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.
December 3, 2025 is International Day of People with Disabilities
Recognized annually by the United Nations, opens a new window, this day highlights the rights, dignity, and contributions of people with disabilities around the world.
Guided by Halifax’s theme, Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, the Library is pleased to partner with Halifax Regional Municipality to share this collection of events, resources, and stories that celebrate inclusion, accessibility, and community leadership, now and year-round.
Events & News
Halifax Public Libraries 2025 Accessibility Plan
Learn more about how Halifax Public Libraries is working to ensure that everyone is included and reflected in their public library.
Sensory-Accessible Concerts with Cecilia Concerts
Monthly, First Sunday of the Month
Designed to be welcoming and accessible for autistic, neurodivergent, and intellectually disabled community members and their families.
Laughter Yoga
Multiple Dates | Multiple Times
Laughter yoga is no joke! It's a great way to help relieve stress, improve mental health, and promote a better immune system.
Laughter Yoga with Michele Graveline, part of a series
Jan 17th | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Boost your mind and body with Laughter Yoga—fake or real, laughter works! Register to save your spot at chair-based sessions at the Library.
Halifax Public Libraries 2025 Accessibility Plan
Learn more about how Halifax Public Libraries is working to ensure that everyone is included and reflected in their public library.
Sensory-Accessible Concerts with Cecilia Concerts
Monthly, First Sunday of the Month
Designed to be welcoming and accessible for autistic, neurodivergent, and intellectually disabled community members and their families.
Laughter Yoga
Multiple Dates | Multiple Times
Laughter yoga is no joke! It's a great way to help relieve stress, improve mental health, and promote a better immune system.
Laughter Yoga with Michele Graveline, part of a series
Jan 17th | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Boost your mind and body with Laughter Yoga—fake or real, laughter works! Register to save your spot at chair-based sessions at the Library.
Blog Posts & Stories
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!
Sunroom: Conquest, Identity, & The Violence of Belonging
On display from September 14 – October 25, 2025 in The Sunroom at Central Library, art by Uriel Guerrero-Aconcha. Learn more.
Access in Action: Meet Our Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meet the passionate people helping shape Library access. Their lived experiences are driving real change—now and for the future.
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.
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!
Sunroom: Conquest, Identity, & The Violence of Belonging
On display from September 14 – October 25, 2025 in The Sunroom at Central Library, art by Uriel Guerrero-Aconcha. Learn more.
Access in Action: Meet Our Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meet the passionate people helping shape Library access. Their lived experiences are driving real change—now and for the future.
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.
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
Books You'll Love by Authors With Disabilities
Explore powerful fiction, memoirs, and poetry created by authors whose voices celebrate diverse experiences.
International Day of People with Disabilities: YA Fiction
Find YA stories centring characters with visible and invisible disabilities, offering heart, humour, and real impact.
Movies and TV Shows Featuring People with Disabilities
Discover films and series that spotlight characters with disabilities and bring underrepresented stories forward.
International Day of People with Disabilities: Kids' Books
Explore accessibility with children's book highlights the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Books You'll Love by Authors With Disabilities
Explore powerful fiction, memoirs, and poetry created by authors whose voices celebrate diverse experiences.
International Day of People with Disabilities: YA Fiction
Find YA stories centring characters with visible and invisible disabilities, offering heart, humour, and real impact.
Movies and TV Shows Featuring People with Disabilities
Discover films and series that spotlight characters with disabilities and bring underrepresented stories forward.
International Day of People with Disabilities: Kids' Books
Explore accessibility with children's book highlights the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
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.