By Chloe Hannan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Guysborough Journal
MULGRAVE: At its May 5 meeting, council members discussed new goals. They decided that they want to go beyond physical upgrades, including improving online access, enhancing hearing clarity at meetings and designing digital content with visual impairments in mind.
But, with the town’s accessibility plan still evolving, and questions around the committee’s activity, there’s interest in solidifying how that progress will unfold.
“There is a small accessibility committee, which includes [Councillor] Helen [Michel] and [Chief Administrative Officer] Dave [Gray],” Mayor Ron Chisholm said. “I’m not entirely sure what the accessibility plan entails, but we need to get down to see what the details are and go from there.”
The Town of Mulgrave accessibility plan for 2025-28 outlines commitments in four key areas: the built environment, communication, transportation and employment. It also includes a section on the accessibility advisory committee, which is mandated by the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act to include at least 50 per cent membership from people with disabilities or their representatives.
Despite the existing plan, the town’s next steps remain somewhat unclear.
“I’m not on the committee myself,” Chisholm added, “but I do know they’re supposed to start it up and get some priorities in place.”
This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Mayor Joanne Maas Latimer, who said council is still finding its footing.
“We’re new, and we’re trying to learn what to do and where we stand; so, at this point, it’s still kind of grey,” she said. “We’re trying to do our research to bring us to where we should be.”
Both agree that accessibility goes beyond ramps and door openers – something already reflected in the plan. It references improvements at the town’s administration building funded through the Community ACCESS-Ability Grant Program and the federal Enabling Accessibility Fund.
“There’s work being done at the municipal office building to get things where they need to be,” Maas Latimer said. “These things are part of the plan because they’re not just about accessibility.”
Chisholm confirmed that additional provincial support is expected.
“There’s been government funding to help expand the accessibility plan,” he said.
The plan also points to partnerships with the Transit Association of Guysborough (TAG), including the availability of an accessible van and the installation of a temporary electric vehicle charger at the Mulgrave fire hall.
But the structure and effectiveness of the committee remains a key issue. While Chisholm said it exists in some form, Maas Latimer wasn’t so sure.
“Having an accessibility committee is a requirement of the province,” she said. “I’m not sure how to get more people involved in the committee. I’d like to see the town more engaged in everything.”
The plan describes the committee as central to reviewing the municipality’s progress, advising on new policies, consulting the community and updating council on the accessibility impact of its decisions. A full assessment of results is also expected every three years.
Chisholm said that while he wasn’t ready to make specific commitments until the plan is reviewed, accessibility will remain a focus for council going forward.
“They’re supposed to start it up and get some priorities in place.”