Accessibility requirements for Information and Communication Technology Products and Services: Notice of intent
This notice of intent informs the public and other standards development organizations of our intention to develop or adopt a new standard. This is to avoid duplication in the development of accessibility standards. The notice also defines the scope of the standard that we propose, and the period of time during which we invite the public to send us their comments about this standard.
Standards development organization
Accessibility Standards Canada
Contact information
Info.Accessibility.Standards-Normes.Accessibilite.Info@canada.gc.ca
320 boulevard St-Joseph, Suite 246
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-833-854-7628
Work program
The work program includes a list of all the in-progress and completed standards at Accessibility Standards Canada. This document includes:
- the standards Accessibility Standards Canada is currently preparing
- the standards that Accessibility Standards Canada has published in the preceding period
- the classification relevant to the subject matter of the standard using the International Classification for Standards, "ICS" code(s)
- the development-stage code and start date, based on the ISO International harmonized stage codes
- the public review comment period start and end dates
- references to any international standards as a basis
Please refer to the document entitled "Work program – Accessibility Standards Canada"
Designation number
CAN-ASC-6.1
Standard type
National Standard of Canada – Adoption of International Standard
Standard development activity
New Standard
ICS codes
35.020 – ICS Code Information technology (IT) in general
33.020 - Telecommunications in general
03.100.10 - Purchasing. Procurement. Logistics
13.180 - Ergonomics
Comment period start date
2022-02-25
Comment period end date
2022-03-11
Scope
Technical Committee on Accessibility Requirements for Information and Communication Technology Products and Services will work towards the adoption in its entirety of the European harmonized standard “EN 301 549, Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services”. The European Harmonized standard has been supported by over 75 countries at various levels of jurisdiction. Various Canadian federal departments have done economic analysis on the implementation of the harmonized standard, and have been overwhelmingly in support of its adoption. Consultation with persons with disabilities and stakeholders have taken place and various pilot projects, including compliance tests and translation assistance have been implemented to ensure that the standard is appropriate for the Canadian market. The adoption of this standard represents a fundamental step in accessible Canadian procurement advancement.
Specifically, the EN 301 549’s scope is as follows:
“[This document] specifies the functional accessibility requirements applicable to ICT products and services, together with a description of the test procedures and evaluation methodology for each accessibility requirement in a form that is suitable for use in public procurement within Europe. [This document] might be useful for other purposes such as procurement in the public and private sector.”
Project need
This standard will contribute to Accessibility Standards Canada’s mandate to develop and revise accessibility standards. A standard on accessibility requirements for information and communication technology products and services will set out how federally regulated private sector organizations, the Government of Canada and federal agencies can:
- prevent;
- identify;
- remove barriers to accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.
Posted on
2022-02-25