The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities is concerned with amendments to the Buildings Accessibility Act.
COD NL would normally join government in signing a proclamation for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, but is refraining from doing so this year due to what they call “concerning regressive actions by the current government.” Instead they held their own event yesterday afternoon.
Specifically, they cite amendments that include new definitions of persons with disabilities that exclude those with sensory disabilities and partial removal of the pre-1981 exemption.
They say government has not done enough consultation with members of the disability community, and when they have, they have not always listened.
Anne Malone
Activist Anne Malone, who has a sight impairment and attended the event, says their needs aren’t complex. She says in her personal experience, many of her issues can be fixed with a yellow strip on the edge of stairs, a clear sidewalk and accessible crosswalks. She says of nearly 160 crossings in St. John’s, less than ten per cent have audio functions.
She says they a not fighting for the moon, they are “fighting for the ground under our feet.”
As for the government not implementing the recommendations of their advisory board on these matters, she says it is disappointing.
She says one has to wonder if government creating these advisory boards only to ignore them is a “piece of theatre.”
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development Paul Pike
Meanwhile, the Minister Responsible, Paul Pike, says government values its relationship with the coalition and is reaching out for a meeting to discuss their concerns.
In a statement provided to VOCM News, Minister Pike says they share the coalition’s vision to create more inclusive and accessible communities and remove barriers for people with disabilities.
He says the Accessibility Act continues to work to improve accessibility and inclusion in the province, and the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board has been actively working to develop accessibility standards.
Pike says also under this legislation, public entities are responsible for making their initial accessibility plans public by December 31, 2023.
