The Accessible Canada Act defines disabilities as impairments or functional limitations that, when combined with barriers, prevent people from fully and equally participating in society.
There are many types of disabilities, including:
physical / mobility
sensory
intellectual / developmental
cognitive
learning
communication
mental health
Disabilities can be visible or invisible. You should not assume that someone has a disability or that they do not. Disabilities can be temporary or permanent. They can also be episodic, which means they change over time. People can be born with disabilities or develop disabilities when they get sick or injured.
About barriers
Barriers are things that prevent people with disabilities from fully and equally participating in society. The Accessible Canada Act focuses on barriers in seven areas. Please use the following headings when writing your accessibility plan:
employment
the built environment
information and communication technologies
(c.1) communication, other than information and communication technologies
the procurement of goods, services and facilities
the design and delivery of programs and services
transportation
Many barriers that affect people with disabilities also affect other people. Everyone benefits when things are more accessible. For example:
Ramps help people who use wheelchairs. They also help people pushing baby strollers or luggage.
Simple and clear language helps people with intellectual disabilities. It also helps people who are learning new languages or subjects.
Captions on television help Deaf people. They also help people watching television in loud places like airports.
Examples of barriers
Employment
This includes things like job interviews, training and performance evaluations. Here are examples of barriers in this area:
job postings that are not formatted for assistive technologies like screen readers
assuming that someone cannot do certain kinds of work because of their disability
Built environment (physical spaces)
This includes spaces people use like buildings and national parks. Here are examples of barriers in this area:
buildings that do not have ramps or elevators
fire alarms that do not have visual warnings like flashing lights
Communication
This includes the way people give, receive and understand information. People communicate in different ways, including through speech, writing, sign language, pictures, body language and communication assistants
Many Deaf people use sign language to communicate. The Accessible Canada Act recognizes American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (QSL) and Indigenous sign languages as the primary languages of Deaf people in Canada
Here are examples of barriers in this area:
complex or technical language that is hard to understand
not allowing people to use communication assistants or sign language interpreters
Information and communication technologies
This includes technologies that organizations use to communicate with employees and the public, broadcasting and telecommunications.
Technologies
This includes things like websites, emails, text messages and computer programs. Here are examples of barriers in this area:
websites and electronic documents that are not formatted for assistive technologies like screen readers
videos and virtual meetings that do not have captions
Broadcasting
This includes radio and television. Here are examples of barriers in this area:
Procurement (buying and renting things and places)
This includes buying and renting goods, services and spaces. Here are examples of barriers in this area:
buying or renting buildings that are not wheelchair accessible
buying or renting computer programs that cannot be used with assistive technologies like screen readers
Programs and services
This includes the way organizations design and deliver programs and services for employees and the public. Here are examples of barriers in this area:
documents that are not available in alternate formats like large print or braille
not having a policy on assisting people with disabilities who need help with things like filling out forms
Transportation
This includes travel between provinces or outside of Canada by plane, train, bus or ferry. It also includes vehicles used by organizations that are regulated by the federal government (examples: Canada Post, television stations). Here are examples of barriers in this area:
planes and trains that are not wheelchair accessible