Accessibility Act (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Accessibility Act
Long title An Act Respecting Accessibility in the Province
Citation	S.N.L. 2021, c. A-1.001
Assented to	November 4, 2021
Legislative history
Bill citation	Bill 38
Introduced by	John Abbott MHA, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
First reading	October 19, 2021
Second reading	October 25, 2021
Third reading	November 2, 2021
Status: Current legislation

The Accessibility Act is 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

• 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.
• Accessible 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

1. "2021 Bill 38". www.assembly.nl.ca. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
2. "Accessibility Act". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
3. Hood, Jillian (July 5, 2022). "Provincial Government Establishes Accessibility Standards Advisory Board under the Accessibility Act". News Releases. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
4. "Disability Policy Office". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
5. "Inclusion and Accessibility Policies". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
6. Battcock, Victoria (October 25, 2021). "New Accessibility Act Proposed for Newfoundland and Labrador". News Releases. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
7. "Inclusion and Accessibility Policies". Children, Seniors and Social Development. Retrieved February 28, 2023.

External links

• Lainey Feingold's Global Law and Policy: New Foundland and Labrador