Centre on Aging and Disability Justice | St. Francis Xavier University

The Centre on Aging and Disability Justice at St. Francis Xavier University promotes human rights, equity, and social inclusion for older adults and people with disabilities. Our work focuses on identifying, understanding, and addressing social, cultural, economic, and environmental barriers that limit opportunities for participation in community life.

Guided by Age-Friendly University principles, the Centre fosters inclusive learning environments and community engagement. We advance interdisciplinary, applied research and policy analysis that supports lifelong learning, intergenerational collaboration, and experiential opportunities for students. The Centre’s projects, activities, and events use participatory, community‑partnered, and coalition‑based approaches to support meaningful involvement. We bring people and organizations together to build networks for greater collective impact.

What's Happening at the Centre

News

On January 20, 2026 there was a funding announcement for the GROW – Social Participation Collective Impact Project at St. Francis Xavier University delivered by Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Parliament for Cape-Breton-Canso-Antigonish, Jaime Battiste. More than 100 community members came together to learn, connect, and celebrate this important work. If you missed the launch or would like to revisit it - watch the full event here.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Canada for its investment through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, and to our many community partners across northeastern Nova Scotia who are committed to helping older adults stay connected and included. You can read more about the funding in the StFX news release here, and listen to Co-Directors Dr. Katie Aubrecht and Dr. Megan MacGillivray’s CBC Mainstreet interview here.

GROW—Social Participation is a community‑driven initiative focused on enhancing social participation for people aged 55+ in Northeastern Nova Scotia who experience accessibility barriers, or who have not been reached by programs in the past. In the coming months, we will be launching a new rural aging and accessibility network. Stay tuned for more information!