility authorities. Typically, this responsibility falls to:
- The Minister of Community Services: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Act and ensuring compliance across the province.
- Designated enforcement bodies: Enable the investigation of complaints and, if necessary, the imposition of corrective measures or penalties against non-compliant organizations.
For more in-depth details on enforcement procedures, further information may be obtained from Nova Scotia’s official resources and regulatory publications.
How does Silktide help me comply with the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act?
Silktide’s automated web accessibility testing platform is designed to help organizations comply with the ACA by:
Automated accessibility scanning
- Checking thousands of pages across your website to identify accessibility issues in the code, design, and content.
- Continuous monitoring to catch issues as your website evolves.
Actionable reporting
- Providing clear explanations and step-by-step instructions on how to fix identified issues.
- Offering ongoing reports and dashboards that help your team track progress over time.
Training & support
Supplementing automated scans with accessibility training programs for your content and development teams to prevent future accessibility problems.
Manual auditing and recommendations
While automated tools handle many tasks, Silktide also recommends manual accessibility testing for nuanced issues—such as ensuring alt text for images accurately describes content—which is often too detailed for automated solutions alone.
Silktide helps ensure your digital content not only meets the minimum legal requirements of the ACA but also provides an inclusive experience for all users.
In summary
The Nova Scotia Accessibility Act (Bill 59) is a landmark piece of legislation that lays the foundation for a more inclusive Nova Scotia by mandating the removal of accessibility barriers across a range of sectors—from physical spaces to digital content. By covering public, private, and non-profit organizations, the Act ensures that all Nova Scotians have equal access to services and information.
For further details, review the official Bill 59 text on the Nova Scotia Legislature website and consider using accessibility tools like Silktide’s platform to keep your digital content compliant and user-friendly.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, including its scope, key components, and relevance to digital accessibility. For specific legal advice or tailored compliance strategies, please consult an accessibility law expert.
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