If you live in Saint John, you know the city has room to grow when it comes to accessibility. Now, residents living with disabilities are stepping up to make the city and the rest of Canada more accessible. Through a national database platform called The Accessibility Exchange, locals use their daily experiences to audit federally regulated services. According to CBC News, this initiative connects organizations like banks and telecommunication companies with people who are deaf or have disabilities to develop informed accessibility plans.

The Push for an Accessible City

Karen Powell uses a wheelchair and wants to eliminate the significant barriers present in Saint John. She recently signed up as an auditor for the platform. “I just find that my city is not disabled friendly. And the more people that push and bring awareness to the city’s disability needs, the more the city will become disabled friendly sooner,” Powell said. The need for action is clear. A 2023 Statistics Canada report reveals New Brunswick has an overall disability rate of 35.3 percent. This stands as the second highest in the country. Powell recently spoke to a crowd at the Irving Oil Field House to recruit more local auditors. By the end of the meeting, a majority of the attendees signed up to help.

Getting Paid for Expertise

The Accessibility Exchange aims to accelerate the Accessible Canada Act. This legislation requires organizations to consult people with disabilities when creating accessibility plans. The nonprofit New Society Institute runs the exchange. Managing director Doris Rajan notes the platform helps facilities like Service Canada Centres understand the diverse needs of their communities. Consultations happen online, and participating organizations pay the consultants. “A really important thing was that a lot of people with disabilities and deaf people are asked for advice free of charge and as a volunteer,” Rajan said. “And we really wanted it to be a way to earn a fair compensation for their expertise.”

Overcoming Daily Barriers

Marisa Hersey Misner joined the initiative to remove obstacles for people living with sight loss. She faces daily challenges, such as riding buses without stop announcements and crossing streets without audible pedestrian signals. You will find that these hurdles complicate finding employment and navigating healthcare. Daphne Enns also signed up. She uses a wheelchair and highlights how inaccessible spaces impact social and family life. Finding an accessible restaurant patio in uptown Saint John often proves impossible. “When businesses aren’t accessible, when information isn’t easily accessible, they’re not just losing money from me not going, they’re losing money from a family of four,” Enns said. She appreciates that the virtual audits value her experience and directly influence future policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Accessibility Exchange?

The Accessibility Exchange is a national database platform that connects federally regulated services with people who are deaf or have disabilities to create informed accessibility plans.

Do auditors get paid for their work?

Yes. Participating organizations pay the consultants for their time and expertise, ensuring they receive fair compensation rather than working as volunteers.

Why is this initiative important for New Brunswick?

New Brunswick has an overall disability rate of 35.3 percent, which is the second highest in Canada. Local advocates say Saint John currently falls behind the rest of the country regarding accessibility options.