Accessibility Standards Canada: 2022 to 2023 Departmental Plan - Gender-based analysis plus

Definition of gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus)

A process used to identify the impacts of policies, programs and services on different groups of:

• women;
• men; and
• gender-diverse people.

The "plus" considers many factors, such as race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

A 9-member Board of Directors oversees Accessibility Standards Canada. The Accessible Canada Act requires the government to consider diversity when appointing Directors. This includes having Directors:

• who are persons with disabilities;
• that reflect the diversity of Canadian society; and
• that reflect the diversity of disabilities faced by Canadians.

Directors are mostly persons with disabilities. They represent a variety of disabilities. There is gender equality on the Board. The Board is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction. It will help to make sure that GBA plus is included in departmental decision-making.

The organization was established in July 2019. It is a small departmental corporation. It has 56 planned full-time equivalents (employees) in 2022 to 2023.

Employees are eager to start working in Accessible Standards Canada’s new accessible office. The office is model for accessibility in the workplace. Many staff members have disabilities and it is important for them to have the supports they need when we return to in-person work.

The organization as a whole will collectively share responsibility to take GBA plus into consideration.

Highlights of GBA Plus Results Reporting Capacity by Program

Program: Standards Development

This program supports the following pillars and goals in the Gender Results Framework:

• Leadership and democratic participation – Gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision-making;
• Economic participation and prosperity – Equal and full participation in the economy; and
• Poverty reduction, health and well-being – Reduced poverty and improved health outcomes.

Leadership and Democratic Participation

Technical Committees

Women, visible minorities, youth, Indigenous people, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, and seniors may experience disability differently because of other aspects of their identity. That is why we encourage people from diverse communities to apply to our standards development technical committees. The selection process makes certain that there is balance between members, while ensuring the correct level of expertise is there, to complete the work of the technical committees.

Our technical committees are made up of:

• persons with disabilities;
• representatives from organizations of and for persons with disabilities;
• representatives from industries that would have to follow standards if they were made into regulations; and
• other experts.

GBA Plus means that as we develop standards, policies, and programs the aspect of diversity and gender equality is taken into consideration in order not to create inequity between different groups. To help Accessibility Standards Canada reach this goal, we make sure that committees reflect diversity and gender equality to inform our work. This will help to include GBA plus considerations in the standards development process. This goal means promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities as well as:

• women;
• Indigenous persons; and
• visible minorities.

The program will collect data on this GBA plus goal for future reporting.

Advancing Accessibility Standards Research

As part of the submission for funding request, applicants have to explain how the plan to engage in their projects participants representing Canada’s diversity.

The program will collect data on this GBA plus goal for future reporting.

The GBA plus goal is to make sure that research reflects diversity. We remain committed to producing inclusive outcomes for Canadians through our research funding program. This will help to include GBA plus considerations in:

• standards development; and
• removing accessibility barriers.

The program will report on all research projects.

Economic Participation and Prosperity / Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being

Standards Development

Standards development will have a direct impact on Canadians, particularly:

• persons with disabilities; and
• persons experiencing intersecting identity factors.

Accessibility Standards Canada has yet to issue its first standards and as such does not currently measure GBA plus impacts of the program on stakeholders (individuals).

Program: Outreach and Knowledge Program

This program supports the following pillar and goal in the Gender Results Framework:

• Leadership and democratic participation – Gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision-making.

Leadership and Democratic Participation

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy

Accessibility Standards Canada plans to engage Indigenous peoples and governments. This includes meeting with national Indigenous organizations. This also includes outreach to these organizations and Indigenous disability groups to promote:

• the inclusion of Indigenous persons on technical committees; and
• research funding for Indigenous-led projects.

These activities support the GBA plus goals noted above under the standards development program.

The organization also plans to engage youth. The GBA plus goal is to create an opportunity for youth with disabilities to:

• come together to share their thoughts; and
• inform our work.

The program will report on the outcomes of the youth accessibility forum.