CAN-ASC-2.1 Outdoor spaces: Public Review Draft – 4. Definitions

The following definitions shall apply in this Standard:

Accessibility —

ensures, to persons with disabilities, access on an equal basis with others to the physical environment, transportation, information and communications (including information and communications technologies and systems), and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public.

Source: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Article 9 – Accessibility.

Accessible journey —

all the steps needed for a person to plan for and use an outdoor space.

Accessible route —

a pedestrian path of travel within the interior or exterior environment that is without barriers, as defined in this Standard, and usable by all persons, including those with physical, sensory, communication, or cognitive disabilities.

Source: CSA/ASC B651.

Auditory —

relating to what can be understood or read through hearing.

Barrier —

anything (including anything physical, architectural, technological, or attitudinal; anything that is based on information or communications; or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice) that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.

Source: Accessible Canada Act.

Clear width —

the width of the usable surface of a path of travel, measured perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Cross slope —

the slope perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Crosswalk —

a pedestrian route within a vehicular route.

Curb ramp —

a sloped surface that allows people to move safely and efficiently between vehicular and pedestrian routes.

Disability —

any impairment (including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment) or a functional limitation, whether permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature — or evident or not — that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.

Source: Accessible Canada Act.

Equipment —

any non-permanent assistive device that enables barrier-free participation in activities that take place outdoors.

Notes: 

1. See Annex A for more information on and examples of types of equipment.
2. This excludes furniture and lifting devices mentioned in this Standard, as well as vehicles and other modes of transportation such as, but not limited to, gondolas, ski lifts, trolleys, and golf carts.

Furniture —

items, either movable or fixed, that support various activities (e.g., eating, sleeping, storing, and sitting) and facilitate use of the outdoor space.

Path —

a utilitarian access route linking together the different elements of a site.

Person-first language —

language and expressions that emphasize the individual first rather than the disability.

Pictogram —

a pictorial symbol or image that represents activities, facilities, spaces, or concepts.

Ramp —

a sloped surface that elevates the path of travel above the surrounding terrain.

Running slope —

the slope of the surface in the direction of travel.

Slope —

the ratio of rise to run on an inclined surface.

Tactile —

relating to what can be understood or read through touch.

Tactile attention indicator surface —

a surface comprising of truncated domes that signals a need for caution at a change in elevation, a vehicular route, train tracks, or other potential hazard.

Trail —

a recreational route offering a variety of user experiences to a variety of destination points.

Transition —

as related to road curbs, a change in slope that allows for access to surfaces with varying levels of height.

Universal design —

the design of products, environments, programs, and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. “Universal design” does not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.

Source: CRPD Article 2.

Visual —

relating to what can be understood or read through sight.

Wayfinding —

the process of choosing a path to a destination while providing an experience that is safe, accessible, and enjoyable.