Ottawa releases new accessibility standard for workplaces

‘It’s designed to provide organizations with the tools they need to remove barriers and to promote equity and inclusion in the workplace’

BY Jim Wilson 05 Dec. 2024

Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has published the CAN/ASC-1.1:2024 – Employment standard, a framework aimed at removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace.

“Employment was identified as a top priority for Canadians during consultations for the Accessible Canada Act and our 2020 public consultation. This standard is a direct response to that call. It’s designed to provide organizations with the tools they need to remove barriers and to promote equity and inclusion in the workplace,” said Dino Zuppa, acting chief executive officer, Accessibility Standards Canada.

The standard addresses organizational policies, systems, and leadership. It focuses on key aspects of the entire employment lifecycle, including:

recruitment
hiring
onboarding
retention
career development and promotion
performance management
redeployment
compensation
job exits

It aligns with Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities.

Recently, the Disability Inclusion Business Council (DIBC) also released its final report titled Bridging the Gap – Report on Disability Inclusion in Canadian Workplaces.

What is an effective accessibility strategy?

ASC’s document also details the key components for a successful employment accessibility strategy. According to the document, for the employment accessibility strategy to be successful, the organization should:

define and communicate the roles and responsibilities of all internal workplace parties required to support the inclusive and accessible employment system consistent with this Standard (refer to Clause 10.4 for further explanation of the inclusive and accessible employment system)
provide workplace parties with the necessary resources to effectively participate in establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the inclusive and accessible employment system. Such resources include, but are not limited to:
- the premises
- equipment
- communication tools
- work time; and
promote dialogue about inclusive employment issues among workplace parties, including persons with disabilities and lived experience, external experts, service providers, and program administrators, while respecting the worker’s right to privacy.

The development of the standard was led by ASC’s technical committee, which includes a majority of members who identify as persons with disabilities or as part of equity-deserving groups, according to the federal government

Accessibility Standards Canada’s standards are developed by technical committees of experts and individuals with lived experience, including at least 30% who are people with disabilities—currently exceeding 50%.

“With support from our technical committee members, a vast network of stakeholders, diverse disability organizations and communities and experts, we are building a future where accessibility is the cornerstone of our workplaces and communities. We’re helping to build a stronger economy and a society where everyone can truly thrive,” said Zuppa.

The standard is available for free here.

HR can bridge the gap when it comes to accessibility issues in the workplace, according to a previous report.