Good News From our Friends at reachAbility

Well, good news if you live in the Halifax area, anyway. The rest of us just might be out luck.

reachAbility will be offering free form-filling assistance at two drop-in locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality, as well as by appointment in their Halifax office. The clinic is said to be designed to help people through the process of any application, form or document they may need assistance to complete.

These are some of the things the service can provide:

• Assistance filling out simple applications
• Assistance filling out government forms
• Assistance filling out court forms
• Help finding legal information and other resources
• Providing referrals to other legal, social or community programs

Check out the reachAbility website for times and locations.

So, as I said, a good deal if you live in the right area. Perhaps the rest of us need to be lobbying to have such services offered in the ROP.

* ROP = Rest of the Province

For What It's Worth

I'm not sure exactly what to make of this but ...

March 25, 2014) BOYNECLARKE LLP, one of Atlantic Canada’s largest law firms, will be offering free legal consultations over a three-day period in celebration of Law Day 2014. 

On April 8, 9 and 10, BOYNECLARKE LLP will be inviting pre-approved applicants to their office in Dartmouth for a free legal consultation. The initiative, spearheaded by Partner Gordon F. Proudfoot QC, is intended to give residents in the HRM access to justice. 

“Law Day is all about making sure everyone understands the law, has access to justice and can have their legal questions answered,” says Gordon. “This is our first year with the project, so we’re hoping to see lots of people during the three days.” 

Over 25 lawyers at the firm have volunteered their services to meet with approved applicants and discuss their legal issues in various areas of law. 

“Community service is one of things we try to make a priority here at BOYNECLARKE,” adds Gordon. “This is a way for us to give back.” 

Applications can be obtained online or by calling 1 902 460 3444.

So go on. Get out there. Get out pre-approved.

What do you have to lose?

New Legislation for Persons with Disabilities ~ It's Time to Have Your Say

Listen up, people.

Personally, I believe that Nova Scotia could well be a tipping point at this moment when it comes to services for persons with disabilities. We could go one way (towards truly individualized funding and real community inclusion.) or we could just stick with the status quo.

Which would you prefer?

As the province looks at bringing forward new legislation the ipro bono student group at Dalhousie Law School has taken the initiative of reviewing legislation in other provinces and elsewhere regarding services for persons with disabilities, the

They're anxious to engage as many people as possible in their project. And since you have a vested interest in the outcome, your opinion matters.

Here is a short survey (honest, it really is short) that touches on a lot of important points, some of which will really make you stop and think.

Please take a few minutes to complete it. If you like, they will send you the results, which will be included in their final report.

One other request - please share this survey widely - this legislation will affect a large number of people who are not often consulted. Indeed, the number of responses is itself a part of the message.

FYI: Official Launch of Access Legal Help NS Project

"Tuesday, December 3, marked the official launch of the Access Legal Help NS project, which offers pro bono summary advice to Nova Scotians in need.

The launch event was hosted by McInnes Cooper in Halifax, with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS).

Mission
Our mission is to establish and maintain a legal pro bono hub that will support access to basic legal advice and foster quality pro bono legal service on key issues for Nova Scotians living in poverty, the working poor, non-profit organizations and others facing barriers in gaining access to justice.

Objectives

To create a single place where Nova Scotians can find pro bono services for their legal problems

To create various ways for Nova Scotians to gain access to legal pro bono services

To partner with organizations already providing pro bono legal services throughout Nova Scotia

To educate the Nova Scotia legal community about pro bono opportunities and their benefits

To engage and provide opportunities for the legal community in Nova Scotia to participate in delivering pro bono services

To raise general public awareness about pro bono legal services"

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