The Newfoundland and Labrador Accessibility Act was an act introduced under the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development[1] which became law on December 3, 2021.[2] One of the key elements of the act is the creation of an Accessibility Standards Advisory Board.[3] The act also creates a Disability Policy Office which works with all government departments and agencies.[4][5]
The Bill is intended to:
- Establish accessibility standards to improve accessibility;
- Create an advisory board to make recommendations to the minister regarding accessibility standards;
- Require an individual, organization or public body that is subject to an accessibility standard to take actions to prevent barriers from being created and to identify and remove barriers;
- Ensure public bodies prepare accessibility plans every three years and make them publicly available; and
- Provide inspection and enforcement to enforce these standards.[6]
The Disability Policy Office will:
- Support the implementation and administration of this Act and the regulations;
- Provide policy and communication support[7] for this Act and the regulations;
- Support the development and implementation of public education and awareness on the purpose of this Act.
- Improve opportunities for persons with disabilities by examining and reviewing measures, policies, practices and other requirements;
- Identify and study issues of concern to persons with disabilities and recommend action where appropriate; and
- Provide administrative support for the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board.
See also
edit- Accessible Canada Act for the corresponding Federal Canadian legislation.
- Ontarians with Disabilities Act for the corresponding Ontario provincial legislation.
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act for the corresponding Nova Scotia provincial legislation.
- The Accessibility for Manitobans Act for the corresponding Manitoba provincial legislation.
- The Accessibility for Saskatchewan Act for the corresponding Saskatchewan provincial legislation.
- Accessible British Columbia Act for the corresponding British Columbia provincial legislation.
- Disability Discrimination Act for the corresponding UK legislation.
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for the corresponding American federal legislation.
References
edit- ^ "2021 Bill 38". www.assembly.nl.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ "Accessibility Act". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ Hood, Jillian (2022-07-05). "Provincial Government Establishes Accessibility Standards Advisory Board under the Accessibility Act". News Releases. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ "Disability Policy Office". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ "Inclusion and Accessibility Policies". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ Battcock, Victoria (2021-10-25). "New Accessibility Act Proposed for Newfoundland and Labrador". News Releases. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ "Inclusion and Accessibility Policies". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved 2023-02-28.