Grand Bay-Westfield (new window) is a beautiful town situated along the Saint John River (new window) in New Brunswick (new window) with an active population of five thousand residents. The Town connected with the Neil Squire Society and hired a person with a disability through the Society’s Working Together Program. The new hire joined the engineering department in the spring of 2014.

In July 2014 Linda Thompson, Administrative Assistant to the Town Manager, approached the Neil Squire Society for support in applying for the Enabling Accessibility Fund (new window) to make their municipal building more accessible. The municipal building is the heart of the community where many events take place such as town council and committee meetings, elections, recreation programs, baby showers, and anniversary parties. Because the Town has an aging population, accessibility has become a priority in creating recreational opportunities that everyone can enjoy. The town recently created a new walking trail with a flat, smooth section, and the senior recreation programs are so popular they have a waiting list.

The Neil Squire Society was able to provide a letter of support to the Review Committee, and the Town was successful in obtaining the grant to have new accessible doors installed.