CAN-ASC-2.1 Outdoor spaces: Public Review Draft – Annex B (informative) Development of design principles

The following is excerpted from the Accessible Canada Act:

“The Act is to be carried out in recognition of, and in accordance with, the following principles:

1. all persons must be treated with dignity regardless of their disabilities;
2. all persons must have the same opportunity to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have regardless of their disabilities;
3. all persons must have barrier-free access to full and equal participation in society, regardless of their disabilities;
4. all persons must have meaningful options and be free to make their own choices, with support if they desire, regardless of their disabilities;
5. laws, policies, programs, services and structures must take into account the disabilities of persons, the different ways that persons interact with their environments and the multiple and intersecting forms of marginalization and discrimination faced by persons;
6. persons with disabilities must be involved in the development and design of laws, policies, programs, services and structures; and
7. the development and revision of accessibility standards and the making of regulations must be done with the objective of achieving the highest level of accessibility for persons with disabilities.”

Creating sensory-friendly outdoor spaces that support neurodiversity is an important consideration for inclusive design. If applicable, pre-visit materials may include social narratives, sensory maps of the site (indicating areas that can be loud, quiet, crowded, etc.), visual schedules (e.g., photos or symbol images that represent activities, locations, or times that could be arranged in a sequence so the user can better understand the schedule of the upcoming activity), and tip sheets offered in alternate formats.

Note: A social narrative is an evidence-based learning tool designed for neurodiversity that teaches someone how to do something new, like experiencing a new place or activity.

This Standard uses the internationally recognized principles of Universal Design, which are founded on the philosophy that accessibility is a fundamental condition of good design. Initially focused on disability rights, Universal Design has slowly expanded to concern itself with social justice for all. It is "a process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation" (Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments, Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012).

The seven principles of Universal Design are

1. equitable use — useful and marketable to people with disabilities;
2. flexibility in use — accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities;
3. simple and intuitive use — easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level;
4. perceptible information — communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities;
5. tolerance for error — minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions;
6. low physical effort — can be used efficiently and comfortably with minimal fatigue; and
7. size and space for approach and use — appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use.

Source: Principles of Universal Design (© 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design)