CAN-ASC-2.1: Outdoor Spaces - 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 online at: Work program – Accessibility Standards Canada.

Designation number

CAN-ASC-2.1 

Standard type

National Standard of Canada – Domestic 

Standard development activity

New standard


International Classification for Standards (ICS) codes

  • 03.200 Leisure. Tourism
  • 11.180 Aid for disabled and handicapped persons
  • 91.020 Physical Planning. Town Planning. 
  • 91.040 Buildings 
  • 91.060 Elements of Buildings 
  • 91.120 Protection of and in buildings 
  • 91.140 Installation in buildings 
  • 91.190 Building accessories 
  • 97.220 Sports equipment and facilities     

Comment period start date

December 13, 2022

Comment period end date

January 10, 2023

The purpose of CAN-ASC-2.1 is to develop a standard that goes above mandatory minimum technical specifications and produces equity-based technical requirements.

There are common areas where persons with disabilities may face barriers related to outdoor spaces. For example:

  • recreational trails
  • beach access routes
  • outdoor public use eating areas
  • exterior paths of travel (for example, sidewalks and walkways)
  • accessible parking
  • obtaining services in outdoor spaces (for example, at service counters)

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 its Board of Directors. Most Board members are people with disabilities. The Board has approved the development of this standard. 

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

This notice of intent was posted to the Accessibility Standards Canada website on September 25, 2020.

Date Updated

February 3, 2023