Saint John Ability Advisory Committee

11/14/2025

How are you planning to use our new standard on Plain Language in your work?

Canada now has its first national standard on plain language!

This free, practical tool helps organizations:
• identify audiences and the barriers they face
• structure communications for clarity and accessibility
• make information easy to find, understand, and use

Benefits everyone:
• Audiences get information they can trust and act on.
• Organizations reduce misunderstandings, save time and resources, and build stronger connections.

Use the standard today: https://ow.ly/7MBr50Xo3TJ



Alt-text: Text reads: “How will you use our new Plain Language Standard? Use the standard, start today!” A circular icon shows two people talking with a checkmark above them. The bottom of the image shows the Accessibility Standards Canada signature and the Canada wordmark.

11/13/2025

How to Get to the Human Library Event on December 3rd

Location: Saint John Free Public Library - Central Branch
Google/Apple Maps: Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square

1. Market Square Paid Underground Parking (Image 1)

- Enter the underground parking from Smythe Street.
- Park anywhere and look for the central tower that contains the elevator.
- Take the elevator up to the 2nd Level.
[Please note that the Market Square entrance to the public elevator does not have an automatic door opener. This may make it difficult or impossible for wheelchair users who are arriving alone. If you need an accessible alternative, the service elevator is available. We recognize this isn’t an ideal option and are advocating for change]
- When you get out, go straight ahead, then turn right.
- Continue to the end of the hallway - the library entrance will be at the end of the hall. (Image 5)

2. Brunswick Square Paid Parking Garage [5-minute travel] (Image 2)

- Enter the Brunswick Square parking garage from Union Street.
- Park and find the mall doors labeled 3rd Level Brunswick Square.
- Once inside Brunswick Square Mall, take the elevator down to Level 2.
- Proceed past Tim Horton’s and continue into the pedway.
- Near the escalators, take the second elevator down one more level.
- Go through the next pedway and into Market Square.
- Continue straight until the end of the floor - you will arrive at the library entrance. (Image 5)

3. Walking or Taking the Bus

- Enter Market Square at the corner of King Street & St. Patrick Street. (Image 3)
• There are automatic doors slightly farther up on the St. Patrick Street side. (Image 4)
- Continue straight down the hallway toward the atrium.
- Angle diagonally to the right across the atrium toward the right-most wall.
- Follow the wall past the stairs until you reach an elevator.
- Take it to the 2nd Level.
- Head straight out, then turn right, and towards the end of the hallway - the library entrance will be at the end of the hall. (Image 5)

Note: On-street metered parking is available along King Street, be aware that the hill is quite steep and may not be suitable for everyone.

There are also other public and private lots scattered throughout uptown that can be found using Google Maps or Apple Maps, but we can’t speak to their conditions, accessibility, pricing, or distance from the Market Square Library.

For the most reliable and accessible options with indoor access directly to the library, the Market Square underground parking and the Brunswick Square parking garage remain your best and most reliable choices.

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Image Descriptions:

Image 1 – Market Square Underground Parking (Smythe Street Entrance)
A street-level view of the Market Square underground parking entrance on Smythe Street. The brick building has a recessed driveway leading down into the parking area, with signs indicating “Market Square Parking.” The surrounding sidewalk and nearby parked cars frame the scene.

Image 2 – Brunswick Square Parking Garage (Union Street Entrance)
A large concrete parking structure with open metal siding showing multiple garage levels. The entrance is on a slight incline from Union Street, marked with signage for “Brunswick Square Parking.” Yellow barriers and directional signs guide vehicles into the garage.

Image 3 – Market Square Entrance (King St / St. Patrick St Corner)
A wide view of the Market Square building at the corner of King Street and St. Patrick Street. The entrance is glass-fronted with a peaked roof, and surrounding brick buildings line the street. Wayfinding signs and pedestrians are visible nearby.

Image 4 – Accessible Entrance on St. Patrick Street
A close-up of the accessible entrance on St. Patrick Street, showing a street-level doorway with ramps and an automatic door button. Large glass windows and a red-brick frame mark the entrance, with trees and sidewalk visible around it.

Image 5 – Library Entrance Inside Market Square
An interior view of Market Square showing the public library’s second-level entrance. The library façade features red brick, large windows, and “Public Library / Bibliothèque” signage. Railings, tiled flooring, and part of the atrium below can also be seen.

11/12/2025

Have you ever heard a story that changed how you see the world?

Join us on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this December 3rd, at the Saint John Free Public Library in Market Square for:

The Human Library - where people are the books, and conversations open minds.

Real people share real experiences of disability, accessibility, and resilience.

Come listen, learn, and challenge what you thought you knew.

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Image Description:

Promotional poster for a “Human Library” event in Saint John.

The top features the phrases “Don’t judge a book by its cover” on the left and “Read a person, not a page” on the right in purple text.

The center graphic shows the word HUMAN spelled across five vertical book spines, each with a white human figure on a black background — representing diverse abilities, including a wheelchair user, a person with a guide dog, a person with a cane, and a person with a hearing aid.
Below, bold black text reads LIBRARY.

A purple banner underneath says: “Stories of Disability, Accessibility, and Lived Experience.”

Event details are listed below:
📍 Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square, Saint John
📅 December 3rd, 2025
🕐 12:30pm – 3:00pm

Highlighted text announces:

Flag Raising and Proclamation at City Hall 12PM.

The event is free, in-person, and will include ASL interpreters.

It notes free accessible transit available with contact info to book

(506) 648-0609 or sjaac.accesssj@gmail.com

At the bottom, logos appear for Key Industries, Access SJ, Saint John Free Public Library, City of Saint John, and Saint John Ability Advisory Committee.

A purple footer bar reads:
Contact on Facebook for questions.

The overall color scheme is white, black, and purple, with accessible and inclusive design elements.

11/12/2025

The Human Library™ is an event in which real people are on loan to the public. Individuals volunteer as “Human Books,” and participants become “Readers” duri...

11/12/2025

CALL TO PARTICIPATE! 📢

Have you ever wanted others to understand life from your perspective?

Now’s your chance!

The Saint John Ability Advisory Committee is looking for participants to take part in our upcoming Human Library event on December 3, 2025, as part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

We’re looking for individuals willing to be “books” - real people sharing real experiences to help others see beyond stereotypes.

See our previous posts for more information on what a Human Library is all about.

Share your story, spark connection, and promote awareness of diverse abilities.

To apply, email sjaac.accesssj@gmail.com with your contact info and “topic”.

Selections will be based on diversity of stories and space available.

Spaces are limited, so apply soon - and help us build understanding, one conversation at a time!

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Image Description:

A square poster with a light purple, cloudy background promoting participation in a Human Library event.

At the top, large purple text reads: “Be a Topic in the Human Library!”

Below it, smaller text says, “Share your story. Challenge stigma. Inspire understanding.”

A stylized open-book graphic sits beneath the title.

The next section asks in purple text, “Are you someone with lived experience with a disability?” followed by an invitation: “We’re inviting you to be a ‘book’ in our Human Library event at the Market Square Library on Dec 3, 2025.”

Centered in a bordered purple box is the bold text “Human Library.”

Below it: “Help others see beyond labels by sharing your unique perspective.”

Further down, bold text reads “Interested?” followed by instructions: “Email sjaac.accesssj@gmail.com with your contact info + topic. Selected participants will be contacted for more details.”

A deep purple rectangle highlights the date: 12.03.2025.

The bottom line says, “Spaces are limited; diversity of topics will guide selection. Let’s grow this event together!” and beneath that, in italics: “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.”

In the bottom corners are two logos - on the left, the Access SJ logo showing stylized people with accessibility symbols, and on the right, the SJAAC logo featuring a bridge design and inclusive figures.

11/11/2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a day that is celebrated by the United Nations every year on 3 December.

The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

The World Health Organization joins the UN in observing this day each year, reinforcing the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and reduce the barriers they face in all aspects of their lives.

This December 3rd, for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Saint John Ability Advisory Committees events subcommittee, Access SJ, is holding our first Human Library, supported by the City of Saint John, Saint John Free Public Library and Key Industries Inc.

What is a Human Library?

The Human Library is, in the true sense of the word, a library of people - where readers can borrow human beings who serve as open books, to have conversations they would not normally have access to.

Every human book represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, disability, social status, etc.

Human Libraries promote tolerance, celebrate differences and encourage understanding of people who come from varied lifestyles and backgrounds.

The Human Library creates a safe, respectful space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between our human books and their readers.

Below is short captioned video explaining the history of the Human Library Project.

The Human Library™ is an event in which real people are on loan to the public. Individuals volunteer as “Human Books,” and participants become “Readers” duri...

11/11/2025

Today, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and humanity of those who served - and those who never came home.

May we honour their legacy not just in silence, but in how we choose to build a more peaceful and compassionate world.

❤️ Lest we forget.

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Image Description:

A solemn Remembrance Day graphic with a black background.

On the left side, a vertical cluster of bright red poppies with green stems and leaves rises upward, symbolizing remembrance and sacrifice.

Centered in the middle of the image, in elegant white cursive script, are the words “lest we forget.”

At the top of the image, in white capital letters, it reads:
“SJAAC HONOURS ALL WHO SERVED.”

At the bottom right corner, also in white capital letters, it says: “REMEMBRANCE DAY NOVEMBER 11.”

The overall design is respectful and traditional, evoking reflection and gratitude for those who served.

11/07/2025

This Diabetes Awareness Month, we are supporting Breakthrough T1D Canada and their “Which 1 are you?” campaign, which celebrates the Power of 1 — the difference one person can make in the T1D community. 💙

We’re sharing the story of Natalie and her Diabetes Alert Dog Guide, Phoebe.
Natalie has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for 17 years and often struggles to feel her low blood sugar. Just over a year ago, she was matched with Phoebe, our Diabetes Alert Dog Guide, who alerts her to her lows. Natalie says her life has completely changed since then.

💬 Natalie shares:
“I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes three months after my younger sister. It was such a rare situation that the hospital team already knew about us. Even with a sibling who shares the same diagnosis, diabetes can feel isolating, especially because of misunderstandings about Type 1. Phoebe helps ease that loneliness. She draws people in, giving me chances to connect, answer questions, and educate others.
Phoebe makes the biggest difference when I’m out on my own. Being alone with low blood sugar can be scary, but knowing she understands what to do gives me safety and confidence. There was a time I wouldn’t go out alone, but with Phoebe by my side, that has completely changed.”

Natalie and Phoebe’s story shows how Diabetes Alert Dog Guides empower their handlers to live more confidently, safely, and independently every day.

The Power of 1 is in action every day. Are you the 1 who advocates, the 1 who donates/fundraises, the 1 who volunteers, the 1 who believes in cures, or the 1 who lives with T1D? For Natalie, her 1 is that she lives with T1D. 💙

Join us this month to raise awareness and celebrate the T1D community!

Image Description: A woman sits outside beside a black Labrador wearing a red Dog Guides vest. She smiles at the camera while holding the dog’s leash.

11/07/2025

Don't forget about Saint John's Accessible Transit bus - available to anyone with a mobility disability! Call (506) 648-0609 to book.

https://saintjohn.ca/en/transit/accessibility/saint-john-accessible-transit

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Image Description:

A bold reminder graphic with a black background. At the top, a red bell icon sits above the word "REMINDER" in large, red uppercase letters.

Below it is the Saint John Accessible Transit logo, featuring the words “TRANSIT ACCESSIBLE” in red and blue, “Saint John” in large blue and red serif font, and “ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT” beneath it in red and purple. A multicolored square graphic in red, yellow, green, and purple accompanies the logo on the left.

Underneath, white text reads:
"Saint John’s Accessible Transit Bus for people with mobility disabilities can be booked up to 3 weeks in advance by calling"

The phone number is prominently displayed in large, bold white text:
(506) 648 – 0609

At the bottom left of the image is the blue Facebook icon with the social media handle

In the bottom right corner is the SJAAC logo, which includes a bridge over stylized figures representing various disabilities and inclusion.

11/06/2025

https://www.gnb.ca/en/campaign/accessibility/strategic-plan.html

The first five-year Strategic Plan on Accessibility is available on this webpage in multiple formats. This plan outlines how the Government of New Brunswick will work with all sectors to identify, remove, and prevent barriers. The Strategic Plan document is available in html (below), accessible PDF,...