Abilympics Showcase and Competition
About International Abilympics
The International Abilympics competition is held every four years and aims to provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to showcase their skills in an international competition setting.
The 10th International Abilympics Competition took place in Metz, France in March 2023. Five competitors from Nova Scotia represented Team Canada and came home with four bronze medals. Their incredible success inspired this pilot program.
Worldskills Finland will host the Abilympics Competition in Helsinki in May 2027.
Currently, in Nova Scotia, there is a Mainland and Cape Breton Abilympics Competition that aims to provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to showcase their skills at a provincial level.
In 2026 the Abilympics competition is going to be followed up with an Abilympics skills test between the Mainland and Cape Breton to decide who will be competing in Helsinki in 2027.
The Abilympics Showcase
The Abilympics Showcase offers participating program members the chance to explore different competition areas and discover which one might be the best fit before committing to the full competition. The day will consist of opening and closing ceremonies, four different workshops and a mini career showcase. Lunch will be provided for both participants and support persons. The Abilympics Showcase will be on hold as we prepare Team Canada to travel to International Abilympics and will return in the Fall of 2027.
Abilympics Competition
Nova Scotia Provincial Abilympics Competitions take place on the Mainland as well as on Cape Breton Island in the Winter.
In the summer of 2026, gold medalists in photography, cooking, and floral arranging will advance to a Team Canada Skills Test, where they’ll have the chance to qualify for the International Abilympics in Helsinki, 2027.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Abilympics Competitions will be on hold in Winter 2027 as we prepare Team Canada to travel to International Abilympics and will return in the Winter 2028.
Abilympics Training Sessions
Between the Abilympics Showcase and the Provincial Nova Scotia Abilympics Competition organized training sessions are provided by our dedicated volunteers to help prepare competitors for the competition in the Winter.
Abilympics Competition Contest Descriptions
Listed below are the 2026 Abilympics showcase and competition areas that you can register for.
Photography
What makes a photograph stand out from the rest? Use technical skills and your creative eye to explore a theme and capture the world as you see it.
Cooking
Show Nova Scotia your cooking skills as you take a classic Chicken Noodle soup and grilled cheese and make it your own!
Floral Arrangement
Get in tune with nature and showcase your artistic eye and creativity and learn to design your own Floral arrangements.
Job Search
Unleash your potential in the ‘Job Search’ zone, where you’ll work to master the art of landing your dream job with expert tips, tools, and strategies!
Poster Design - *NSCC Ivany Campus Graphic Design Program Only*
Let your creative spark shine in the Poster Design Competition, where your design can inspire, empower, and make an impact!
Abilympics Showcase Registration
SHOWCASE REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Abilympics Competitions will be on hold in Winter 2027 as we prepare Team Canada to travel to International Abilympics and will return in the Winter 2028.
Rules & Regulations
The Abilympics Showcase and Competition is open to any person with a disability aged 16 years or older who is enrolled in either programming with The Prescott Group, STEPs on Arthur, or the NSCC Achieve Program (NSCC Sydney Waterfront, Akerley, Truro, & IT Campuses).
Participants must be a resident of Nova Scotia.
Participants must have completed and submitted a signed release form or have had a form submitted on their behalf by a parent or guardian if under the age of 19.
Each competition area has a limited number of registration spaces. Registrations are processed on a lottery basis, meaning that if more than one person from a single organization applies to a competition area than a name will be chosen blindly and at random to fill the spot. There will be a minimum of one space available for each of the organizations partnered with this pilot programme (NSCC Achieve, The Prescott Group , STEPs on Arthur & Building Futures.).
Participants are eligible to apply for travel reimbursement to and from their contest location. For more information and to apply for travel reimbursement please refer to the Travel Reimbursement Form.
Skills Canada – Nova Scotia awards gold, silver and bronze medals for each competition area. The individual achieving the highest score is awarded the gold medal. The individual achieving the second highest score is awarded the silver medal, and the third highest scoring individual is awarded the bronze medal.
Questions & Answers
The Abilympics Showcase pilot is free to participate in. There is no registration fee for this program. SCNS will reimburse some of the costs of travel to/from the showcase as well as some approved training supplies. You can access the form here: Nova Scotia Skills Abilympics – Travel & Expenses Reimbursement Form
As this is a pilot program, winners of the Abiympics showcase pilot will not be able to progress to the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition. We hope to be able to offer a pathway for participants to attend the National Competition in the future.
Additional Accessibilty Programming
At Skills Canada – Nova Scotia, we believe that everyone should have equal access to our programs, competitions and opportunities. To learn more visit to our Accessibility Services page
