The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is looking for local residents to join its Accessibility Advisory Committee, with applications open until April 10, 2026. This group works directly with the local council to identify and remove barriers for people with disabilities across public programs, services, and community facilities.
The committee is a collaborative effort between the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, the Village of Pugwash, and the Village of River Hebert. Its primary goal is to ensure the region meets the requirements of the provincial Accessibility Act, which aims to make Nova Scotia fully accessible by 2030. According to provincial data, Nova Scotia has the highest rate of disability in Canada, with 37.9 percent of the population living with one or more disabilities, compared to the national average of 27 percent.
Serving on the committee is a way for residents to influence how the region of nearly 20,000 people becomes more inclusive. In accordance with provincial law, at least half of the committee members must be people with disabilities or representatives from organizations that advocate for those with disabilities.
Members of the committee will support the implementation of the Joint Accessibility Plan, which was approved by the local council on March 26, 2025. While most committee work takes place online, members receive a 50 dollar honorarium for attending meetings, and those who attend in-person are reimbursed for travel costs.
Residents interested in applying are asked to submit a letter of interest by April 10, 2026. This letter should outline the perspectives and personal experiences that a candidate would bring to the committee’s work.
