• How do I apply for a Disability Travel Card?
• If I am anticipating the need to have a prescription filled, what is the procedure if I do not live in the province?
• Are there places in Nova Scotia where I can rent health equipment while I am on vacation?
• Are there companies in Nova Scotia that can refill my oxygen tank if I am in need?
• Is it easy for me to get on and off local buses in Nova Scotia? What options are available for inner-city travel?
• Are accessible taxis readily available in the cities and towns of Nova Scotia? What about other accessible vehicles?
• Are the major malls accessible?
• Are your trains suited for those traveling with disabilities?
• In general, are downtown areas fairly accessible?
• What are my options for traveling between cities?
• As a person traveling with a disability, how can I expect my needs to be met at your airport terminals?
• Would I feel confident traveling on one of your ferries?
• Are nature paths in NS Provincial Parks accessible, and how would I know if the terrain is too rough for me?
• Are hotels in Nova Scotia equipped to handle the needs of guests with various disabilities?
• Are bed and breakfasts and cottages good alternative accommodations?
• How accessible are the majority of your restaurants?
• Are there special arrangements in a number of public spaces that take into consideration those with varying levels of environmental sensitivities?

How do I apply for a Disability Travel Card?You can obtain the forms for a disability travel card through the Easter Seals website, or by calling (416) 932-8382 (TTY: (416)-932-8151). Please allow time for processing prior to your trip.

If I am anticipating the need to have a prescription filled, what is the procedure if I do not live in the province?Some of the major drug store chains will fill prescriptions whether or not you live in the province, provided your prescriptions have been written by a Canadian doctor. Please check with the major drug store chains for further information, and locations.

Are there places in Nova Scotia where I can rent health equipment while I am on vacation? Yes, short-term equipment rentals are available in Nova Scotia for use while in the province. As with the filling of prescriptions, major drugstore chains are your best source. Any enquiries can be made ahead of arrival and a number of companies will deliver to your hotel for a small fee. National organizations such as the Red Cross also rent equipment. The Society of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians (SDHHNS) in Halifax also has a short-term loan program. You can contact them through 1-800-516-5551 (TTY, 902-422-7130)  or visit the SDHHNS website.

Are there companies in Nova Scotia that can refill my oxygen tank if I am in need?Advance notice of at least one week is common for this form of service, which can be met in this province for the duration of your time here. Check with your local provider to see if they are one of a group of companies that have offices province-wide. If not, they could recommend one to meet your needs. 

Local transportation is managed by each individual municipality. Please check with your destination regarding what is currently in use, including ‘Kneeling buses’, and accessible routes. A free bus, FRED, covers the Halifax downtown area and runs from July through October. It uses both accessible and non-accessible buses for this service.

Please check with the local taxi companies in the municipalities you are visiting to ensure the service is available. Some local Access-a-Bus transportation, including privately owned companies equipped with lifts can also meet your local traveling needs, but may require pre-booking. In addition, some car rental agencies will equip vehicles with “hand controls” on request at no additional fee, which provide an alternative to foot-breaking.

All malls that fall within provincial jurisdiction must adhere to the Provincial Building Code, which specifies the use of ramps, automatic doors and elevators if necessary. Also required are accessible washrooms and storefronts, as well as level routes from local transit areas.  Outdoor malls vary in accessibility and curb-cutting variations. Some outdoor malls are not suitable for outdoor travel for those with physical limitations.

Via Rail offers stops in Amherst, Truro, Springhill Junction and Halifax. The company has a number of options available for those traveling with disabilities. You can access information through the ‘Seniors’ section on the VIA Rail website, or by calling 1-888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245), (TTY – 1-800-265-9503). Via Rail operates two types of equipment in the east between Montreal and Halifax, with differing levels of accessibility. Funds are available to assist with the cost of a necessary personal assistant to travel with you, but appropriate documentation must be submitted at the time of payment for tickets to support your need. Guide animals are welcomed. Please allow at least 48 hours notice for special needs. Please see www.accesstotravel.gc.ca

The width of sidewalks, curb-cuts, audible traffic signals, etc. are maintained and ordered through each municipality. Wooden boardwalks along waterfronts require caution in inclement weather. If you have an interest in a particular location, please check with local authorities.

Many bus stations that support inter-city travel have a portion of their fleet equipped to handle one or more wheelchairs. Advance notice is required which allows for a bus with a lift to be assigned to accommodate the request. The town of Annapolis Royal, which is home to two major historic sites, supports a Transit Bus system that operates between Wolfville and Weymouth. No inter-city buses have washrooms that allow entry for a wheelchair. Please see www.accesstotravel.gc.ca

The Canadian Transportation Agency is committed to a Code of Practice regarding the needs of persons traveling with disabilities. This has impacted the design of our airports, signage, rates, and the training of personnel to meet the physical and communicative needs you may have. This also impacts the federal rail and marine transportation network. Personal, individual assistance is available to those traveling by air with disabilities. Please make your needs known to airline personnel as soon as you are able – either as a part of booking procedure, or when you arrive at your departure site. This is particularly important if you have very specific needs that would require preparation such as space needed for a guide dog or for oxygen transportation. Please also see www.accesstotravel.gc.ca

Part of the joy of visiting a coastal province is the shoreline. If travel by water is part of your vacation plans, there are many systems and services in place to ensure that your travel is comfortable and safe. Marine Atlantic has produced the brochure, Guide for Passengers with Disabilities, which can be requested on their website, or by calling 1-800-341-7981 (TTY, 1-877-820-9252).
The majority of Atlantic ferries are equipped with visual alarms, accessible cafeterias and wheelchair accessible washrooms, along with many other features. Service animals are welcome free of charge, and are permitted to remain with you as long as they are properly harnessed (written proof of training may be required). Northumberland Ferries Ltd. operates two ferries during the peak season (HOLIDAY ISLAND & CONFEDERATION) and one ferry during the ‘shoulder seasons’ that run between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Information on this ferry service is available on the NFL website or by calling (902)-566-3838 (TTY, 902-626-2561).

Although path accessibility and suitability varies from park to park, a growing number of nature paths are suitable for traveling easily and comfortably, and are well maintained. Information on individual parks is available through our provincial government website. Park Authorities of Nova Scotia are also committed to pair parking areas that possess International Disability signage with nature paths that are accessible. Any questions pertaining to the physical condition of nature trails in Provincial Parks can be addressed by emailing gov.ns.ca, or by calling Nova Scotia Parks and Recreation, (902) 662-3030.

A growing number of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts and cottages in Nova Scotia  are developing their resources to accommodate all visitors. Hotels in various locations host rooms with lowered furniture and beds to accommodate easy movement, as well as grab bars installed in the washrooms. Some of the larger chain hotels have consistent and predictable room arrangements of benefit to those with visual impairment that travel on a regular basis. Anticipate the possibility when booking with hotels that equipped suites are available, and be sure to ask when initially contacting the hotel. Items such as flashing cue lighting may be available upon request at main desks upon arrival, or can be requested. Many hotels have flashing lights on all phones, indicating in-coming calls. Depending on your location, equipment rentals may also be available.
Nova Scotia has a rating system in place that offers information on local accommodation for travelers called Canada Select. The Canadian Automobile Association provides access information regarding travel and accommodation information. A Toll free number is 1-800-565-0000 (check-in). 

Check individually through Canada Select and the Canadian Automobile Association with a spot that interests you. Check with local owners as to whether a particular location is suitable for your specific needs.

A growing number of proprietors are understanding the necessity to adapt their service standards to allow for a pleasurable dining experience for all guests. Roomier spaces, adequate lighting and large print menus with compatible background colors are all part of the growing awareness that Nova Scotians are adopting. 
Please see the database available on-line through the Canadian Paraplegic Association website for a listing of restaurants with established accessibility features. Select the Accessibility Index on the left side, and choose your search options.

A growing number of establishments are taking the needs of those with environmental sensitivities seriously. It is not uncommon to see scent-free signs in restaurants, churches, and some stores in Nova Scotia. When seeking accommodation, make your needs known to ensure that adequate filtering systems are in place and that non-smoking is practiced. Many facilities will tailor circumstances to help meet any needs. It is noted on most public transit systems that travelers should be scent-free.