CAN/ASC-2.8: Accessible-Ready Housing – Notice of intent
This notice is to announce that Accessibility Standards Canada intends to develop a new accessibility standard. The purpose of this notice is to avoid duplication in standards development.
This notice is aimed at other standards development organizations and the public. It does the following:
- It defines the scope of the standard that we propose.
- It defines the need for the project.
- It states the time period during which the public can send us comments about the standard.
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-2.8
Standard type
National Standard of Canada – Domestic
Standard development activity
New standard
International Classification for Standards (ICS) codes
- 91.010 Construction industry
- 91.040 Buildings
- 91.060 Elements of buildings
- 91.090 External structures
- 91.120 Protection of and in buildings
SDO Comment Period Start Date:
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
SDO Comment Period End Date:
Wednesday, June 18, 2024
Scope
The purpose of standard CAN/ASC-2.8 is to ensure the technical requirements for accessible-ready housing are equity-based. This requires going beyond minimum technical specifications.
Housing that is ready to be accessible is about designing homes that can adapt easily to an owner’s needs. Owners can select the accessibility-related features they need without having to choose all available features. This enables the current or future homeowner to easily make changes to the home to suit their current and future needs.
There are common areas in residential housing where people with disabilities may experience barriers. These areas include, but are not limited to:
- level entrances
- interior and exterior paths including ramps
- main floor washrooms
- kitchens
- laundry rooms
- stairs
- wider doors and doorways
- means of emergency egress (exit)
This standard will set out accessibility requirements related to the elements for accessible-ready housing, including but not limited to:
- level entrances
- interior and exterior paths including ramps
- main floor washrooms
- kitchens
- laundry rooms
- stairs
- wider doors and doorways
- means of emergency egress (exit)
This standard will enable architects, designers, and builders to design a house that is ready to be accessible. This allows homeowners to select those features that are most suited to their needs. This means that not all accessibility features would need to be included in the constructed home. However, because the house is ready for accessibility, current and future owners will be able to make changes to the home more easily and cost-effectively.
This standard will also align with the relevant technical requirements found in the following Accessibility Standards Canada standards:
- CAN-ASC-2.3: Model Standard for the Built Environment – Accessibility for Federally Regulated Entities as Defined in the Accessible Canada Act
- CAN-CSA/ASC B652:23: Accessible Dwellings
- CAN-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 and applies to federal government programs. 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
Wednesday, May 22, 2024