Accessibility

Supporting full and equal participation in New Brunswick society.

GNB Accessibility Plan

This plan describes actions that government departments and agencies will take to increase accessibility in government spaces and operations over the next three years.

Access the Accessibility Plan

Strategic Plan on Accessibility

First five-year strategic plan on accessibility 

Access the Strategic Plan on Accessibility

Overview

Over a third of New Brunswickers over the age of 15 have a disability.

The Accessibility Act aims to improve accessibility by removing barriers. It focuses on eight priorities:

  • government services
  • transportation
  • education
  • employment
  • the built environment (e.g. indoor and outdoor public spaces)
  • housing
  • information and communications
  • sports and recreation

Understanding accessibility

Accessibility is built on the social model of disability and human rights principles.

A barrier, combined with an impairment, results in a disability. Disabilities reduce full and equal participation in society. Barriers need to be identified, removed and prevented.  

Impairments may be permanent, temporary or episodic. Many people with disabilities experience more than one type of impairment and/or barrier.

Barriers

The following barriers are listed in the Act:
  • physical
  • structural
  • information or communication
  • attitude
  • technology 
  • policies or practices

 

Impairments

The Act considers all types of impairments and limitations, including:
  • physical
  • mental
  • intellectual or cognitive
  • learning
  • communication 
  • sensory 

GNB released its first strategic plan on accessibility. It outlines key objectives and actions to improve accessibility from 2025-2030. Planning for the development of regulatory standards is underway. Information about opportunities to be involved in engagement and/or Advisory Committees will be added as it becomes available.

Access the Strategic Plan on Accessibility

Recent actions and next steps

  • The Accessibility Office is working with people with disabilities and those who experience barriers to learn more about barriers and find ways to improve accessibility.  
  • The Accessibility Office is working to promote awareness about accessibility. 
  • The provincial government has released a five-year strategic plan to work with all sectors to improve accessibility. 
  •  The Accessibility Advisory Board is establishing advisory committees to help develop recommendations for accessibility standards in Accessible Information and Communications and Accessible Employment. 
  • GNB has released its first accessibility plan. It outlines how all government departments are working to make New Brunswick more accessible.

Accessibility Office

The Accessibility Office works to identify, prevent and remove barriers to full and equal participation in society. The Accessibility Office works with persons with disabilities and their representatives, the Accessibility Advisory Board and with the government, the private sector and community organizations to create a more accessible New Brunswick. This is done by: 

  • seeking input on barriers from persons with disabilities
  • supporting accessibility standards
  • promoting public awareness

Accessibility Advisory Board

Ten people were chosen for the Accessibility Advisory Board. The majority of Board members are persons with lived experience of disability.

The Board provides advice to the minister on:

  • accessibility standards
  • actions needed to remove barriers
  • how to improve equal access for all New Brunswickers 

Board meeting summaries and annual report are available online. The Board will establish advisory committees to work on accessibility standards. More information will be added soon on how you can apply.

Meet the Board members and access the Annual Report and meeting summaries

Current opportunities

There are no opportunities open at this time.

Engagement

Do you have input to share?

Your feedback matters to us. If you have ideas on how to make New Brunswick more accessible, or if you want to identify a barrier, we encourage you to reach out. There are several ways to contact us, and you can learn more by following the link below.

Engage with us

Data and Engagement Findings

This page includes research findings and reports from our office and other organizations. Please click here to learn more.

Get help

Accessibility Office
For additional inquiries, you can contact us Monday to Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.