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About the NBCPD

The New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (NBCPD) was founded in 2020 by and for people with disabilities. Consistently, New Brunswickers from the disability community comprise 80% of our board. Our members come from all regions of the province.

The NBCPD was born out of the necessity to advocate for New Brunswickers with disabilities and help ensure:

  • Their rights under accessibility and human rights legislation are protected
  • They have equitable opportunities to fully participate in business, in employment, in their communities; and in New Brunswick society overall
  • Accessibility for the disability community that ultimately benefits all New Brunswickers
  • That development of all services, infrastructure and building projects in New Brunswick follows the guiding disability-inclusive principle of “Nothing about us without us”

 

New Brunswick has the second-largest disability community — the second-highest disability rate — in Canada. The 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability showed that 35.3% of New Brunswickers age 15 and older have at least one disability.

The NBCPD is a non-partisan, unfunded organization that has one objective — realizing an inclusive province in which all New Brunswickers with disabilities enjoy:

  • Improved living standards
  • Access to appropriate assistance
  • Full and equitable participation in society

Our Vision

A New Brunswick where people with disabilities no longer live in poverty and live as equals with all other citizens of the province.

Our Mission

Be the leading voice for New Brunswickers living with disabilities and advocate for their basic human rights so the disability community:

  • Is treated with dignity and respect
  • Can strive to achieve their full potential, and participate equitably and equally in New Brunswick society

Our Core Values

Respect

  • New Brunswickers with disabilities are people first.
  • Disability is just another way of experiencing life.

Equity and Equality

  • Equality alone is not enough. 
  • Equality assumes that if everyone is treated the same, or provided the exact same resources or opportunities, the outcome will be fair. 
  • Equity recognizes that disability is diverse. And different for each person. Equity involves providing specific or tailored resources a person needs to succeed; achieve their full potential; and reach an equal outcome.

Dignity

  • Disability is the world’s largest minority group.
  • Anyone may find themselves joining it at any point in their life through acquired disability. 
  • Treating people with disabilities with dignity is not just a matter of “being nice” or “doing the right thing” because it makes good business sense.
  • It’s a fundamental requirement for a healthy, properly functioning and prosperous New Brunswick society.
  • Treating all New Brunswickers with disabilities with dignity means acknowledging their personhood first and their disability second.
  • Failing to treat people with disabilities with dignity leads to exclusion.
  • This ultimately harms everyone.

Our Priorities

  • Every person matters.
  • As a province, we must strive to leave nobody behind.

Social Justice

Wellness, Mental Health & Recreation

  • Promoting accessible recreation
  • Reducing barriers to mental‑health resources
  • Fostering environments where people with disabilities can reach their full potential

Disability Awareness

  • Meaningful change begins with a greater understanding.
  • Understanding starts with being educated.
  • We are here to challenge misconceptions, promote accurate information and amplify lived experiences.