Did you know Nova Scotia was the first province to officially recognize Access Awareness Week back in 1987? It was inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour. For the past 38 years, communities across the province have marked this week with events, conversations and creative initiatives aimed at driving change.
This year, all of Canada celebrates National AccessAbility Awareness Week from May 25 to 31. Nova Scotia’s theme is “Our Voices, Our Votes: Disability Rights in Action.”
It’s a powerful reminder that true inclusion goes beyond access—it means full and equal participation in all areas of life. The theme highlights three key ideas:
- Our Voices–Uplifting the lived experiences of people with disabilities and ensuring their voices are heard through advocacy, art, education, and leadership.
- Our Votes–Making sure community life is accessible, and that everyone has the opportunity to shape their communities through voting and public decision-making.
- Disability Rights in Action–Turning awareness into meaningful change by removing barriers and building communities where everyone can participate fully.
With 37.9 percent of Nova Scotians identifying as having a disability—the highest rate in Canada—this work has never been more important. It’s a call to action, not just a statistic. While the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act (2017) and Canada’s federal Accessibility Act (2019) have laid a strong foundation, achieving a barrier-free province and country by 2040 will take ongoing effort, collaboration and commitment.
Access Awareness Week is a chance for all of us to reflect, learn and act. By listening to voices from the disability community, celebrating their contributions and working together to remove barriers, we can build a more inclusive, accessible and equitable future for everyone.
