Design and delivery of programs and services

CAN-ASC-5.1 Emergency Measures

Areas of focus

Areas where people with disabilities may face barriers in emergency measures include:

• emergency planning
• inclusivity (i.e. people with disabilities participating in all aspects of emergency measures)
• guidance (e.g. emergency preparedness guides for people with disabilities)
• training (i.e. training for emergency policy makers, responders, employers, etc.)
• communication (methods/technology)
• shelters
• services (i.e. service animals, assistive devices, etc.)
• medical Assistance (i.e. medical supplies, equipment and devices, ground medical evacuations, etc.)
• transportation
• evacuation

This standard is in development

Standard started on November 24, 2021

Public review expected in winter 2024

Publication expected in spring 2025

Technical committee members

Academic and research bodies

Paulette Langdon, MBA, OT Reg (NS), Case Manager, Occupational Therapist, Veterans Affairs Canada

Robert Dupuis (Chairperson), Architect, Robert Dupuis Architect

Business and industry

Ryan Tobiassen, Managing Director, HSE International 

Consumer and public interest

Alfiya Battalova, Researcher

Amy Ma, Member, Advisory Committee, CASCADES Canada

Gina Kennedy, University Secretary and Director, Office of the President, Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Laura Ballantyne

Randy Dickerson, Vice-President, John Wood Foundation

Roy Green, Quality and Standards professional (retired)

Sam Savona

Wade Watts, President, WAC-Watts Accessibility Consulting and WFSI-Wheelchair Friendly Solutions Incorporated

Government and authorities having jurisdiction 

Jean-Aubry Morin, Vice President, External Relations, The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

Marla Calder, Occupational Therapist, Stan Cassidy Centre For Rehabilitation

Linnie Tse, Barrier-Free Administrator, Government of Alberta

Howard Wax, Accessibility Advisor, City of Toronto Transit Commission

Non - governmental organizations

Shea-Lee Latchford (Vice chairperson), Chair, Clarington AAC

Rohini Peris, President & CEO, Environmental Health Association of Quebec

CAN-ASC-5.2 Design and Delivery of Accessible Programs and Services Including Customer Service

Areas of focus

Areas where people with disabilities may face barriers in the design and delivery of programs and services include:

• costs related to programs and services
• policies that do not take accessibility into account
• attitudinal barriers
• accessibility of information
• customer service
• accessibility of buildings and outdoor spaces
• communication with providers
• accessibility of technology and systems

This standard is in development

Standard expected to start in summer 2023

Public review expected in fall 2025

Publication expected in fall 2026

Technical committee members

To be established

CAN-ASC-5.3 Accessible Tourism

Areas of focus

Areas where people with disabilities may face barriers in tourism include:

• communication
• accessibility of information
• accessibility of buildings, facilities, outdoor spaces, and paths of travel
• travel accommodations
• delivery of services, such as tourism operations, travel agencies, and food and beverage services
• self-service machines, such as ticketing kiosks and dispensing devices

This standard is in development

Standard expected to start in summer 2023

Public review expected in fall 2025

Publication expected in fall 2026

Technical Committee Members

To be established

Accessibility Standards for Deaf and Deafblind Canadians

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Canadian Association of the Deaf

What is the goal of this study?

This study will focus on the barriers faced by people who are deaf or deafblind. The goal is to determine where changes can be made to existing standards. The purpose of these changes will be to improve access and remove barriers for people who are deaf and deafblind.

Why does this study matter?

The deafblind community faces unique challenges. This study will improve our understanding of these challenges. This is needed to support the development of standards that support the accessibility needs of people who are deaf or deafblind.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Research and Inform Standards for Next-Generation 911

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Neil Squire Society

What is the goal of this study?

This study will review emerging technologies that enable accessible communication. This will optimize the accessibility of Next-Generation 911 for people with disabilities.

Why does this study matter?

Next-Generation 911 needs to be accessible to people with all types of disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Guide Dog Access in Canada

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

What is the goal of this study?

This study will review the existing barriers faced by guide dogs and their handlers in accessing programs and services. The goal will be to present solutions to address these barriers.

Why does this study matter?

A clear understanding of the technical barriers to guide dog access in Canada is needed.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

First Nations Accessibility Standards: A Path Forward to Inclusion

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

What is the goal of this study?

This study will develop recommendations for removing and preventing barriers. It will look specifically at barriers in the built environment and in current programs and services for people with disabilities in First Nation communities.

Why does this study matter?

Accessibility standards need to consider the unique needs of First Nation communities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Communication Access within the Accessible Canada Act

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Ontario College of Art and Design University

What is the goal of this study?

People with various communication disabilities face barriers when accessing federal services. This study will gather information on these barriers. It will also gather information on accommodation requirements. The goal will be to use this data to inform future standard development.

Why does this study matter?

Federal services need to be accessible to people with communication disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Advancing Accessibility Standards through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society

What is the goal of this study?

This study will gather information on how accessibility standards are used in Nunavut. It will identify barriers faced by people with disabilities from an Indigenous perspective.

Why does this study matter?

A better understanding of Indigenous perspectives on disability and accessibility is needed. This will make future standards more relevant to Indigenous communities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Hearing their Voices: From Isolation to Self-Determination

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Mawita’mk Society

What is the goal of this study?

This study will gather information on accessibility and disability from an Indigenous perspective. It will identify barriers to accessibility and the needs of Indigenous people in First Nation communities in Nova Scotia.

Why does this study matter?

A better understanding of what is important to First Nation Peoples from an accessibility perspective is needed. This will make future standards more relevant to these communities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Accessible and Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Decision-Making

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

What is the goal of this study?

This study will develop best practices. The goal is to integrate accessibility considerations when making decisions related to artificial intelligence.

Why does this study matter?

Decisions are increasingly being made based on artificial intelligence. The impact of this on people with disabilities needs to be studied. This will ensure that everyone is treated equally.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Communication in Service Provision for the Deafblind Community

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

DeafBlind Community Services

What is the goal of this study?

The Deafblind community faces barriers to accessibility. This study will develop best practices for designing services that remove and prevent these barriers.

Why does this study matter?

A better understanding of the preferences of people who are deafblind is needed to provide accessible services.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Status Report: Accessibility of Child Care in Canada for Children with Disabilities Aged 0 to 5

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading this research?

Université de Laval

What is the goal of this study?

This study will look at the current accessibility-related gaps in childcare. It will develop best practices for the built environment and educational programming. The goal will be to make childcare more inclusive and accessible.

Why does this study matter?

All children should have equal access to childcare services. All children need to be able to participate in childcare programming.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.