The Nova Scotia Association of Realtors (NSAR) recently announced it’s the first MLS system in Canada to launch mandatory information fields that help prospective homebuyers determine the accessibility and adaptability of a home to meet their mobility needs.

The fields went live on June 5 and include door and hallway widths, bathroom dimensions, turning radius of kitchen and bathrooms, types of entries into the property and the ability to note any special features of the home.

Over 2,100 realtors have had mandatory training to learn how to take proper measurements related to home features and their suitability for accessibility needs.

Partners and support

“With the most common barriers people with mobility issues face being in the built environment, NSAR worked with several key partners to look at how we could make a difference in searching for an adaptable home. Everyone’s definition of an accessible home is different, so adding more information to listings will enable people to determine if a home is adaptable for them,” Bonnie Wigg, director of NSAR’s MLS system, explains.

NSAR partnered with and received input from Atlantic Accessibility, Canadian Real Estate Association, Rick Hansen Foundation, Nova Scotia Community College and members of the disability community in Nova Scotia. Project funding was provided by NSAR and The Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

NSAR president, Andrew Gilroy, says, “NSAR recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to deliver this project which will benefit all Nova Scotians.”