While government touts the new Accessibility Act and Health Accord NL, disabled Newfoundlanders face life-threatening situationsPublished Jun 13, 2025 • Last updated 12 hours ago • 2 minute readConfederation Building in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. File photo Photo by staff /THE TELEGRAMWhile our government celebrates the new Accessibility Act and Health Accord NL, disabled Newfoundlanders and Labradorians face a life-threatening combination of poverty and systemic discrimination.The gap between government promises and reality has become deadly.Income Support rates of $1,169 monthly force impossible choices between food, medications, and utilities. When you can’t afford accessible housing or reliable transportation, approved mobility equipment sits unused while people remain trapped in unsuitable homes.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentEven when non-profits secure funding for life-changing equipment, bureaucratic barriers prevent access.The compounded impact is devastating:Can’t afford appropriate housingCan’t access approved mobility equipmentCan’t afford reliable transportationCan’t attend medical appointmentsCan’t participate in communityCan’t escape povertyTRANSPORATION ISSUESGoBus users face multi-hour waits and missed appointments. When you can’t afford taxis ($40+ each way) and can’t access public transit, medical care becomes an unaffordable luxury.The working poor and those on fixed incomes must choose between food and health.The mental health toll is catastrophic. Forced isolation, denied independence, and constant financial stress are driving disabled NLers to contemplate end-of-life options. Yet our government celebrates “progress” while its citizens suffer in legislated poverty.Article contentRead More Among Canadian provinces, N.L. has largest spike in child poverty for children under age six COMMENTARY: Poverty reduction plan good first step for Newfoundland and Labrador, but long road ahead DEMANDS TO BE METIncome support rates that reflect real living costsRelease of all approved mobility equipmentEmergency accessible housing solutionsAffordable transportation optionsElimination of medical care barriersReal accountability for systemic failuresTo our elected officials, your “progress” is meaningless while disabled citizens live in deep poverty. Your celebrations are hollow while people choose between food, death via MAID (where applicable) and medicine.To the public, this crisis affects everyone. One accident, one diagnosis, one job loss – that’s all it takes to fall into this trap of poverty and disability barriers.The question isn’t whether we can afford to fix these systems. The question is: How many more lives will be destroyed before we do?Angie Follett (aka Au Addison Cochrane) St. John’sArticle content
LETTER: Poverty and disability a deadly crisis NL ignores
