Hey you!
One thing about me is that I swear like a sailor. I kind of try not to, but I think it may just be part of my molecular make-up. At some point I’m sure it won’t faze you, but I’m hoping we’re not there yet and the title caught your attention.
Because this is an important post that we all need to pay attention to.
Back in November, Accessibility Standards Canada released Draft: A Model Standard for the Built Environment – Accessibility which is open for public review and comments until Saturday, January 7th at 11:59 PM. Yes, I fully realize I could have shared this information almost two months ago…but who doesn’t like working under a little pressure?!?!! Brain, activate Deadline Mode.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how this Standard will jive with the Building Code and if/when it will be a legislative requirement. If you know these details, reach out to us and I’ll update the post.
Per Accessibility Standards Canada, “the principle of “Nothing without us” is at the core of everything [they] do. This means that [they] include people with disabilities in every step of [their] work. As a result, [the] technical committee is composed of over 50% of persons with disabilities. [They] lean on the knowledge and lived experience of people with disabilities and other experts. [They] believe this leads to better results for all Canadians.”
Long story short, please submit your feedback to the public review by January 7th, and remember what the wise Dr. Seuss once said “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to get better. It’s not!”. I shared my ‘why’ for caring in a previous post, Beyond the Codes: Accessibility and Inclusivity.
Below is further information from the original email I received. You can also stay on top of updates from Accessibility Standards Canada by registering for their newsletter here.
Dear Stakeholders,
It is my great pleasure to invite you to join us for a public review of a new accessibility standard!
This public review will be your first opportunity to provide feedback on our draft model standard for the built environment – accessibility. A second opportunity will be provided at a later date before the standard is published.
As part of this public review, our technical committee welcomes your initial feedback. Input from Canadians is vital to the development of accessibility standards that remove and prevent barriers.
As you know well, the principle of “Nothing without us” is at the core of everything we do. This means that we include people with disabilities in every step of our work. As a result, our technical committee is composed of over 50% of persons with disabilities. We lean on the knowledge and lived experience of people with disabilities and other experts. We believe this leads to better results for all Canadians.
There are common areas where people with disabilities may encounter barriers in the built environment. This standard differs in many ways from other standards. It focusses on equity-based requirements that go beyond minimum technical requirements.
The built environment has many elements. To ensure a fulsome document, Accessibility Standards Canada has made the decision to draft it in two phases. The first phase of the public review will run until Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 23:59 (EST).
This public review of the draft standard covers the following topics:
- exterior and interior paths of travel
- building entrances and access to storeys
- ramps and curb ramps
- elevators
- stairs
- doorways and doors including power door operators
- controls
- passenger loading zones and access aisles
- washrooms and universal washrooms including showers
- signs and wayfinding
- illumination
- assistive listening systems
- emergency notification systems
- fire protection and refuge
You can consult the draft standard on our website.
You are invited to provide your feedback on the draft standard using one of the following means:
- By completing the online form and submitting your feedback directly through our website
- By downloading the fillable form in a PDF or Word format and sending it to us by email, along with any related files
- By submitting your comments in text, audio, or video format
All the necessary instructions on how to send us your feedback can be found on our website. The Standards Team contact information is also provided should you need any assistance with this public review process or have any questions.
Please know that in the future second version of the standard, the technical committee will aim to make sure it serves as many persons with disabilities as possible.
During that second public review, the technical committee intends to:
- update and expand existing requirements
- examine the needs of persons from more disability communities, including persons who are neurodiverse and persons with environmental sensitivities
- develop parking requirements
- add diagrams
- include information to help readers understand how the Standard removes and prevents barriers in the built environment for everyone, including persons with disabilities
We are proud of what our technical committee members have accomplished. Through them and with your feedback, we are contributing to a more inclusive and barrier-free Canada.
We welcome your expertise and look forward to receiving your feedback!
Philip Rizcallah, P. Eng.
Chief Executive Officer
Accessibility Standards Canada
