The Built Environment Accessibility Standard was approved, making it Nova Scotia’s first accessibility standard under the Accessibility Act!

Government has approved the standard this week. This is the first of six accessibility standards that Government has committed to enacting as regulations under the Accessibility Act.

The Built Environment Accessibility Standard is focused on the accessibility of outdoor and recreational spaces. It introduces technical design requirements for new and redeveloped infrastructure starting April 1, 2026, as well as new accessibility planning requirements, which are due April 1, 2026. Learn more at the Accessibility Directorate’s website.
 

Accessibility of buildings has been addressed through amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations. Together, the Built Environment Accessibility Standard and the Nova Scotia Building Code will make a more accessible built environment in Nova Scotia.
 

Nova Scotians have been engaged throughout the standard development process. This work could not have been achieved without the invaluable contributions of Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Advisory Board and its Built Environment Standard Development Committee.

The Accessibility Directorate will support organizations to understand and comply with the requirements of the standard. A series of awareness presentations will be made available. Materials are available online, including an overview of the standard, a description of the standard in plain language and in ASL, and videos about the standard.