A barrier-free Canada

More than six million people in Canada have a disability. Many face barriers when accessing services, going to school, or finding employment.

The Parliament adopted the Accessible Canada Act in 2019 to remove and prevent these barriers. The goal of the Act is to create a Canada without barriers by 2040. The Act applies to the federal government and organizations regulated by the federal government.

The Act takes a new approach to accessibility. Instead of waiting for people with disabilities to ask for barriers to be removed, organizations must start finding, removing and preventing barriers now. It also requires them to develop and publish an accessibility plan in consultation with persons with disabilities.

Accessibility is about inclusion. When everyone can participate freely and fully in all aspects of life in Canada, everyone benefits.