Discussion Paper: Accessible Canada Roadmap

On this page

• List of abbreviations
• List of tables
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Why a Roadmap
• 3. The Accessible Canada Act - laying the foundations for a barrier-free Canada
• 4. Other entities involved in helping realize a barrier-free Canada
• 5. Core elements of the Roadmap
• 6. Discussion questions
• 7. How to provide your feedback
• Annex A: Background on the Accessible Canada Act
• Annex B: tables of the proposed themes, areas of action and 5-year goals

Alternate formats

1. Introduction

Advancing accessibility and disability inclusion are priorities for the Government of Canada. And all of society benefits when everyone can participate fully.

In 2019, the Government of Canada passed the landmark Accessible Canada Act (ACA) with the goal of advancing accessibility through the proactive identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility. The disability community's contributions and advocacy were instrumental in helping shape the ACA and continue to help advance accessibility across Canada. The ACA provides the Government of Canada a wide-ranging mandate to develop and implement regulations, policies, programs and initiatives to advance accessibility and inclusion.

Although the scope of the ACA is federal, in that it applies to a wide range of federally regulated entities (see Section 3), it also sets the aspirational goal of realizing a barrier-free Canada by 2040. This goal goes beyond the federal jurisdiction and requires collaborative action across the country. Advancing accessibility is everyone's responsibility.

As we reflect on the 5-year anniversary of the ACA coming into force, now is the right time to ignite a dialogue on how we can collectively strive towards achieving a barrier-free Canada by 2040.

As the focal point for the implementation of the ACA, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is well positioned to bring various accessibility stakeholders for a national discussion on a path forward - a roadmap - to guide our collective efforts into the future. While many accessibility initiatives are also being undertaken by provinces, territories, municipalities, civil society and disability organisations, a roadmap would help ensure that the outcome of our combined efforts is more than the sum of each individual contribution.

The purpose of this document is to seek your views on what a draft Accessible Canada Roadmap could look like. It presents a series of questions to help guide your thinking about various aspects of the draft Roadmap. These are summarized in Section 5.

Over the coming months, there will also be the opportunity to participate in virtual engagement sessions where we can continue the dialogue. ESDC is looking forward to your input!

2. Why a Roadmap

Advancements in accessibility are happening all around us. Other levels of government such as provinces, territories and municipalities are advancing accessibility through new policies and plans relevant to their realities. An increasing number of businesses and organizations are identifying and removing barriers to accessibility so they can be better employers of persons with disabilities and/or enrich the level of service they provide to their clients and customers. And of course, civil society, particularly disability organisations and communities, continue to lead advocacy towards an accessible Canada and to participate actively in advancing accessibility efforts.

That said, no one party or jurisdiction can do it alone. A barrier-free Canada requires a national vision for moving forward through coherent and complimentary efforts. It requires a national conversation, leveraging existing knowledge and expertise, identifying gaps, and setting nationally agreed-upon priorities and goals. This will help reduce duplication and efforts at cross-purposes, ignite partnerships and spark new meaningful actions and innovative collaborations that can get Canada closer to its goals.

The draft Accessible Canada Roadmap (the Roadmap) seeks to articulate a national vision to anchor and guide efforts by accessibility change agents.

The draft Roadmap set out in this document proposes over-arching themes, areas for action and accompanying 5-year goals. ESDC is also keen for stakeholders and partners to provide input on how to promote awareness of the Roadmap. Everyone who is involved in removing barriers to Canada should know about it, have access to it and/or apply it in their work.

After the launch of the final Roadmap, ESDC will publish a plan highlighting how the Department is working to meet the goals set out in the Roadmap.

3. The Accessible Canada Act - laying the foundations for a barrier-free Canada

The ACA supports the realization of a barrier-free Canada by requiring regulated entities to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in seven priority areas.

The ACA applies to all federally regulated entities, which includes federal departments and agencies, Crown corporations, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Armed Forces, Parliament and First Nations band councils. It also applies to private sector businesses that are regulated by the federal government, such as banks, transportation service providers that cross inter-provincial borders as well as broadcasting and telecommunication service providers.

The ACA establishes a framework, with regulatory responsibilities distributed between the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC), and ESDC. ESDC is responsible for making regulations in relation to federally regulated entities outside of the responsibilities of the CTA and the CRTC.

New roles and structures were established under the ACA. The Accessibility Commissioner, housed within the Canadian Human Rights Commission, is responsible for compliance and enforcement of ESDC regulations. The Chief Accessibility Officer, a special advisor to the Minister responsible for the ACA, reports on systemic and emerging accessibility issues and outcomes achieved under the ACA. Finally, Accessibility Standards Canada was created with the mandate to develop national accessibility standards that support the prevention, identification, and removal of barriers to accessibility in the seven priority areas. Annex A provides more detail on the ACA.

While these roles and structures are important, implementation of the ACA has not stopped there. Other key accomplishments by the federal government include:

4. Other entities involved in helping realize a barrier-free Canada

Creating a barrier-free Canada goes beyond federal jurisdiction. It is a shared responsibility among all Canadians. Each of us have unique roles based on who we are, what we do and where we live. Some have formal obligations due to laws, regulations or standards, while others contribute in meaningful ways through inclusive attitudes and actions. Ultimately, accessibility benefits everyone and is a responsibility we all share.

Even before the ACA came into force, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia already had accessibility legislation in place. Since 2019, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have passed accessibility legislation. Municipalities and organizations across Canada are similarly invested in advancing accessibility.

The disability community continues to play an instrumental role in helping advance accessibility in all jurisdictions across Canada. Its longstanding advocacy is a testament to driving change.

Figure 1 below, illustrates the different entities involved and describes the different roles each plays in advancing accessibility. These roles are interconnected in many ways, and different entities can even share the same role.

4.6 General public

All Canadians have an important role to play in improving accessibility and promoting a culture of inclusion. Individual Canadians can help identify barriers, reduce the stigma associated with disability and raise awareness of how a culture of inclusion benefits society.

Text version - Figure 1

• Federally regulated public sector
  • Support commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
  • Drive systemic change
  • Demonstrate leadership in advancing accessibility
• Disability community
  • Hold federal partners accountable
  • Assist governments and regulated entities in identifying barriers and solutions to accessibility
• Private sector
  • Drive action to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility
  • Foster innovation in advancing accessibility
• Other levels of government (including P/Ts and municipalities)
  • Drive systemic change
  • Demonstrate leadership in advancing accessibility within their own jurisdictions
• Indigenous peoples
  • Identify barriers to accessibility and culturally appropriate solutions
• General public
  • Develop awareness and accessibility confidence
  • Adopt an inclusive culture

5. Core elements of the Roadmap

As set out in Figure 2 below, the Roadmap is composed of four themes, each with its own areas of action and 5-year goals. The areas of action are intended to be straightforward and breakdown ongoing accessibility efforts into manageable pieces. The five-year goals are intended to help readers and users of the Roadmap see incremental progress towards the ultimate goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040. The areas of action and five-year goals bring transparency to the collective effort and can be adjusted over time as required.

The Roadmap is anchored in guiding principles and outcomes that are relevant to its objective of supporting a national vision for a barrier-free Canada

5.2 Outcomes

Four outcomes have been proposed in the draft Roadmap as follows:

• accessibility for everyone
• equal opportunities
• accessible by design
• inclusion

Text version - Figure 2

The Roadmap is supported by 5 guiding principles: "Nothing without us", Knowledge mobilization, Innovation, Collaboration and partnership, and Intersectionality. Under these principles are the 4 themes: Driving systemic changes, expanding the strength of the disability community, leveraging data and information, and driving inclusive culture.

Each of these themes will have areas of action and 5-year goals. Finally, the Roadmap has four outcomes, namely accessibility for everyone, equal opportunities, accessible by design, and inclusion.

Tables setting out the proposed themes, areas of action and 5-year goals in greater detail can be found in Annex A.

6. Discussion questions

Your feedback and perspectives on the draft Roadmap will inform the development of the final Roadmap. The following questions are designed to guide your feedback:

1. do the themes identified in the Roadmap reflect your lived experiences navigating accessibility barriers? What other accessibility themes are needed to realize the goal of a barrier-free Canada?
2. do the themes address the roles and actions required from different levels of government, partners and stakeholders to reach a barrier-free Canada? What are your suggestions for improving them?
3. the areas of action in the Roadmap serve as examples. What other areas of action should be included under each accessibility theme? Should any of them be removed?
4. how do you think the Roadmap can drive collective change? Do you have any suggestions on how to promote it and encourage buy-in?
5. do you have any other feedback on the Roadmap?

You can provide your feedback on the questions above and any other thoughts you would like to share on the Roadmap until January 8, 2025. Your input will help shape the final Roadmap.

7. How to provide your feedback

We invite you to submit your feedback though one of the following methods:

• online via the online engagement tool: It's anonymous. You won't need to sign up for an account or give any personal information. The questions are also available in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)
• by email at the following email address:
  • accessible.canada.directorate-direction.canada.accessible@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
• in American Sign Language or Langue des signes québécoise by video relay service:
  • please send an email to the above email address with the subject line "Sign language response"; we will contact you to set a date and time for you to provide your comments via a video call with interpretation
• by transcript: Contact us using any of the methods listed here. We will then arrange for you to speak to someone who will transcribe your input and submit it to us
• by mail to:
  • Accessible Canada Directorate
    Employment and Social Development Canada
    1st floor
    105 Hôtel-de-Ville Street
    Gatineau QC, J8X 4H7

Annex A: Background on the Accessible Canada Act

The ACA supports the realization of a barrier-free Canada by requiring regulated entities to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in seven priority areas:

• employment
• the built environment
• information and communication technologies (ICT)
• communication other than ICT
• the design and delivery of programs and services
• the procurement of goods, services and facilities, and
• transportation

The ACA applies to all federally regulated entities, which includes federal departments and agencies, Crown corporations, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Armed Forces, Parliament and First Nations band councils. It also applies to private sector businesses that are regulated by the federal government, such as banks, transportation service providers that cross inter-provincial borders as well as broadcasting and telecommunication service providers.

The ACA establishes a framework, with regulatory responsibilities distributed between the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC), and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The CTA and the CRTC make and enforce accessibility regulations in the passenger transportation sector and the broadcasting and telecommunications sector respectively. ESDC is responsible for making regulations in relation to all other federally regulated entities. Compliance and enforcement of regulations made by ESDC is the responsibility of the Accessibility Commissioner, a new position created by the ACA and housed within the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

The ACA also created the position of Chief Accessibility Officer, a special advisor to the Minister responsible for the ACA and who reports on systemic and emerging accessibility issues and outcomes achieved under the ACA.

In addition, the ACA also expanded the existing duties and functions of two other Government of Canada entities:

• the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which handles appeals of decisions made by the Accessibility Commissioner in relation to complaints regarding violations of regulations made by ESDC and
• the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board, which handles accessibility-related complaints from federal public servants and parliamentary employees

Finally, the ACA created Accessibility Standards Canada with the mandate to develop national accessibility standards that support the prevention, identification, and removal of barriers to accessibility in the seven priority areas, and to fund research to support standards development.

Annex B: tables of the proposed themes, areas of action and 5-year goals