Disability
Disability
Persons with disabilities represent approximately 30% of the population of Newfoundland and Labrador (Statistics Canada). Read topics below for more information on disability rights, protections, and government programs.
Laws & Legal Protections
Global
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Canada adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010 and is a commitment to ensuring people with disabilities have full human rights, focusing on equality, accessibility, and inclusion in areas like education, work, and legal recognition.
Federal
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1982
Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifically protects persons with disabilities by guaranteeing everyone the right to equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination based on physical or mental disability, along with other grounds like race, sex, and age.
Canadian Human Rights Act 1985
Canadian Human Rights Act Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity in federally regulated areas (e.g., federal government, banks, airlines) based on grounds like race, sex, disability, religion, age, etc
Accessible Canada Act
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) is a 2019 federal law aiming to create a barrier-free Canada by 2040 by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with disabilities in areas under federal jurisdiction, like employment, transportation, and communication, guided by the principle “Nothing Without Us” (consulting people with disabilities).
Provincial
Human Rights Act, 2010
NL Human Rights Act Prohibits discrimination — including disability-based discrimination — in services, employment, housing, etc.
Adult Protection Act
NL Adult Protection Act Protects vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect.
Newfoundland and Labrador Accessibility Act
The NL Accessibility Act is a provincial law designed to identify, prevent, and remove barriers to accessibility and full participation by persons with disabilities. Includes creation of accessibility standards and plans.
Programs, Grants & Supports
Federal
Disability Tax Credit
The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family member, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.
Provincial
NL Disability Benefit
The NL Disability Benefit provides Financial support for eligible persons with disabilities in NL (provincial).
Special Assistance Program – Medical equipment and assistive devices
The Special Assistance Program provides medical supplies and assistive devices to assist individuals living in the community who meet the eligibility criteria for the program. For more information on accessing this service contact NL Health Services.
Accessible Vehicle Funding
Accessible Vehicle Funding program supports individuals or families to adapt personal vehicles for accessibility. This could include installation of hand controls or modifying vans to be equipped with lifts and ramps. Click here for link to the NL Accessible Vehicle Funding
Advocacy & Community Organizations
Provincial
Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission is a free service that is available to people in Newfoundland and Labrador. The office has a mandate to
- Protect Human Rights
- Promote Human Rights
Disability Policy Office (Gov NL)
The Disability Policy Office of Newfoundland and Labrador is an office within Social Supports and Wellbeing. This office coordinates disability policies, removes barriers, and advises on inclusion.
Coalition of Persons with Disabilities NL (COD-NL)
The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities NL is a cross-disability advocacy, education, barrier identification, policy influence. Nancy Reid is executive director of COD-NL.
Other Resources
Federal
AssistiveTechnology.ca
AssistiveTechnoloy.ca is a knowledge hub whose mission is to build a knowledge network of Assistive Technology in Canada and present this knowledge in an accessible format.