The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities Newfoundland and Labrador (COD NL)
Incorporated in 1983, COD NL is a provincial, cross-disability organization that educates and advises community stakeholders interested in advancing the status of persons with disabilities. The Coalition systemically advocates for an inclusive and equitable society for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living with disabilities.
What is disability?
Disability is the result of the interaction between persons with limitations, including physical/mobility, mental health, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, pain-related, and sensory limitations, whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature; and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Adaptive Technology Program
We recognized a systemic need for persons with disabilities in Newfoundland to have better access to adaptive technology. In 2022 the Coalition, through a funding grant from the Northpine Foundation, provided more than 200 pieces of adaptive technology for persons with disabilities in the province.
Media Awareness Campaign
The Northpine Foundation also enabled us to spearhead an extensive research and media awareness campaign that identified barriers and attitudes surrounding disability in the province from persons with disabilities and the general public. Our media campaign, featuring spokesperson Mary Walsh has launched! Visit breakingbarriersnl.ca for more information and to play the ads.
Social Enterprise
The Coalition offers Inclusive Customer Service Delivery training which demonstrates how to appropriately interact with, and provide service to, persons with disabilities from a cross-disability perspective. We also perform accessibility auditing of the built environment from a universal design perspective.
Systemic Advocacy
Education and Awareness are primary goals that we realize through participation in a variety of committees focused on accessibility, inclusion and disability on a local, provincial and federal level. We engage with consumers to assist with system navigation in addition to consulting with industry, schools, municipalities and more about the rights of persons with disabilities.
