Cassandra Manuel’s vision for an inclusive and accessible Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia aims to be an accessible province by 2030. A commitment this large requires all hands on deck, and Cassandra Manuel of Dartmouth is doing her part. As the provincial recreation and sport inclusion project manager for Recreation Nova Scotia, her work is focused on helping community-based recreation and sport organizations provide inclusive, accessible services and programming.
Cassandra started her career as a recreation therapist, and has spent the last 10 years working in community and health roles. Recreation has always been at the core of her work.
“Growing up it was always ‘let’s go for a bike ride’ or ‘let’s go camping,’” she says. “My attitude always leaned toward keeping busy, which took many forms. I took my love for activity and turned it into my career path.”
In the fall of 2021, Cassandra created the provincial recreation and sport inclusion project manager role for herself. Her work focuses on helping Nova Scotia’s sport and recreation sector develop equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible initiatives – in other words, helping ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to opportunities for sport and recreation, regardless of their location, financial situation, abilities and race.
It’s complex work. But Cassandra says that when we talk about improving access, we are really talking about inclusion.
“I view inclusion as layered,” she says. “There is physical inclusion and social inclusion. When I talk about physical inclusion, I mean barrier-free communities and services that can be accessed and used by any community member. When I talk about social inclusion, I mean an environment supported by equal values, attitudes and behaviours, without bias or discrimination. Social inclusion is active—it is creating a sense of belonging.”
Without social and physical structures in place to address inclusion and accessibility, people with disabilities are often left on the sidelines.
Cassandra says communities across Nova Scotia can advocate for inclusive and accessible recreation opportunities in a few ways, including engaging equity-deserving groups in their local community and collaborating with schools, community health centres, advocacy groups and non-profit organizations.
Many recreation departments across the province have started adding adaptive equipment to their free equipment loan programs. Cassandra says, “I’m seeing a lot of equipment loan programs purchase adaptive equipment pieces, including all-terrain and sport wheelchairs, sledges, Nordic walking poles and lifejackets.”
If you want to access adaptive equipment but have never tried it before, Cassandra recommends watching the free online videos created by the Northern Region Inclusion and Access committee. She also notes that the IWK Health Centre’s recreation therapy department provides adaptive equipment and learning opportunities for kids.
Ultimately, Cassandra says that for these efforts to be successful and sustainable, it’s important that everyone, especially physical activity leaders, sees they can help increase the number and accessibility of physical and social activities in the community.
“Recreation is so unique and physical activity leaders have a strong influence in communities. I believe we have a responsibility to lead equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible initiatives.”
