Resources for Seniors with Disabilities

•   Access to Travel
•   Accessible Transportation
•   VoicePrint Canada
•   Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
•   Canadian Paraplegic Association of Nova Scotia
•   Community ACCESS-ability Program
•   Disable Persons Commission
•   Accessible Parking, License Plates, and Permits
•   Special Needs of Deaf Seniors
•   Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres
•   Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians
•   Deafness Advocacy Association of Nova Scotia
•   Retirement Planning for Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Access to Travel

Website: www.accesstotravel.gc.ca

This website provides information on accessible transportation and travel across Canada with the aim of making accessible travel easy and enjoyable. The site is sponsored by Transport Canada in partnership with provincial governments and not-for-profit associations.

Accessible Transportation

Transportation services available to seniors with disabilities in Nova Scotia are listed in the transportation section. See page 57 for more information.

VoicePrint Canada

Dartmouth Seniors’ Service Centre

VoicePrint Canada serves all Canadians, particularly those who can’t independently access printed materials – people who are vision-restricted, learning disabled, mobility impaired, in need of literacy skills, learning English as a second language, and others. It is an audio newsstand that broadcasts top stories - national, regional and local - from more than 100 Canadian newspapers and magazines into 8 million homes.

Tune In:

Cable - The secondary audio program (SAP) of CBC Newsworld
Satellite - Star Choice: Channel 825,
Express Vu: Channels 49 and 967,
Look TV: Channel 400
Website: www.voiceprintcanada.com

For more information, contact:

Canadian Paraplegic Association of Nova Scotia

This organization assists people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self-reliance, and full community participation.

For more information, contact:

Community ACCESS-ability Program

Grants to improve access to community facilities for persons with disabilities are provided by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Up to two-thirds of the direct and indirect costs of renovations, installations, or equipment for accessibility-related capital improvements, to a maximum of $10,000 is available. Projects funded to date include wheelchair ramps and lifts, automatic doors, and accessible washrooms. Proposals for ACCESS-ability grants are welcome from non-profit community groups and municipalities. Forms are available at Access Nova Scotia offices across the province, on-line, or from the contact person below.

For more information, contact:

Disable Persons Commission

The Commission helps to ensure that the concerns of Nova Scotians with disabilities are promoted and considered. The Commission reviews government policies and programs relating to or affecting people with disabilities to make sure these policies and programs are appropriate, effective, and reflect the needs and concerns of the community.

For more information, contact:

Accessible Parking, License Plates, and Permits

To ensure those needing to park close to buildings due to mobility impairments can do so, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, through its Registry of Motor Vehicles, distributes accessible parking plates and permits to qualified individuals (physician referral required.) There is no charge associated with a Permanent or Temporary Accessible Parking Permit, which is displayed on the rearview mirror. Regular registration fees must be paid in order to place a license plate on your car and the applicant must be the plate owner and principal operator of the vehicle.

For more information, contact:

Special Needs of Deaf Seniors

Northwoodcare Inc. has a unique living environment designed especially for deaf seniors. Special services include a newly renovated floor with visual signals, closed captioning, TTY telephones, and time-released appliances. Staff are trained in sign language and deaf culture. This residence offers companionship and a relief from isolation that the deaf so often experience. Independent living apartments and personal care suites, for those who need help with daily living, are available. Residents can participate in the many programs and services offered at Northwood. Signing volunteers are available to help residents take part in scheduled activities.

For more information, contact:

Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres

These centres offer help to people with hearing problems or difficulties with speaking, understanding speech and communicating in their own language.

For more information, contact:

Locations

Amherst: (902) 667-1141
Antigonish: (902) 867-4197
Bridgewater: (902) 543-4603 ext. 2248
Dartmouth: (902) 464-3084
Digby: (902) 245-2501 ext. 265
Evanston: (902) 625-3100 ext. 257
Glace Bay: (902) 849-9316
Halifax: (902) 423-7354
Kentville: (902) 679-2657 ext. 1400
Liverpool: (902) 354-3437 ext. 246
Lower Sackville: (902) 869-6150
Middleton:(902) 825-6160 ext. 233
Musquodoboit Harbour:(902) 889-4117
New Glasgow: (902) 752-7600 ext. 2520
Pictou: (902) 485-2318
Sheet Harbour: (902) 885-3628
Shelburne:(902) 875-3011 ext. 269
Springhill: (902) 597-3773
Sydney: (902) 842-9311
Sydney Mines: (902) 736-2831 ext. 146
Truro: (902) 893-5512
Waterville: (902) 538-3103 ext. 156
Windsor: (902) 792-2084
Yarmouth: (902) 742-3542 ext. 364

Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians

The Society develops and manages coordinated support services that enable deaf and hard of hearing people to fully utilize public and community services. Information and referral, and assistive devices may be purchased and sometimes borrowed. The Society is also responsible for the coordination of interpreter services to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing clients.

For more information, contact:

or

Deafness Advocacy Association of Nova Scotia

The association aims to reduce barriers and increase opportunities of the deaf and hard of hearing and late deafened Nova Scotians.

For more information, contact: