Our members
MAIN GOALS - GENERAL ACTIVITIES - FIELD OF EXPERTISES
Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) aims to contribute to a barrier-free Canada by 2040 through the development of accessibility standards, the advancement of barrier-focused research, and the dissemination of best practices. Its mandate aligns closely with global efforts to advance decarbonization, resilience, and inclusivity in the built environment.
As Canada’s only federal standards development organization dedicated exclusively to accessibility, ASC seeks to ensure that climate-resilient buildings are also inclusive and accessible, particularly for persons with disabilities—representing 27% of Canada’s population and an increasing share due to demographic aging. ASC brings a unique and essential accessibility lens to the global sustainable buildings agenda, ensuring that no one is left behind in the climate transition.
ASC also aims to contribute to international collaboration by working with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities, and international partners to harmonize standards and co-develop inclusive solutions. Through its inclusive governance model—mandatorily led by persons with disabilities—ASC seeks to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within standards development and policy-making processes globally.
ACTIVITY RELATED TO LOW GHG AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND RESILIENT BUILDINGS
ASC supports low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient buildings by developing and advancing accessibility standards and research that integrate inclusion into sustainable building policies and practices. With more than ten standards and over twenty research projects related to the built environment completed or underway, ASC contributes to forward-looking building frameworks that support long-term resilience and low-carbon transitions.
ASC’s work increases awareness and uptake of inclusive building policies, directly supporting international objectives related to resilient, people-centered, and future-proofed construction. By embedding accessibility into climate-resilient design, ASC helps ensure that decarbonized buildings remain functional, safe, and usable for all populations during both normal operations and climate-related disruptions.
Through partnerships with governments, Indigenous communities, and international bodies, ASC contributes to the development of inclusive decarbonization roadmaps grounded in co-design and accessibility. Its leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion within standards development also provides systemic insights into how private sector transitions can address social and accessibility-related barriers alongside climate goals.
As part of its activities, ASC actively contributes technical expertise, shares research findings, supports and hosts knowledge-exchange events, and participates in collaborative platforms to promote accessible, low-carbon, and climate-resilient building practices at national and international levels.
