This year, Events East was proud to publish its first-ever Accessibility Framework, in alignment with the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, which will guide accessibility and inclusion efforts across the organization to March 31, 2026. With our partners and community, the Accessibility Framework outlines our goals and commitments to identify, prevent, and eliminate barriers to people with disabilities through our workplace, venues, and the events we host. In 2021, Events East assembled an Accessibility Advisory Committee – Nova Scotians with lived and learned accessibility experience – whose guidance and insights were critical to inform and develop the Framework, and who continue to serve as champions for accessibility.
The goals of the Accessibility Framework are overseen by the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee at Events East, with collaboration from the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Immediate improvements to the built environment at the Halifax Convention Centre were ongoing through 2023-2024. Upgrades included the installation of electronic door openers and paneling at entryways, tactile paving installations to indicate gradation or structural changes for the visually impaired, and guard rails and vestibules at exterior entryways for safer access pathways into the building. Our Accessibility work is led by Director of Property Services, Colin Kiley, who was Accessibility Certified by the Rick Hansen Foundation in 2022 and serves as the chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
In 2023-2024, Events East began the process to earn Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification for the Halifax Convention Centre, which will identify the Convention Centre as a building with meaningful access on our journey toward creating a more accessible and inclusive space for our community and guests.
