Ministerial Transition Binder (May 2025)

A micro-organization with a big impact

ASC is the only organization in the world with a legislative mandate solely dedicated to creating accessibility standards—grounded in innovative research and led by persons with disabilities.

The standards ASC develops are helping advance impactful initiatives across the Government of Canada, such as:

• the Housing Design Catalogue;
• the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities;
• the Accessible Canada Regulations for Digital Accessibility;
• the renovation of the Centre Block Project;
• the Directive on the Management of Real Property; and,
• Statistics Canada’s Accessibility Statistics Hub.

The standards published and under development by ASC will also contribute significantly to other key government priorities, such as childcare, artificial intelligence (AI), and creating as strong Canadian economy. This is being achieved through the efforts of a small yet highly effective team, working with strategically allocated resources.

An inclusive approach that is everyone’s responsibility

Accessibility benefits every Canadian — whether today or at some point in their life. That’s why the development of robust, inclusive accessibility standards is not just important, but essential to building a Canada that supports everyone. When Canadians have access to what they need to be successful, they can meaningfully contribute to their own well-being and to the economic vitality and growth of their communities.

Our standards impact:

• the 27% of Canadians—more than 8 million people—who identify as living with a disability;
• the 42% of seniors who experience four or more co-occurring disabilities; and,
• and the 64% of Canadian families who care for a family member with a disability.

Moreover, as Canada’s population ages, the need for strong accessibility standards becomes increasingly critical. Seniors often face age-related disabilities, such as reduced mobility, vision or hearing impairment, leading to significant barriers in navigating public spaces, accessing essential services, and maintaining their independence. Accessible design in infrastructure, transportation, housing, and digital services empowers seniors to engage fully in their communities with dignity and autonomy. By developing inclusive standards, Canada is better equipped to meet the diverse needs of its growing senior population.

Accordingly, ASC is actively working to build a society where everyone—regardless of age, ability, or circumstance—can participate fully. This includes families, caregivers, employers, and communities that are positively impacted by accessible design and inclusive thinking. Accessibility benefits everyone and is everyone’s responsibility. 

A mandate to advance a barrier-free Canada

ASC was established as a departmental corporation in 2019 under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). A Board of directors, led by a majority of persons with disabilities, sets its strategic direction. ASC’s mandate is to contribute to the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers for people with disabilities through:

• the development of accessibility standards and recommending these standards to the Minister for regulatory adoption;
• the promotion, support, and conducting of research into the identification, removal, and prevention of new barriers; and,
• the dissemination of information, including best practices, to help identify, remove, and prevent barriers.

ASC supports the development and implementation of standards and research across all priority areas of the ACA by integrating accessibility into the core of federal programs, initiatives, and emerging technologies. This approach will help build a resilient, inclusive and accessible Canada for all.

A place where persons with disabilities come to work for all Canadians

ASC embodies the principle of “nothing without us”, where:

• 60% of individuals who lead and participate in our research identify as persons with disabilities;
• 58% of the technical experts who develop our standards identify as persons with disabilities;
• 50% of executives identify as persons with disabilities;
• 26% of employees identify as persons with disabilities; and,
• the majority of the Board of Directors identify as persons with disabilities.

ASC is contributing to a fully inclusive, barrier-free Canada by 2040—where the benefits of innovation and accessibility stimulate national growth and progress. Grounded in equity and led by persons with disabilities, ASC champions a future where every Canadian, regardless of ability, can fully and meaningfully contribute to society and the economy.

A globally recognized and trusted centre of expertise

In a short period of time, ASC has emerged as a global leader in accessibility standards and cutting-edge inclusive research—driven by the leadership and full participation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of its work.

To date, ASC has funded over 90 research projects supporting standards development in all seven ACA priority areas. These projects: 

• involve over 30,000 individuals, partners and contributors, and provide employment and research opportunities for persons with disabilities in communities across Canada;
• generate over 500 presentations and more than 1,000 publications focusing on accessibility best practices from Canada and the world; and,
• support changing the culture and processes of national and international standards development organizations to be more inclusive and accessible.

Every standard and research project is available for free and in accessible formats on ASC’s centre of expertise.

A unified approach strengthening collaboration nationally and internationally

ASC is working with Provinces and Territories (PTs) to promote consistency, drive innovation, and ensure that all Canadians experience the same high level of accessibility and inclusion--no matter where they live.

ASC is also establishing collaborative arrangements with international organizations and is helping Canada contribute to its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). For example, ASC standards support:

• 24 of the Convention’s 26 (92%) UNCRPD articles that directly impact people with disabilities; and,
• 14 of the 17 (82%) UNSDGs.

This approach supports Canada’s global commitments, positions the country as a leader on the world stage and reflects a modern, future-focused vision—one that is accessible, interconnected, and inclusive for all.

Infographic 1: ASC at glance

A micro-organization with a big impact where persons with disabilities work for all Canadians

ASC envisions a fully inclusive, barrier-free Canada by 2040—where innovation and progress in accessibility are seen and felt across the nation.

Grounded in equity and led by persons with disabilities, ASC champions a future where every Canadian, regardless of ability, can contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. ASC drives the development and supports the adoption of inclusive standards across all priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), embedding accessibility into the core of federal programs, policy design, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Through this work, ASC promotes a unified national approach that strengthens interprovincial cooperation, facilitates the free movement of people, and ultimately, supports inclusive economic growth and national cohesion.

Our vision is rooted in innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. ASC advances cutting-edge, inclusive research, and works alongside provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, and private sector leaders to eliminate barriers, share best practices, and promote consistency in accessibility across jurisdictions. This collaborative approach supports Canada’s global commitments and reflects a modern, future-focused vision of a nation that is accessible, interconnected, and beneficial to all.

As a globally recognized and trusted centre of expertise, ASC plays a key role in shaping a more accessible and prosperous Canada. Our work strengthens our national resilience and helps build a more unified, barrier-free future for all.

What sets ASC apart? We may be a small organization, but our impact is significant and driven by the leadership, contributions, and lived experience of persons with disabilities who are at the forefront of meaningful change for every Canadian.

Advancing a barrier-free Canada by 2040

ASC was established as a departmental corporation in 2019 under the ACA. Its mandate is to contribute to the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers for people with disabilities to achieve a barrier-free Canada by 2040.

ASC carries out its responsibilities under the ACA and advances its mandate by: 

• developing accessibility standards and recommending these standards to the Minister for regulatory adoption;
• promoting, supporting, and conducting research into the identification, removal, and prevention of new barriers; and,
• disseminating information, including best practices, to help identify, remove, and prevent barriers.

“Nothing Without Us” in action

ASC is the only organization in the world with a legislative mandate dedicated to creating accessibility standards and led by people with disabilities. Its strategic direction is set by a Board of directors composed of a majority of persons with disabilities sets.

“Nothing Without Us” is the principle that drives ASC’s work. It means that the knowledge and expertise of people with disabilities is valued and paramount. ASC is a place where people with disabilities come to work, contribute, and drive meaningful change for all Canadians.

Leadership by persons with disabilities and people identifying as part of equity-deserving groups is embedded across all aspects of our work—ensuring our efforts to build a barrier-free Canada by 2040 are credible, grounded in lived experience, and truly representative.

Led by people with disabilities

ASC is led by a CEO and a Board of Directors, the majority of whom identify as people with disabilities. ASC has a skilled, diverse, and representative workforce that includes:

• an executive team with 50% identifying as a person with a disability and 100% identifying as members of equity-deserving groups;
• 61 employees, with 26% identify as a person with a disability and 81% identifying as members of equity-deserving groups.

Infographic 2: Nothing without us

Accessibility benefits everyone and is everyone’s responsibility

In advancing its mandate, ASC recognizes that accessibility benefits everyone. This idea drives our core activities to remove barriers and promote inclusion in every aspect of Canadian life. Barriers are universal—whether experienced personally or through the people we care about—and they impact all Canadians at some point. That’s why developing inclusive, forward-thinking accessibility standards is vital to shaping a Canada where everyone can participate equally, contribute to economic growth and drive innovation.

These initiatives support:

• over 8 million Canadians—27% of the population–who self-identify as having a disability;
• the 42% of seniors with disabilities, many of whom manage multiple, overlapping disabilities; and,
• the 64% of families across the country who provide care for a loved one with a disability—families that depend on inclusive infrastructure, accessible employment opportunities, and equitable public services.

Moreover, barriers to accessibility exist in nearly every aspect of daily life—from accessing essential services to securing meaningful employment and stable housing. These barriers are especially pronounced for Canadians with disabilities and reflect broader societal challenges that Canada continues to face. For example:

• labour-force participation is significantly lower for people with disabilities. An estimated 741,000 Canadians with disabilities have the potential to work but are not currently employed;
• persons with disabilities are also four times more likely to experience homelessness, have twice the unemployment rate and are disproportionately represented among renters facing housing insecurity; and,
• persons with disabilities represented 27% of the population yet accounted for 42% of renters in core housing need.

Importantly, barriers to accessibility affect more than just people with permanent disabilities. At some point, every Canadian will encounter accessibility barriers—whether:

• temporarily, such as while recovering from an injury or navigating public spaces with a stroller);
• permanently, due to long-term or lifelong disabilities;
• as a result of age-related changes, including reduced vision, hearing, or mobility; or,
• indirectly, by supporting a family member, colleague, or friend with a disability.

Accessibility drives economic growth and innovation

While barriers exist, there is growing recognition of the transformative potential of accessibility. Considering that accessibility benefits everyone--not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s also economically and socially beneficial for Canada. For example:

• a study by the Institute for Work and Health suggests that a fully inclusive society could contribute up to $300 billion in additional GDP to Canada’s economy; and,
• a 2019 TD Economics report found that even modest progress in employment for Canadians with disabilities could increase Canada’s real Gross domestic product (GDP) by approximately $50 billion and create up to 450,000 new jobs.

Through its leadership in standards development and research, ASC is helping Canada meet these challenges head-on by delivering practical, technical solutions that:

• enable the creation of modern, accessible infrastructure across Canada;
• promote meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities; and,
• support accessible housing solutions to reduce homelessness and improve housing security.

It is for these reasons that ASC is committed to pushing the boundaries of accessibility. By developing and promoting innovative, inclusive standards that remove barriers, ASC’s work benefits not only people with disabilities, but every Canadian—now and into the future through innovation and economic growth.

Infographic 3: Accessibility benefits everyone

ASC is actively supporting Canada’s commitment to uphold and promote the human rights of persons with disabilities, in alignment with its status as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Through its standards, ASC provides clear, actionable requirements that also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance the UN 2030 Agenda.

This work not only champions the rights of persons with disabilities within Canada but also plays a crucial role in helping the country fulfill its obligations under the CRPD and the UN 2030 Agenda.

The CRPD: advancing the rights of Canadians with disabilities

ASC has contributed to the implementation of the CRPD by:

• supporting the Canadian delegation at the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP) since 2024;
• serving as a key contributor to the reporting process on questions related to Canada’s implementation of the CRPD at the United Nations committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2025; and,
• developing and publishing standards that currently align with and support 25 of the 26 CRPD articles focused on the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities (articles 5 through 30 of the CRPD). This includes:
  • Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services standard, which contributes to 22 articles;
  • Employment standard, which contributes to 11 articles; and,
  • Accessible Service Delivery draft standard, which contributes to 21 articles.

UN SDG’s: contributing to the 2030 Agenda

ASC standards play a key role in advancing the Government of Canada’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ASC’s standards support national and global efforts to a more inclusive, sustainable and equitable society—benefiting Canadians and communities around the world.

All ASC standards published and under development:

• contribute to at least 1 SDG; and,
• combined, contribute to 14 of the 17 SDGs with several standards contributing to multiple goals. Key examples include:
  • Accessible Design and Delivery of Programs and Services, supporting 12 goals;
  • Model Standard for the Built Environment, supporting 9 goals; and,
  • Existing Built Environment, supporting 9 goals.

Infographic 7: ASC’s contribution to CRPD and SDGs

ASC is led by a Board of Directors. The Board sets the strategic direction for ASC’s activities. The majority of Directors are people with disabilities and reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Operationally, ASC is structured across 3 core branches:

• Standards and Research
• Communications and Outreach
• Corporate Services

Each branch plays a key role in delivering ASC’s mandate.

Infographic 9: Organizational Structure

Chief Executive Officer

Dino Zuppa

Zuppa, Accessibility Standards Canada’s CEO, also oversees the development of equity-based accessibility standards supported by pioneering research funded by Accessibility Standards Canada’s grants and contributions program.

Dino’s career spans more than 25 years. He led a number of strategic initiatives at all orders of government in Canada, and at an American University. 

Dino holds a Ph.D. and lives in Ottawa with his wife and two kids.

Board of Directors

Chairperson: J. Paul Walsh

Since January 2021, J. Paul Walsh has been the Chief Executive Officer at the Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador. He is responsible for the overall direction of the organization and oversight of its daily operations. Previously, Mr. Walsh worked in the private industry in the banking and utility sector for 35 years. During that time, he was also a course instructor at the Faculty of Business Administration, Memorial University. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Over the years, Mr. Walsh has done various community and volunteer work on boards, committees, and councils. These include the St. John’s Transportation Commission, the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities-Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

He is a mentor, coach, and leader with a strong track record of developing emerging professionals. Mr. Walsh was the recipient of EmpowerNL’s 2020 Cecilia Carroll Award for Independent Living in recognition of his personal commitment exceeding 20 years to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. He was also a finalist for the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Award. 

Vice-Chairperson: Matthew Shaw

Matthew Shaw was born with a deafblind condition. He is dedicated to helping governments, industries, private companies, and non-profit organizations. He focuses on removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in economic and social life.

Mr. Shaw is the Head, Accessibility Practice for the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since 2022, he has provided technical expertise to help accessibility professionals and the design and construction industries adopt the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™.

Mr. Shaw is also an entrepreneur and consultant. In 2020, he founded Disability Solutions, an accessibility practice. This organization helps others understand their accessibility responsibilities. It also helps them grow their market share and improve products and services by considering the needs of people with disabilities.

He has also worked with many charities and non-profit organizations through Shaw Philanthropy Partners. This philanthropic consulting practice provided strategic counsel to help organizations grow revenue to support their missions.

Before joining the Board of Directors, Mr. Shaw served as a member of the technical committee responsible for accessibility in the built environment at Accessibility Standards Canada.
He also serves on various committees and boards, and is the Vice Chair of Canadian Blind Hockey, the fastest growing parasport in Canada.

Director: William Adair

William Adair is the Executive Director of Spinal Cord Injury Canada, a charity that helps people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to be able to do more on their own and be fully part of their community.

Mr. Adair has a lot of experience in the areas of healthcare and disability. He was one of the members who started the Canadian Disability Policy Alliance, the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, and Candlelighters Canada. He has also helped the Government of Canada through the Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance, the Working Group on Alternate Format Materials and the Parliamentary Precinct Advisory Panel.

Mr. Adair has a Bachelor of Science (University of Minnesota). He did the Executive Leadership Course on the Management of Non-Profit Organizations (Harvard University). He received Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2016, which is an award for great Canadians who have done wonderful things that bring honour to our country.

Director: Lucille Linda Berlinguette-Saumure

Lucille Berlinguette-Saumure is an accessibility professional with 20 years of experience in accessibility planning, policy development, training and problem solving in the built environment, communications, transportation, customer service and programs. With a background in social work, she devoted more than 33 years of service to the City of Ottawa, serving equity deserving groups and vulnerable residents. From 2008 to 2024, she worked as a program manager and specialist of accessibility. 
In her role, she provided leadership, expertise and guidance to the city in matters of accessibility. She also led the city in the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Mrs. Berlinguette-Saumure is an advisory council member and chair of the Policy Community of Practice of the Canadian Accessibility Network. She is also a member of Ontario’s Customer Service Standards Review Committee.

From 2023 to 2024, Ms. Berlinguette-Saumure chaired the technical committee responsible for Design and Delivery of Accessible Programs and Services including customer service. This committee’s role is to assist Accessibility Standards Canada in creating the first Canadian Accessible Service Delivery standard.

Mrs. Berlinguette-Saumure is a bilingual Métis woman who has lived experience with episodic non-visible disabilities, including hearing impairments, mental health conditions, and environmental sensitivities. She believes that accessibility benefits everyone and that including persons with disabilities is essential for creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

Director: Wissam Constantin

Wissam Constantin is a well-known leader in the Deaf community since moving to Canada in 2017. Mr. Constantin is a Community and Events Manager at Canadian Administrator of Video Relay Services (CAV) since 2022. Mr. Constantin shares his true passion as a Deaf advocate for a better quality of life in the Deaf community, especially those who use sign language as the primary language of communication. He was involved with the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) for several years as a former President, Vice-President and Project Director.
Mr. Constantin participated in federal government consultations on policy developments and accessibility implementations, especially public proceedings with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). He was also on the Canadian Association of the Deaf’s committee for organizing and advocating for ASL-LSQ legal recognition in Canada in 2018-2019.

Mr. Constantin was the first Deaf university graduate in Lebanon, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology and a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science for Canadian Politics and Public Policy, with a minor in Law at Carleton University, Ottawa.

Director: Sarah Ève De Lisle

Sarah Ève De Lisle is an accessibility professional with more than 20 years’ experience. She perfected her skills by managing public transportation and infrastructure projects for private and public organizations. She also managed her own accessibility consulting business for 5 years.

Ms. De Lisle is currently the Manager of Accessibility and Regulations at Aéroports de Montréal (ADM). There, she set up a management system to maximize compliance with accessibility laws and regulations. 
She has provided her expertise on inclusive design to several companies. She was the accessibility coordinator for the planning and development of public transportation in the Greater Montreal area for close to 10 years, from 2008 to 2013 and 2018 to 2022.Since 2021, Ms. De Lisle has been a member of two Accessibility Standards Canada technical committees.

These committees focused on emergency egress (February 2021) and built environment accessibility (July 2021). As a specialist in universal accessibility, she participates in symposiums, co design workshops and round tables with various associations in Ontario and Quebec. She was a participant in and writer for the TRANSED international conference on the mobility and transport of older adults and people with disabilities in Hong Kong (2010) and New Delhi (2012). For many years, she took care of her brother who has muscular dystrophy. She became aware of daily systemic barriers, which led her to a bachelor’s degree in environmental design (products, architecture and areas) from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Since university, her projects have focused on improving accessibility for all.

Director: Maureen Haan

Maureen Haan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work. This organization helps persons with disabilities to overcome obstacles with getting a job and also helps bosses to become leaders in hiring and keeping employees with disabilities.

Ms. Haan speaks American Sign Language and she has a lot of professional and volunteer experience. From 2001 to 2012, she was the Executive Director of Silent Voice, an organization that has programs and services for deaf adults, children and their families in American Sign Language.

Ms. Haan defends the rights of persons with disabilities and has been a member of many groups and committees. She is a board member for the Canadian Association of Supported Employment and a board member for the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals. She is a member at the Canadian Standards Association, and a member of the Disability and Work Canada Conference committee.

Ms. Haan has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (York University).

Director: Joe McLaughlin

Joe McLaughlin started McLaughlin Educational Consulting Services and has been President of the Canadian Branch of the International Catholic Deaf Association since 2012. He uses American Sign Language. The research done by Mr. McLaughlin includes social justice (creating a more fair society), development of non-profit organizations and studies on deafness. 

He was the Dean of Deaf Studies and Special Services at Ohlone College in Freemont, California, from 2004 to 2008. He is an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia. M. McLaughlin has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.) and a Masters of Arts in Education and Counselling Psychology (University of British Columbia). He also has a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration (Alliant International University, San Francisco, California).

Director: Sarah Anne Moore

Dr. Sarah Moore is an associate professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University. She also works with the Departments of Pediatrics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is an Affiliate Scientist in Pediatric Rehabilitation at IWK Health and a member of Dalhousie University’s Wheelchair Research Team.

Dr. Moore’s current research focuses on understanding and solving health challenges faced by children and youth with disabilities. She holds a PhD in Experimental Medicine, specializing in pediatrics, from the University of British Columbia. She also holds a Master of Applied Health Sciences, specializing in pediatric exercise medicine, from Brock University in Ontario.

Dr. Moore directs the ParaPLAY Hub at Dalhousie University. She has authored or co-authored over 60 peer reviewed papers and have shared her work at over 100 conferences and public events. Her work is often featured in print and digital media. Collaborating with youth with lived experience of disability, Dr. Moore has also established a Youth Advisory Panel, which is co-led by 2 teens experiencing disability. Much of the research and knowledge sharing activities that Dr. Moore and her trainees engage in is guided by this Panel.

For the past 20 years, Dr. Moore has taught courses in exercise science, rehabilitation, health promotion, therapeutic recreation, nursing, and medicine at various institutions across Canada. She has also coached several adapted and parasports including wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, powerchair soccer, therapeutic horseback riding, and others.

Dr. Moore has received many honours and awards for her research, teaching, and community service. She is a member of several boards, including Easter Seals Nova Scotia and the North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine. Dr. Moore also sits on Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Director: Mojgan Yazdani-Seysan

Mojgan Yazdani-Seysan has over 15 years of work experience in the coordination and management of not-for-profit organizations. Through this experience she gained valuable experience in strategic planning, organizational management, and driving impactful change. Over her career, she has worked closely with the disability community. She has fostered collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders including government agencies, community organizations, and businesses. Together, they promote accessibility initiatives and ensure comprehensive engagement in the decision-making process.

Mrs. Yazdani-Seysan is the executive director of Centre Action since 2021. In this role she supports and advises the board of directors, develops operational plans, identifies partnerships, oversees programs and services while maintaining financial health, and managing HR policies and practices.
She previously worked at AVATIL, from 2011 to 2021, where she managed 3 residences for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She ensured their safety, accessibility, and conformity, while collaborating with government funding partners.

She holds a D.E.S.S. in Human Resources from McGill University, in Montréal, and a Master of Health Science (Quebec Comparative Evaluation: General Master of Health Sciences) from Isfahan University in Iran. She had a private practice as a family health professional practitioner in Tehran, Iran, from 1996 to 2002.