Restaurateurs in Nova Scotia can receive government funding to help them comply with a recent Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission decision that ordered food safety officials to ensure bars, restaurants and other foodservice establishments provide accessible washrooms for customers in wheelchairs. (Click here to learn more about that decision.)
The Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program provides funding to eligible businesses, which they can use to install ramps, accessible washrooms and door openers, implement education and training, introduce assistive devices for disabled employees and customers, or augment information and communication assistance.
Small businesses in Nova Scotia can apply for funding from the program to renovate their establishments or introduce other measures to improve accessibility for customers and employees.
The government will pay up to two thirds of the capped amount for each approved project to assist with the objectives below:
Built Environment: ($50,000 cap)
Remove physical barriers for persons to access business services by installing ramps, accessible washrooms, door openers and other projects.
Accessible Communications Services: ($30,000 cap)
Ensure that all customers, clients and employees can access information related to a business.
Assistive Devices: ($30,000 cap)
Ensure that employees and consumers who are persons with disabilities have the devices they need to effectively do their jobs and access places of business.
Accessibility Training: ($40,000 cap)
Provide 100 per cent of funding dollars for the Rick Hansen Foundation certification training.
For more information, applications and guidelines, click here to visit the Nova Scotia department of Communities, Culture and Heritage website.
If you have any questions or would like more information, you can get in touch with Luc Erjavec, Restaurants Canada Vice President, Atlantic Canada, at lerjavec@restaurantscanada.org or 1-800-387-5649 ext. 5000.
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