MacPhee Centre Access Information

The following is information about the MacPhee Centre’s physical and digital space so you know what to expect from your visit and our content. 

At the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, we are committed to ensuring that our space (physical and digital) is accessible for all who choose to visit us, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions. You can contact us at info@macpheecentre.ca or 902 469 2851

We understand that accessibility is essential, and we are actively working to make our space and our website more inclusive for all users.

Table of Contents

Land Acknowledgement

The MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning is in Mi’kma’ki (Punamu'kwati'jk), the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) people first signed with the British Crown in 1725.

The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) titles and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. We are all treaty people. We are committed to upholding the fundamental rights promised in the Peace and Friendship treaties and are actively engaged in the reconciliation process by listening and amplifying Indigenous voices. 

Additionally, we acknowledge the significant contributions of Black and African Nova Scotian communities in shaping the infrastructure and culture of this province and country. 

The MacPhee Centre is dedicated to collaborating, amplifying, and connecting with all communities residing and working in Mi'kma'ki.

Community Expectations

The MacPhee Centre aims to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. We envision a world where empathy and diversity thrive and are taking active steps towards achieving this mission. We aim to provide a safe, youth-driven space for exploration and self-expression.  

We do not tolerate discrimination based on gender, sexuality, ability, or any form of harassment or violence, online or at the centre. 

If you have a concern or complaint, you can reach out to the following individuals:

  • Diana Brown, Executive Director, diana @ macpheecentre.ca
  • Lauren Cullen, Program Manager, lauren @ macpheecentre.ca
  • Or the board chairs:
    • Kareem O'Keiffe: kareem.okeiffe @ gmail.com

Getting to the MacPhee Centre

The MacPhee Centre is located at 50 Queen Street, in Downtown Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 1G1. Our nearest intersection is Queen Street and Wentworth Street.

You can access our centre in many ways:

  • Car
    • For more information about parking see the parking subheading
  • Taxi
    • Helpful information for a driver is our address and our closest intersection as written above. A recognizable landmark is that our building is located across from the old post office.
  • Bus
    • The closest bus stop is King St After Portland St (Stop ID: 7058). It serves the bus routes, 53, 54, 55, and 62. The centre is 120m from this bus stop. 
    • The Alderney Gate Ferry Terminal (Stop ID: 6063) is 300m from the MacPhee Centre. It serves the bus routes, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 62, 158, 159, 161, 165, 168A, 168B
    • The MacPhee Centre can provide bus tickets for when you need to take the bus to our centre and home from it. Please ask Staff for bus tickets upon arrival/departure from our Centre
  • Walking
  • Bike/Scooter
    • The closest bike lock station is located on the sidewalk right outside of the MacPhee Centre. It has room for two bikes. Based on size and activity in the main floor space at the time, a bicycle or scooter may be stored inside as well. 

Digital Accessibility Statement

Our efforts to enhance the accessibility of our website and content include:

  1. Ongoing Evaluation: We are regularly evaluating our website for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Our goal is to meet or exceed Level AA standards.
  2. Improvement Plan: We have an accessibility improvement plan in place and are dedicated to addressing any issues that may be identified during our assessments.
  3. User Feedback: We welcome feedback from users. If you encounter any accessibility issues or have suggestions for improvement, please contact Julia at julia at macpheecentre dot ca
  4. Training: Our team is undergoing training to raise awareness of accessibility issues and learn how to implement best practices.
  5. Accessibility Features: We are working to implement accessible features on our website, such as alt text for images, proper headings, keyboard navigation, and more.

While we work towards achieving a more accessible website and content, we acknowledge that some areas may still require improvement. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make these necessary changes.

We are committed to providing an inclusive online experience for all visitors to our website. Our dedication to accessibility aligns with our mission to foster creativity and learning in our community.

Sensory Access

The sensory stimulation at MacPhee Centre tends to vary depending on the program. Our interior is mostly open plan, with few closed-door spaces.

  • Noise: the noise level at the MacPhee Centre tends to vary depending on the program. The building can be creaky and rattles depending on the weather and the construction across the street.
  • Lighting: We use a few different light sources at the centre. There is a considerable amount of daylight. Our overhead lights are LED, and our gallery lights are track lights directed at the walls.

Available accommodations: 

  • We have multiple sets of noise canceling headphones that anyone can use while at the centre. Four (4) pairs are immediately accessible upon entry to MacPhee and additional are available upon request.
  • Our fishbowl recording studio (located on the second floor) is our designated quiet space; as well as our kitchen (located on the main floor) does have a door and can be a quieter space then our main program area.

If you have any suggestions on how we can improve our sensory access, please reach out to us at info@macpheecentre.ca

Parking

Street parking is available for the MacPhee Centre. The parking spaces are unlined. There is both pay parking, free half-hour parking (directly across from the MacPhee Centre, approximately 7 Meters), and free two-hour parking (around downtown, the closest section is approximately 50 Meters).

There is designated accessible parking (1 space) directly across from the MacPhee Centre, with clearly marked signs.

Front Entrance

The main door is the left most door when facing the MacPhee Centre. The door is manual and opens outwards. There is a 1”-2” lip/bump in the door frame. 

The front entrance is accessible by a ramp.

 

Programming Space

Our main program space has a variety of seating options, including tables and chairs, wobble stools, and couches. 

Main Floor/ Main Program Space: On the main floor, all our tables and chairs are on caster wheels and can be moved to best accommodate the needs of a program or individual. The path to the back of the building is left clear. There is a (1) gender-neutral bathroom, kitchen, and supply closet at the back of the building. The main floor is smooth and flat.

Supplementary Program Space / Second Floor

Our second floor is only accessible by stairs.

In the main space on this floor, our tables and chairs are mostly stationary. On this floor, there is a paint sink (to wash brushes), a (1) gender-neutral bathroom, and (1) fish bowl recording studio/ quiet space.

Loft Space/ Artist in Residence Studio: Our loft space is only accessible by stairs. The loft space is the main space for our NSCAD Artist-in-Residence. It has a few stationary and collapsible tables, cubbies for storage and lockable cabinets. 

Washrooms

There are (2) gender-neutral bathrooms at the MacPhee Centre. 

The first (1) single use bathroom is located on the main floor at the back of the building. There is a continuous, unobstructed route of travel from the entrance to the restroom. The handle for entering and exiting is a knob, and the door swings outwards into the hall. The toilet area and sink area are large enough for wheelchair maneuvering.

There are no grab bars currently mounted.

The second (2) single use bathroom is located on the second floor to the back of the building and near upstairs landing. The handle for entering and exiting is a knob, and the door swings inwards into the bathroom. This bathroom is only accessible via stairs. 

The bathroom on the second floor has Free items for anyone to take, including safe sex items, hygiene and care items, as well as a resource wall with phone numbers and websites for community services.