• About
  • Join the Co-op / Donate
  • Contact
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • Articles en français
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
  • Articles en français
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
No Result
View All Result
NB MEDIA CO-OP
No Result
View All Result
Home New Brunswick

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

Kaitlyn’s disability awareness series, part 8

by Kaitlyn Layden
April 23, 2022
Reading Time: 2min read

Kaitlyn Layden. Photo by Shaelynn Harnish.

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. 

Tags: Kaitlyn Layden
Send

Related Posts

Higgs believes his policies are working. As a disabled New Brunswicker, that scares me.
Disabilities

Higgs believes his policies are working. As a disabled New Brunswicker, that scares me.

October 18, 2024

Having been born with a disability, my life has been far from easy. I have gone through countless surgeries and...

Go Barrier Free project to help shape new accessibility standards [video]
Disabilities

Go Barrier Free project to help shape new accessibility standards [video]

March 22, 2024

For someone with a disability such as visual impairment, everyday tasks like catching a bus can be difficult. Without an...

New Brunswick’s housing crisis for people with disabilities
Disabilities

FIRST PERSON: I’m immune-compromised. When home care workers get sick, I do too.

May 8, 2023

I have cerebral palsy. There are many different types of CP, but what I have known as Spasic Diplegia –...

Being disabled is not cause for inspiration. Fighting discriminatory policies is.
Disabilities

Being disabled is not cause for inspiration. Fighting discriminatory policies is.

March 25, 2023

As someone with a disability, I can tell you that having a disability, whether it be a physical disability such...

Load More

Recommended

Brian Beaton Annual Prize in Journalism for Justice / Le prix annuel de journalisme Brian Beaton pour la justice

Les candidatures sont ouvertes pour le prix annuel de journalisme Brian Beaton pour la justice

4 days ago
Nominations open for Brian Beaton Annual Prize in Journalism for Justice

Nominations open for Brian Beaton Annual Prize in Journalism for Justice

4 days ago
Residents call public hearing a ‘sham’ after councillors approve industrial park expansion [video]

Residents call public hearing a ‘sham’ after councillors approve industrial park expansion [video]

4 days ago
NB Media Co-op

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Join the Co-op / Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • Calendar
  • Archives

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Join the Co-op / Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • COVID-19
  • Videos
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Politics
  • Rural

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

X
Did you like this article? Support the NB Media Co-op! Vous avez aimé cet article ? Soutenez la Coop Média NB !
Join/Donate