Design and delivery of programs and services
What this priority area is about
Programs and services provide access to benefits that support many parts of daily life. They may be delivered in person, by phone, online, or in other ways.
Under the Accessible Canada Act, this priority area focuses on making programs and services accessible. This means designing them so they can be used by everyone in an inclusive and barrier-free way.
Why it matters
Accessible programs and services help people navigate processes, understand information, and get the support they need.
Including accessibility from the start ensures everyone can benefit from programs and services equitably. It means using clear communication, inclusive design, and flexible ways to provide programs and services.
Key work in this area
Explore our databases to find expert-developed resources to help you design programs and services with inclusion in mind. These databases connect you with standards, technical guides and evidence-based insights to guide your work.
Standards and technical guides: Practical documents to help you apply accessibility from day one
| Title | Document type | Status | Date posted | Publication date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Delivery of Accessible Programs and Services, Including Customer Services | Technical guide | Published | July 2025 | July 2025 |
| CAN-ASC-5.2 – Accessible Design and Delivery of Programs and Services | Draft standard | Draft | Expected fall 2027 | Expected winter 2029 |
| CAN-ASC-5.3 – Accessible Tourism | Draft standard | Draft | Expected summer 2027 | Expected fall 2028 |
| CAN-ASC-5.2.1: Part 1: Design and Delivery of Accessible Programs and Services: Accessible Service Delivery – Accessibility for federally regulated entities as defined by the Accessible Canada Act | Draft standard | Draft | February 2025 | Expected winter 2026 |
| CAN-ASC-5.4 – Accessible Justice: Federal Courts and Tribunals | Draft standard | Draft | To be determined | To be determined |
| CAN-ASC-5.5 – Accessible Justice: Federal Programs | Draft standard | Draft | To be determined | To be determined |