NL Health Services’ Accessibility Plan

Did you know that 1 in 4 people in Newfoundland and Labrador identify as having a disability? Others also face barriers, including Indigenous communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, new Canadians and seniors.

Everyone has the right to receive equitable health care services. At Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services, our goal is to provide quality health care to all residents of the province. To do that, we must understand the barriers to access individuals experiencing inequalities face and work hard to remove or reduce those barriers. Our Accessibility Plan will improve accessibility to our programs and services for persons with disabilities by identifying, preventing and actively working to address barriers that prevent access. Finalized in 2024, specific actions will be developed and implemented in 2025 and 2026 with consultation from key partners and the public. Health equity is one of our five strategic priorities for 2024 – 2026.

Read the plan

Fully accessible web version

Download a pdf

How can you participate?

As we implement the plan, we want to listen to and learn from those with lived experiences. Our goal is to ensure diverse perspectives and lived experiences are reflected in the plan. Please engage with us as we implement this important strategy. While we may not be able to address each individual concern raised, we promise to listen and learn from your diverse perspectives and lived experiences and reflect your concerns and hopes in our actions.

Participation Opportunities

Accessibility Community: Registration Form

If you are an individual with lived experience, consider joining the NL Health Services Accessibility Community. Members will be contacted by email and asked their opinions on actions being considered as we implement the plan. Participation is voluntary and your feedback will be confidential.

Share your Experience: Accessibility Barriers

Tell us about the barriers to accessibility you have witnessed or experienced.
You must be logged in to provide your input.

Updates and Reports

Pie chart that shows Accessibility Barriers: 7% employment; 7% training; 14% access and supportive services; 22% communications; and 50% built environment and infrastructure.

What We Heard Report: Accessibility Plan Stage One Engagement

Find out what we heard from stage one of the NL Health Services Accessibility Plan.

Definitions

Accommodation: An accommodation is any technical aid or device, personal support or disability-related support or other accommodation a person may require. This can include (but is not limited to): accessible meeting rooms; accessible formats such as Braille and plain language; mobility supports to attend a meeting; and, sign language interpreters, captioning or ensuring space has sensory sensitive features.
Barrier: A barrier means anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in society, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, or a barrier established or perpetuated by an Act, regulations, a policy or a practice.
Disability: The Accessibility Act says: “a disability includes a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation that is permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, that, in interaction with a barrier, prevents a person from fully participating in society.”
Equity: Equity is a commitment to fairness. Equitable access is different from equal access. Equality means everybody is treated the same; equity means everybody is treated fairly, based on their needs and abilities.