ACE Trainings

Our series of free ACE (Accessibility Confident Employers) training targets a range of sectors in Nova Scotia including businesses, public service organizations, and the impact (non-profit) sector.

Scroll down or click the options below to learn about our free offerings.

An animated silhouette with a blue brain and a thought bubble around the top of the head with question marks in it.Self-Paced Online Cohorts

These 4-week blended trainings include live Zoom sessions at the beginning and end and four self-paced modules online.

Welcoming All: Accessible Customer Service

Date: May 1st – 22nd, 2025 | Time: Anytime | Location: Online

  • Identify how to communicate with customers who have various disabilities
  • Explore how to interact with customers who:
    • Use service animals, support persons, assistive devices
    • Are neurodivergent
  • Identify how to use any devices or equipment the provider may have to help customers access goods or services 
  • Practice how to assist a customer having difficulty accessing goods or services

An animated person waving at a computer which has a video call happening on it with multiple people.Skill Builders

These two-hour, highly interactive online skill builders provide ready-to-use frameworks, relevant examples, and scenarios to build skills, knowledge, and confidence.

Access Achieved: Learning from Our Plans and Practices

Date: April 23rd, 2025 | Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Location: Online

During this skill builder we will:

  • Explore key insights from our collective efforts to develop and refine accessibility plans, highlighting lessons learned and best practices.
  • Discuss how to weave accessibility into the fabric of organizational culture effectively.
  • Exchange practical tools and insights that aid in keeping accessibility plans fresh and impactful.
  • Engage in dynamic peer-to-peer exchanges to spark innovative solutions to shared challenges.
  • Develop a proactive approach to continually refresh and improve your accessibility strategies.

Neuro-inclusive Workplaces

Date: May 29th, 2025 | Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Location: Online

During this skill builder we will:

  • Define neurodivergence and explain the importance of accessibility and inclusion for neurodivergent employees in the workplace.
  • Examine common workplace barriers faced by neurodivergent Canadians and assess how these barriers impact inclusion and performance.
  • Explore practical strategies and practices that promote workplace inclusion and a sense of belonging for neurodivergent employees.
  • Develop actionable approaches to building a more inclusive and supportive workplace for neurodivergent employees.

Accessibility in Action: Adapting for Summer and Seasonal Staff

Date: June 12th, 2025 | Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Location: Online

During this skill builder we will:

  • Examine unique accessibility requirements for seasonal and summer employment.
  • Identify best practices for accessible training and onboarding of temporary staff.
  • Develop strategies for implementing effective, short-term accessibility measures in diverse work environments.
  • Facilitate an understanding of legal and ethical accessibility considerations for seasonal workers.
  • Create actionable plans for integrating accessibility into summer employment programs quickly and effectively.

An animated light bulb.On-Demand

On demand training allows you to learn in a way that’s optimized for you– in your own time, pace and place.

3-hour: These 3-hour on-demand, self-paced trainings provide foundational definitions, concepts, and approaches to accessibility and equity work.  

Accessibility Foundations

  • Define types of disabilities, accessibility, and the prevalence of disability in Nova Scotia 
  • Explain the importance of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act 
  • Explore the impact of the Accessibility Act on employers 
  • Provide examples of barriers and ableism and their impacts on persons with disabilities 
  • Outline practices to address accessibility barriers  

Allyship Foundations

  • Define allyship and how it can be a powerful force toward inclusion and belonging  
  • Unpack your privilege and your power 
  • Identify historic and current day realities and inequities for equity seeking groups  
  • Feel more confident to interrupt bias and respond to microaggressions 
  • Use an active allyship framework to identify inequities and potential allyship actions  

Breaking Barriers: The Art of Inclusive Hiring

  • Evaluate current organizational culture and systems
  • Establish impactful partnerships
  • Optimize job postings and processes incorporating accommodations
  • Practice inclusive and bias-free interviewing techniques
  • Embrace skills-based hiring

 

90-minute: These 90-minute, on-demand, self-paced trainings introduce the topic, why it’s important, and step-by-step approaches to implement the skills within the workplace.  

Introduction to Accessible Communications

  • Define accessible communications and its importance 
  • Explore digital accessibility, alternative formats, and plain language 
  • Discover the accessibility +1 practice to get started 

Core Skills of Plain Language

  • Define clear and accessible language and why it’s important 
  • Describe who benefits from plain language and why 
  • Apply key principles of plain language to review a document 
  • Start using plain language in your communication 

Core Skills of Digital Accessibility

Practice 7 core skills of digital accessibility including: headings and document structure, font style, lists and tables, links, alternative text, colour contrast, and video and audio.  

Two animated people sitting at a table with papers, one person is in a wheelchair.

In-Person 

These are hybrid events, so we can accommodate you in person and online!

Accessibility Leadership Lab

Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville

June 4th, 2025 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm