‘We should not be considered an afterthought,’ says disability rights advocate

Over the past several weeks there have been many provincial and federal announcements, including increases to old age security pension, funding for affordable housing and a low-income Internet plan.

But governments need to do more to ensure efforts like these actually reach people with disabilities, who continue to struggle.

Seniors over the age of 75 will see an increase in their old age security pension. This still leaves out both seniors who are not old enough and people with disabilities.

There has been federal funding allocated to address the housing crisis, which is great news. I know there are plans to build more housing, but what about wheelchair accessible housing?

Nobody asked to be disabled. We are just asking for our needs to be met. Housing is a human right, and no one should be excluded.

New Brunswick’s Household Income Policy is an example of discrimination against social assistance recipients who live with a disability. Axing the Household Income Policy would increase the possibilities for informal support and make the cost of living more affordable for people with disabilities and the people they choose to live with.

The role of our provincial ombudsmen is to advocate and stop discrimination. There is currently a child and youth ombudsman, as well as a seniors ombudsman.

Why does one of the most vulnerable groups in our province, people with disabilities, not have an advocate? We make up to 26.7 percent of the province’s population. Not everyone with a disability is able to advocate for themselves.

Municipalities also need to better serve people with disabilities.

Many people rely on public transportation, to get to work or just to go somewhere within the community. Saint John Transit offers reduced prices on monthly passes for students ($66), seniors and children ($55). Both are significantly cheaper than the regular adult pass, which costs $77 per month.

The difference might not seem like much to more privileged members of society, but many people with disabilities struggle with poverty. We should have access to all incentive programs and not be considered an afterthought.

People with disabilities are not asking for anything more than we deserve: a decent quality of life.

It’s time for disability discrimination to end. It is time for Canada, New Brunswick and our municipalities to do better and stop ignoring people with disabilities.

Kaitlyn Layden is a Saint John-based disability rights advocate.