Province to fund tuition for nearly 100 students training to support people with disabilities

Nova Scotia’s Commitment to Training Disability Support Workers

Nova Scotia recently announced a groundbreaking initiative to cover the tuition costs for nearly 100 students who are training to become disability support workers. This move is part of the province’s larger effort to transition individuals with disabilities from institutionalized care to supportive living environments by 2028.

Scott Armstrong, the minister of opportunities and social development, revealed that the government is investing approximately $640,000 to fund these educational opportunities, which will be available at various locations across Nova Scotia starting in September. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that individuals with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives in the community of their choosing.

The decision to educate and recruit more disability support workers aligns with the province’s commitment to closing all institutionalized care facilities and integrating individuals with disabilities into community-based living arrangements. This mandate stems from a five-year reform plan outlined in a workplace strategy approved by a human rights board of inquiry in 2023.

The implementation of this human rights remedy follows a legal battle initiated in 2014 by three individuals with disabilities who were confined to a Halifax psychiatric hospital despite being deemed capable of living in the community with appropriate support. As of December 31, 2024, there were still 702 individuals with disabilities residing in various care facilities across Nova Scotia, with plans to transition them into community settings by 2028.

Armstrong emphasized the province’s commitment to a human rights-based approach that prioritizes the voices and choices of Nova Scotians with disabilities. He acknowledged the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the existing system to better support individuals with disabilities and empower them to live independently and inclusively.

As part of this transformative effort, Nova Scotia will cover the costs of tuition, textbooks, and student fees for 75 students enrolled in the one-year disability support professional certificate program at the Nova Scotia Community College campuses in Kentville and Sydney. Additionally, funding will support 12 students each at the Island Career Academy and CBBC Career College, who are pursuing programs in community residential work and community support services, respectively.

Recipients of the funding are required to work in Nova Scotia’s disability support sector for at least one year post-graduation. Connie Fisher, the dean of the School of Health and Human Services at NSCC, highlighted the program’s focus on empowering individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their strengths, and eliminating barriers to full participation in their communities.

The NSCC program, previously offered as a two-year diploma, has been condensed into a one-year certificate program to expedite the entry of trained professionals into the disability support sector. Fisher expressed the college’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity, stating that the program aims to contribute to the critical transformation in how individuals with disabilities are supported and integrated into society.