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Paul Tingley: Bridging Accessibility and Innovation

In the first episode of the Accessibility Ally podcast, hosted by Corrie Melanson, guest Paul Tingley shared his experiences with accessibility both personally and professionally. Nova Scotia is striving to be fully accessible by 2030, and this episode dives into the progress, challenges, and the work still ahead.

Paul Tingley’s Journey

Paul Tingley’s story begins with a life-changing spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed at the age of 24. His personal experiences with accessibility began then, as he navigated the world in a wheelchair, encountering barriers that many people don’t have to consider. But Tingley’s story didn’t end with his injury; he became an accomplished Paralympic sailor, competing in five Paralympic Games. This experience taught him not only about overcoming personal challenges but also about the systemic issues that create barriers for people with disabilities.

Following his retirement from sports, Tingley became a para-sport coordinator at Sport Nova Scotia and later transitioned to work with the province as a program officer for accessibility. His role involves providing funding to businesses and communities to help remove barriers, demonstrating that real change is possible through collective action and adequate resources.

The Push for an Accessible Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has set an ambitious goal to be fully accessible by 2030. This involves the implementation of six accessibility standards, starting with the built environment, followed by education and transportation. Paul and Corrie discussed how the government is funding initiatives to make this vision a reality, providing financial support to businesses and community organizations. For instance, the government covers two-thirds of the costs for accessibility improvements, whether in physical structures, communications, or transportation systems.

Despite these efforts, demand exceeds available resources. According to Tingley, the province receives requests totaling three times the amount of available funding, highlighting both the enthusiasm for accessibility and the ongoing need for greater investment.

Motivations for Accessibility

The podcast explored the motivations driving businesses and organizations to improve accessibility, even before legislation mandates it. Tingley believes motivations are diverse, ranging from legal compliance to a moral understanding that removing barriers is simply the right thing to do. There’s also an economic benefit—accessible businesses attract more customers and employees, creating a more inclusive and resilient society.

Yet, challenges remain. Many businesses still don’t fully understand the importance of accessibility or see it as optional until it becomes a legal requirement. Tingley noted that while some organizations take proactive steps, others may wait for the “stick”—penalties or fines—to drive change.

The Role of Allyship and Community Support

A significant theme of the conversation was allyship. Tingley emphasized the importance of allies who step up, take action, and support accessibility efforts, even when it’s not easy. Allies often feel uncertain or fear making mistakes, but Tingley encouraged people to push through this discomfort. Taking action, even imperfectly, is key to creating a more inclusive society.

Tingley shared a personal story about how, after his accident, his community rallied around him, raising funds for adaptive equipment. This kind of support is crucial for individuals with disabilities, but on a larger scale, consistent allyship is needed to create widespread accessibility.

Overcoming Barriers

The challenges in reaching an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030 are not only financial but also social and cultural. Many people, including business owners, simply don’t realize the extent of the barriers that exist. As Tingley pointed out, it’s often a “chicken and egg” situation—people don’t see the need for accessibility because those affected by barriers aren’t visible in inaccessible spaces.

Despite these challenges, Tingley remains hopeful. He’s seen firsthand how much progress has been made, and while there’s still a long way to go, he believes continued effort will lead to a more accessible society. The work of removing barriers shouldn’t rely on extraordinary individuals overcoming obstacles; instead, it should be about creating a level playing field for everyone.

In Closing

With dedicated people like Paul Tingley and initiatives like the Accessibility Confident Employers (ACE) project, Nova Scotia is making strides toward its 2030 accessibility goals. Yet, achieving true accessibility requires continued commitment, allyship, and investment. As more organizations take proactive steps, the hope is that barriers—both physical and social—will continue to -erode, making Nova Scotia a model for accessibility in Canada and beyond.