Businesses and organizations in New Brunswick will soon be able to get free reviews on how to make them more accessible to individuals who have a disability.

Accessible NB is a new program which will allow businesses to reach a new customer base, attract tourists or even hire someone who has a disability.

Statistics show New Brunswick has the second-highest rate of disability in Canada and only 38 percent of working-aged residents with a mobility disability are employed.

The provincial non-profit Ability NB officially launched the program on Friday in Fredericton and the federal government’s first Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux was in attendance.

“It’s encouraging to see accessibility reviews rolling out across New Brunswick,” Cadieux said.

“The Accessible Canada Act aims to achieve a barrier-free Canada by 2040. While the Act applies to the federal government and federally-regulated sectors, we know that in order to be truly barrier-free, change also needs to happen at all levels of government, throughout communities and the private sector. Kudos to Ability NB for leading the charge and offering this important program.”

“This new formalized program is a great example of public, private and community partnerships with significant potential for social and economic impact,” said Haley Flaro, Ability NB executive director.

Ability NB is an autonomous, community-based, non-profit organization which serves as the primary voice and service provider for New Brunswickers with a mobility disability.