A restaurant owner refuses to serve a person who is blind because she has a guide dog. In Nova Scotia these situations shouldn't happen because they're against the law. Nova Scotia's Human Rights Act protects people from discrimination because they have physical or mental disabilities. A disability includes most physical and mental conditions that either affect a person's ability or are considered by others to affect ability. It includes those you can see, such as using a wheelchair, and those you can't see such as diabetes and epilepsy.
Disability includes mental impairment and learning disabilities.
People who were dependent on drugs or alcohol are also protected. The definition also protects people who others think have disabilities. But an effort must be made to meet the special needs of people with disabilities. This could include building a ramp to an office, allowing guide dogs in restaurants or approving flexible work hours. Affirmative action or employment equity programs help people with disabilities take part in all aspects of public life.