CAN-ASC-2.9: Accessible Childcare Centres – Notice of intent

Standards development organization

Accessibility Standards Canada

Contact information

Email: 

Info.Accessibility.Standards-Normes.Accessibilite.Info@canada.gc.ca

Mailing address:

320, St-Joseph Boulevard
Suite 246
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone:

1-833-854-7628

Work program

The work program lists all of Accessibility Standards Canada’s in-progress and completed standards. It is available on our site.

Designation number

CAN-ASC-2.9

Standard type

National Standard of Canada – Domestic 

Standard development activity

New standard

International Classification for Standards (ICS) codes

• 03.080 – Services
• 11.180 – Aids for disabled or handicapped persons 
• 13.100 – Occupational Safety. Industrial hygiene
• 13.120 – Domestic Safety
• 13.220 – Protection against fire
• 91.040 – Buildings
• 91.060 – Elements of Buildings
• 91.160 – Lighting
• 97.200 – Equipment for entertainment

Comment Period Start Date

2025-03-25

SDO Comment Period End Date:

2025-04-15

The purpose of standard CAN-ASC-2.9 is to ensure the technical requirements for childcare centres are equity-based. This requires going beyond minimum technical specifications.

The standard will establish accessibility criteria leading to the creation of accessible childcare centres across Canada. This does not include childcare centres offered in people’s homes. The accessibility criteria for this standard includes but is not limited to: 

• building site and external spaces, including parking and pathways and sidewalks building entrances and exits, such as automatic doors and door widths, accessible evacuation routes; 
• interior layout and navigation which includes maneuvering spaces, stairs, doors and doorways, bathrooms, kitchen and other interior spaces;
• acoustics;
• outdoor play areas and landscaping; and, 
• health and safety considerations.

This standard will align with relevant technical requirements of other Accessibility Standards Canada standards. These include:

• CAN-ASC-2.1 –Outdoor Spaces
• CAN-ASC-2.2 – Emergency Egress
• CAN-ASC-2.3 – Model Standard for the Built Environment – Accessibility for Federally Regulated Entities as Defined in the Accessible Canada Act
• CAN-ASC-2.4 – Wayfinding and Signage
• CAN-ASC-5.2.1 Part 1: Design and Delivery of Accessible Programs and Services: Accessible Service Delivery 
• CSA/ASC B651:23 – Accessible Design for the Built Environment

Project need

Accessibility Standards Canada was created under the Accessible Canada Act. Its mandate is to prevent, identify, and remove barriers to accessibility in Canada for people with disabilities. To do this, it develops standards. These are based on the needs of people with disabilities. These needs are identified by consulting Canadians with disabilities. This includes the members of the Accessibility Standards Canada Board of Directors. Most Board members are people with disabilities. The Board has approved the development of this standard.

The standards developed by Accessibility Standards Canada apply to federally regulated entities, including those in the private sector. These entities are defined in the Accessible Canada Act. We also work with provincial and territorial partners. We do this to identify the needs of other stakeholders and help harmonize standards across Canada. 

Accessibility Standards Canada standards are developed following the principle of “nothing without us.” This means that people with disabilities are involved in the development process:

• Its standards are developed using research that is led by people with disabilities or with lived experience.
• People with disabilities are members of the organization’s technical committees. These committees produce equity-based requirements for standards. These take into account the needs and perspectives of people with disabilities. 
• The public review process for this standard will be accessible. This will allow even more people with disabilities to be part of the development process.

Date posted

2025-03-19