Accessibility Portal
Accessibility - HERO- Program Page - Permanent
Our Libraries are shaped by our community; by you and your needs.
We work to make our spaces, collections, and services as barrier-free as possible so that they can be enjoyed by everyone. On this page, you can discover stories from community members and accessibility advocates, local resources, and reading recommendations, curated in partnership with the accessibility community.
May 25-31 2025 is Access Awareness Week
"Access Awareness Week Nova Scotia is driven by a single goal; to change the narrative for persons with disabilities by doing our part in raising awareness and taking action on disability issues. The events and initiatives hosted during this week are informed by first voice using a disability lens to ensure inclusion and accessibility for everyone." -nsleo.com, opens a new window
Explore more accessibility resources, stories, and events now and year-round at the Library and beyond in the collection below; and via the official Access Awareness Week Nova Scotia website, opens a new window.
Events & News
2025 Theme for Access Awareness Week
The theme for #AAW2025 in Nova Scotia is "Our Voices, Our Votes: Disabilities Rights in Action." Learn more here on the official website.
Access Awareness Week Nova Scotia Events Calendar
Check out NS LEO's Community Calendar of Events for Access Awareness Week 2025, including the flag-raising, discussions, and ceremonies.
(Virtual) Rights in Action: Lived Experience Leading Policy
May 27th | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Tune in for an insightful panel discussion with experts and advocates focused on disability rights advocacy to government action.
Sensory-Accessible Concert by Cecilia Concerts
Jun 1st | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Immerse in a soothing and vibrant afternoon of sensory-friendly reggae and soul featuring JUNO-nominated singer Jah’Mila. Register now.
2025 Theme for Access Awareness Week
The theme for #AAW2025 in Nova Scotia is "Our Voices, Our Votes: Disabilities Rights in Action." Learn more here on the official website.
Access Awareness Week Nova Scotia Events Calendar
Check out NS LEO's Community Calendar of Events for Access Awareness Week 2025, including the flag-raising, discussions, and ceremonies.
(Virtual) Rights in Action: Lived Experience Leading Policy
May 27th | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Tune in for an insightful panel discussion with experts and advocates focused on disability rights advocacy to government action.
Sensory-Accessible Concert by Cecilia Concerts
Jun 1st | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Immerse in a soothing and vibrant afternoon of sensory-friendly reggae and soul featuring JUNO-nominated singer Jah’Mila. Register now.
Blog Posts & Stories
Memory Kits: Borrow and Explore
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is excited to partner with the Library on the creation and lending of Memory Kits. Learn more here.
Access for All
From sensory-friendly concerts to Home Delivery, the Library creates inclusive, accessible spaces and services for all. Discover more.
Central Library Earns RHF Accessibility Certified Gold Rank
Central Library achieves RHF Accessibility Certified Gold, the highest level of accessibility possible for the built environment. Read more.
New Editions & New Additions 2023-24
We're always growing! Check out some trends and changes from 2023-24 year: Romantasy books, new kiosks, bikes, digital tools, and more.
Memory Kits: Borrow and Explore
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is excited to partner with the Library on the creation and lending of Memory Kits. Learn more here.
Access for All
From sensory-friendly concerts to Home Delivery, the Library creates inclusive, accessible spaces and services for all. Discover more.
Central Library Earns RHF Accessibility Certified Gold Rank
Central Library achieves RHF Accessibility Certified Gold, the highest level of accessibility possible for the built environment. Read more.
New Editions & New Additions 2023-24
We're always growing! Check out some trends and changes from 2023-24 year: Romantasy books, new kiosks, bikes, digital tools, and more.
How To: Find Accessible Content Through the CELA Collection
CELA holds over 450,000 items in accessible formats for all ages. Discover this resource—now updated with info on Dolphin EasyReader!
Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) Resources
The CELA Collection includes more than 450,000 items on a range of subjects, professionally produced for people with print disabilities.
NNELS Accessible Items
Download audiobooks and other accessible formats designed for individuals with print disabilities. Titles work on a wide variety of devices.
How To: Use The CELA Direct-to-Player Format With EasyReader
You can enjoy the CELA Collection’s DAISY audio and text formats on your mobile device using the Dolphin EasyReader App. Learn how, here!
How To: Find Accessible Content Through the CELA Collection
CELA holds over 450,000 items in accessible formats for all ages. Discover this resource—now updated with info on Dolphin EasyReader!
Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) Resources
The CELA Collection includes more than 450,000 items on a range of subjects, professionally produced for people with print disabilities.
NNELS Accessible Items
Download audiobooks and other accessible formats designed for individuals with print disabilities. Titles work on a wide variety of devices.
How To: Use The CELA Direct-to-Player Format With EasyReader
You can enjoy the CELA Collection’s DAISY audio and text formats on your mobile device using the Dolphin EasyReader App. Learn how, here!
Browse Large Print and other accessible items
Descriptive and closed-captioned videos
Descriptive and closed-captioned features can be found on many of the DVDs and Blu-Rays in our collection. The catalogue listing for these titles will indicate whether description and/or closed-captioning is available and we can help you locate them in branch.
Narration describing the action, characters, costumes, and locations can inform a viewer with visual disabilities without interfering with a movie's dialogue or sound effects.
Closed-captioned subtitles can be seen with a closed captioned decoder or with a built-in decoder on newer televisions.
Browse Descriptive and closed-captioned Blu-Rays and DVDs
Autism Acceptance: YA Fiction
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with YA novels highlighting authentic autistic voices.
Dyslexia-Friendly Books
This list of titles is dyslexia-friendly and accessible, promoting enjoyable reading experiences for school-aged children.
Graphic Novels Featuring People with Disabilities
This list of graphic novels features memoirs by people with disabilities, as well as stories of characters with disabilities.
Not Your Inspiration
These books discuss disability pride, activism and history, building on the message of the "Not Your Inspiration" TEDTalk by Stella Young.
Autism Acceptance: YA Fiction
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with YA novels highlighting authentic autistic voices.
Dyslexia-Friendly Books
This list of titles is dyslexia-friendly and accessible, promoting enjoyable reading experiences for school-aged children.
Graphic Novels Featuring People with Disabilities
This list of graphic novels features memoirs by people with disabilities, as well as stories of characters with disabilities.
Not Your Inspiration
These books discuss disability pride, activism and history, building on the message of the "Not Your Inspiration" TEDTalk by Stella Young.
Building Futures Employment Society
Supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to contribute to their community while realizing their personal goals.
Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax-Dartmouth Branch
CMHA provides adults in the community living with mental illness access to programs that offer vital social support connections.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
CNIB delivers innovative programs that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and advocacy to tear down barriers.
Canadian Paraplegic Association - Nova Scotia
Providing a range of comprehensive, equitable, and holistic services for persons with SCI and other mobility disabilities, and loved ones.
Building Futures Employment Society
Supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to contribute to their community while realizing their personal goals.
Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax-Dartmouth Branch
CMHA provides adults in the community living with mental illness access to programs that offer vital social support connections.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
CNIB delivers innovative programs that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and advocacy to tear down barriers.
Canadian Paraplegic Association - Nova Scotia
Providing a range of comprehensive, equitable, and holistic services for persons with SCI and other mobility disabilities, and loved ones.