Summary and Feedback Form - CAN-ASC-2.1 Standard on outdoor spaces: Public Review Draft

Summary of the draft standard

The Standard on outdoor spaces envisions accessible, barrier-free, and inclusive outdoor spaces. To achieve this vision, this Standard shows value in the principle of universal accessibility that ensures no one is left behind. It contains technical requirements to be applied to the design of all newly constructed or redeveloped outdoor spaces, facilities, and areas undergoing major renovation. 

Like all of Accessibility Standards Canada’s standards, this Standard is designed to contribute to the realization of a Canada without barriers by 2040. It supports the goals of the Accessible Canada Act and Accessibility Standards Canada's mandate and is based on the disability community’s philosophy of “Nothing without us.” 

This is the first version of the standard, which was developed by the Technical Committee on outdoor spaces, under the authority of Accessibility Standards Canada management that includes experts with disabilities. This Standard is intended to align with other relevant standards such as CSA/ASC B651 Accessible design for the built environment, CSA Z614 Children’s playground equipment and surfacing, and applicable standards of Accessibility Standards Canada.

The requirements within this Standard are contained within a framework of design principles that facilitates accessibility and inclusion in outdoor spaces. The five design principles that make up this framework of are:

  • context,
  • identity,
  • user experience,
  • movement, and
  • lifespan.

Key requirements are described in groups that stem from the design principle framework, and include: 

  1. Site planning: these requirements come out of a complete, macro-planning perspective whereby all site elements contribute to the overall accessible journey experience of people of all ages and abilities (includes signage).
  2. Common measures: these requirements define common measures for outdoor space components such as clear space, ramps, reach range, knee/toe clearance, doorways, controls, seating, stairs, sightlines, and outdoor surfaces. 
  3. Facilities and furniture (fixed): these requirements are specific to parking, outdoor play areas, amenities, assembly areas, water environments, campgrounds, service animal areas, outdoor showers, outdoor toilets, passenger lift systems, and power charging stations.
  4. Outdoor surfaces: the outdoor surface requirements describe trail and route specifications, permanent and temporary surfaces, water access surfaces, and other surfaces (i.e., that provide access to outdoor fire pits, cooking facilities, or hot ovens).
  5. Wayfinding: the wayfinding requirements highlight specifications needed for a user to navigate through an outdoor space, starting with the planning of a trip, their arrival at the outdoor space, and continuing through as they experience the rest of their accessible journey. Wayfinding includes requirements for tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs).
  6. Maintenance: the overarching maintenance requirement is for all outdoor facilities, features, surfaces, and environments to have a publicly available maintenance plan. This maintenance plan is required to provide timelines for responding to weather issues such as the clearing of ice/snow/water from surfaces.
  7. Equipment: the standard has a detailed informative annex on equipment used to access outdoor activities. This annex groups the equipment by activity type or location, including:
    • campgrounds,
    • water environments,
    • winter activities,
    • trails,
    • toilet and shower facilities,
    • rest areas, and
    • equestrian activities.

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Where can I access the draft standard?

You can read or download the draft standard on Accessibility Standard Canada’s website.

If you require an alternate format to participate in this public review, contact us.

What are we asking?

We are asking for suggestions on the standard. Suggestions can be:

  1. Editorial such as spelling, grammar, formatting and accessibility
  2. Technical such as dimensions or application of the standard
  3. General comments on the overall standard or a section such as things that are missing.

For each suggestion, you need to include five things: four are required and one is optional:

  1. The section number (required)
  2. What we should change (required)
  3. What we should change it to (required)
  4. Why you think we should change it (required)
  5. Any related files you want to share 

Who can help?

Anyone can make suggestions on the standard and we are especially interested in input from individuals with lived experience of disability, stakeholders, government organizations and anyone who would use or benefit from this standard.

How to prepare your suggestions for the suggestion form

  1. Choose a way to keep track of your ideas for suggestions that happen as you read the standard (paper and pen, computer, recording, etc.).
  2. Access the standard and read it.
  3. If you find something that you think should be changed, then keep track of the section number (e.g., 7.2.6.4.1) because you will need it when you fill out the form. 
  4. For each suggestion you want to submit, also include: 
    1. what you think should be in the standard instead and 
    2. why you think that. 
  5. Decide if you will use the online form or the downloadable suggestion form to share your suggestions (this is described in the How to submit your suggestions section). You can add audio, video and other files in either form.

When can suggestions be sent in?

How to submit your suggestions

Please note that each file that is included on the online suggestion form must be less than 1 GB.

Please use the online suggestion form below to submit your suggestions on the CAN-ASC-2.1 Standard on outdoor spaces: Public Review Draft. For alternate formats, please contact us.

You can also download a fillable PDF form and submit your suggestions and any related files by email.

Note

If the PDF does not download automatically, please click or press the download button located at the top of your screen while the PDF is open. The download button should look like an arrow pointing down (see example below, circled in yellow) or a floppy disk/diskette:

Three icons are shown on a black background. To the left, the first icon is an arrow pointing down, placed above a horizontal line. In the middle is the icon of a printer, and to the right, three white dots. The first icon shown is the download button. It is circled in yellow.

Note

The online form below is designed to be finished in one sitting, it cannot be saved and completed in another sitting. We recommend submitting the form with completed suggestions at the end of each sitting and starting a new form at your next sitting.

About the form

  • Up to ten suggestions can be made on each suggestion form.
  • You can submit as many forms as you like.
  • If you have suggestions for a lot of sections of the standard, the downloadable suggestion form may be a more convenient option.

Do you need more information or help?

If you need any assistance with this review process, please contact us by email.

Personal information collection statement   

We collect your name, postal code and contact information for two reasons:

  1. To understand how the draft standard may need to be changed to better meet the needs of people in different parts of Canada. 
  2. In some cases, we will use this information to contact you to learn more about your suggestion. This will only happen if you agree to let us contact you.

The authority to collect information contained on this form for the purposes described above is provided under the authority of the Accessible Canada Act. Your personal information will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act. The Privacy Act and other laws protect your personal information. You have the right to access and correct this information. 

Your right to privacy and control of your information

We follow rules about the information we can collect from you and save. The personal information that can be collected is described in the “Outreach Activities PSU 938” Personal Information Bank. 

You can find instructions on how to learn about personal information saved about you at: Treasury Board of Canada “Information about programs and information holdings”.

The personal information that you provide is protected under Canada’s Privacy Act. Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to access your personal information and request changes to information that is incorrect.

You have the right to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding the institutions’ handling of your personal information at: Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Public Review Online Suggestion Form

Following is the online suggestion form. If you prefer to send your suggestions by email, use this fillable PDF form.

Note

If the PDF does not download automatically, please click or press the download button located at the top of your screen while the PDF is open. The download button should look like an arrow pointing down (see example below, circled in yellow) or a floppy disk/diskette:

Three icons are shown on a black background. To the left, the first icon is an arrow pointing down, placed above a horizontal line. In the middle is the icon of a printer, and to the right, three white dots. The first icon shown is the download button. It is circled in yellow.

Personal information

4) Who are you representing in this response?
6) Which of the following best describes your organization (choose all that apply):
7) If applicable, what sector does your organization represent? (choose all that apply):
9) Which of the following describe you (select all that apply):
10) May we contact you about your suggestions? We will contact you by email and then by the method you prefer.
11) Suggestions can be submitted as an audio or video file instead of using text or a combination of text and files. What format will you use for your suggestions?

Suggestion 1

13) Suggestion 1: What kind of suggestion are you making?
19) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 2

21) Suggestion 2: What kind of suggestion are you making?
27) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 3

29) Suggestion 3: What kind of suggestion are you making?
35) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 4

37) Suggestion 4: What kind of suggestion are you making?
43) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 5

45) Suggestion 5: What kind of suggestion are you making?
52) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 6

54) Suggestion 6: What kind of suggestion are you making?
60) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 7

62) Suggestion 7: What kind of suggestion are you making?
68) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 8

70) Suggestion 8: What kind of suggestion are you making?
76) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 9

78) Suggestion 9: What kind of suggestion are you making?
84) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 10

86) Suggestion 10: What kind of suggestion are you making?

Suggestion 1

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
14) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 2

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
17) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 3

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
20) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 4

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
23) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 5

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
26) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 6

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
29) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 7

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
32) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 8

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
35) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 9

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
38) Your work is not being saved. You must submit the form to save your work. Would you like to add another suggestion without saving your work?

Suggestion 10

For each suggestion that you submit as a file, please include:

  • Section number from the standard
  • What we should change
  • What we should change it to
  • Why you think we should change it
  • Information about other files you are including to support your suggestion.
     
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