Access Awareness Week May 26 - June 1, 2025

This year's Nova Scotia’s Access Awareness Week is May 26 to June 1, 2025.

Access Awareness Week gives Nova Scotians a chance to learn about the work of disability advocates and leaders across the province, while better understanding the barriers that still exist for persons with disabilities.

Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia (PAANS) a cross sectoral committee of the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities who plan and coordinate events, including:

Flag Raising, Proclamation Ceremony, and the Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards Presentation

Date: May 26, 2025 | Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Location: Halifax City Hall (1841 Argyle St, Halifax, NS)

Kicking off Access Awareness Week Nova Scotia with a flag raising and proclamation of the week from the Halifax Regional Municipality to showcase the importance of access awareness. After the proclamation will be the presentation of the Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards to celebrate the community leaders who have taken action toward increasing accessibility and improving the lives for people with disabilities.

Please register here

Panel Discussion: Rights in Action - Lived Experience Leading Policy

Date: May 27, 2025 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Location: Online via Zoom (Register Here)

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on disability rights advocacy to government action. Experts and advocates will explore the journey from awareness to tangible change to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.

Panelists

• Dr. Linda Campbell, NS Accessibility Advisory Board
• Rabia Khedr, Disability Without Poverty
• Vicky Levack, Disability Rights Coalition

Scholarship Luncheon

Date: May 29, 2025 | Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Location: Atlantica Hotel, (1980 Robie St. at Quinpool, Halifax)

Celebrate the accomplishments students with disabilities joining our luncheon. This luncheon will be for the 2025 recipients of the scholarships for students with disabilities administered by the PAANS committee and presented by our sponsors.

Panel Discussion: Electing People with Disabilities

Date: May 30, 2025 | Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM | Location: Online via Zoom (Register Here)

Panelists:

• Stephanie Cadieux, Chief Accessibility Officer (Government of Canada, former, MLA & Cabinet Minister (Surrey-Panorama, BC)
• Carla Qualtrough, Former MP & Cabinet Minister (Delta, BC)
• Gary Mattie, Municipal Councilor (Antigonish, NS)
• Kevin Murphy, Former MLA & Speaker (Eastern Shore, NS)

Topic:

Nova Scotians recently participated in three elections at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. While little official data exists about the participation of persons with disabilities in elected office, anecdotally evidence suggests engagement in this area of our democracy is very low. But why

Panelists share insights and experiences navigating elected office and barriers to full inclusion within the world of politics. Learn about 2014’s Forum 29 and the establishment of Canadian and Commonwealth Parliamentary Committees of Persons with Disabilities, and what could be done to support candidates with disabilities to find their point of entry – through volunteering, civic engagement or seeking election.

Host/Moderator: Anne MacRae

Highlight events