Digital Government and Service NL thanks those who participated in the consultation process on the Building Accessibility Act. Feedback was used to inform the What We Heard document.
The Buildings Accessibility Act came into effect in 1981. The purpose of this Act is to provide people with physical and sensory disabilities access to public buildings, apartment-type buildings, hotels and building links, and to ensure compliance with buildings accessibility standards.
In 2018, amendments were made to regulations – the first phase of a multi-phased approach to addressing issues with buildings accessibility. These amendments included an increased number of accessible units required in an apartment complex with more than four units; improved accessibility to public washrooms; increased requirement for accessible parking spaces; and increased fines for illegally parking in blue zone parking spots. In 2019, the Buildings Accessibility Advisory Board (BAAB), established under the Act, were then tasked with conducting a full and comprehensive review of the Buildings Accessibility Act. The Board’s recommendations were received in July 2021 and can be viewed here.
Following receipt of these recommendations, Digital Government and Service NL partnered with the Public Engagement and Planning Division to host three virtual consultation sessions and conduct an online questionnaire to solicit feedback from all stakeholder groups on the BAAB recommendations. This process concluded in February 2022 and is consolidated into the What We Heard document.
Officials are now researching best practices from other Canadian provinces/territories. Once the work is complete, recommendations to amend the Buildings Accessibility Act will be brought forward to the House of Assembly for approval. The proposed changes will be made publically available and further debate will take place to ensure the outcome of improved accessibility to public buildings is achieved.
Any personal information received will be governed in accordance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and will only be used for the purpose of informing participants of public engagement results at the end of the process.
If you have any questions about how this information was collected, used and disclosed, please email Christopher McGee at: [email protected].
Contact Us
If you have any questions or additional comments regarding the consultations on the Buildings Accessibility Act, or require an alternate format, please contact Christopher McGee at 709-729-1002 or email [email protected].
