The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, joined representatives from the community of persons with disabilities to celebrate their achievements and contributions on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This annual observance aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. This year’s theme is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world”.
To begin the celebration, Minister Abbott, Fraser Piccott, Chair of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, and Nancy Reid, Chair of the Network of Disability Organizations, signed the proclamation for International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the United Nations flag behind them. For the remainder of the day, the United Nations Flag will be flying at Confederation Building.
In addition, Minister Abbott advised that the province’s new groundbreaking legislation, the Accessibility Act, received Royal Assent on November 4, 2021, and is now law. This enabling legislation outlines the principles and goals for an accessible province. The Accessibility Act will improve accessibility by identifying, preventing and removing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from full participation in society.
A key element of the new legislation is establishing an Accessibility Standards Advisory Board. The board will be responsible for advising and making recommendations to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities regarding the establishment and content of accessibility standards and the time periods for implementation. Furthermore, Minister Abbott announced that the Independent Appointments Commission will open the application process for the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board today. For those interested in applying, please visit www.iacnl.ca/
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to ensuring equitable access to services and opportunities for persons with disabilities. For more information, please visit the department’s website.
Quotes
“Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities and this year’s theme which highlights leadership and participation of persons with disabilities is enshrined in the province’s new accessibility legislation. Through the establishment of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board people with disabilities and organizations that represent them will help make this province more accessible and inclusive. I encourage those interested in becoming a member of the Advisory Board to apply through the Independent Appointments Commission.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“The significance of this Accessibility Legislation coming into force on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities can’t be understated. It is an excellent day to celebrate human rights and accessibility for all in this province.”
Fraser Piccott
Chair of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
“The Network of Disability Organizations Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to join the Provincial Government in celebration of both International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the proclamation of the Accessibility Act. This day reminds us that all persons have the right to equal access and full inclusion in society. Today, we embrace and celebrate new accessibility legislation as the means toward a future of full inclusion for persons with disabilities in this province.”
Nancy Reid
Chair of the Network of Disability Organizations
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Learn more
Information on the Accessibility Act
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Media contacts
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca
Fraser Piccott
Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
709-330-2659
fraserpiccott@yahoo.ca
Nancy Reid
Network of Disability Organizations
709-722-7011
nancy@codnl.ca