Source: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210615006
Government is inviting Nova Scotians to help develop employment accessibility standards, the next phase in work toward the province’s goal of making Nova Scotia accessible by 2030.
Starting today, June 15, interested Nova Scotians can apply to be part of the Employment Standard Development Committee. Half the committee membership must be persons with disabilities or representatives of organizations that represent persons with disabilities.
“We recognize that to achieve our goal of an accessible province by 2030 and make positive impacts on the lives of Nova Scotians with disabilities, we need to innovate and transform all areas of society, including employment,” said Randy Delorey, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “These standards will expand diversity in our workforce and ensure that all Nova Scotians have an equitable opportunity to succeed.”
Employment standards will support persons with disabilities to find, maintain and advance meaningful employment and help make workplaces and employment practices accessible to potential and current employees with disabilities. Standards may address areas such as recruitment and retention, employment supports and services and career planning and development.
The application is available at https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/employment-committee
The deadline for applications is July 14.
Quotes:
Rosalind Penfound, chair, Accessibility Advisory Board
There are many Nova Scotians with disabilities who are ready, willing and able to work. We also know that businesses and employers are facing labour shortages. By preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace, persons with disabilities will be able to participate fully in the labour market and employers will have access to a larger pool of prospective employees.
Quick Facts:
- government has committed to developing accessibility standards in education, the built environment, employment, information and communications, transportation and transportation infrastructure and delivery of goods and services
- the first standard development committees were established in 2019 for education and the built environment, which includes buildings, streets and sidewalks
- work on these areas continues, with initial standards expected to be announced starting in 2022 and implemented in the years following
- work on accessibility standards for goods and services, information and communication and transportation will begin at a rate of one per year, beginning in 2022
- there are 10-20 members on each Standard Development Committee
Additional Resources:
More information on Standard Development Committees can be found at Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Directorate website: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/
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Media Contact:
Heather Fairbairn
Cell: 902-717-2151
Email: Heather.Fairbairn@novascotia.ca