Accessibility Standards Canada and the International Code Council sign agreement to increase accessibility in Canadian and American public buildings
Accessibility Standards Canada and the International Code Council signed an agreement today that will facilitate the sharing of best practices and information related to building accessibility. This collaboration aims to improve and coordinate accessibility requirements in building codes and standards between Canada and the United States.
This is the first international agreement for Accessibility Standards Canada. It is the beginning of harmonizing accessibility standards across North America and the world. Accessibility Standards Canada will ensure that the standards it develops better address the barriers faced by all Canadians by:
- reviewing existing international standards; and
- developing new Canadian accessibility standards.
The International Code Council is a global organization. It facilitates an open, transparent and democratic process for developing building safety codes and standards. These help ensure that buildings in communities around the world are:
- safe;
- resilient;
- affordable;
- accessible; and
- sustainable.
The agreement between the Code Council and Accessibility Standards Canada will do two things:
- Allow Accessibility Standards Canada to reference the Code Council’s standard for accessible and usable buildings and facilities; and,
- Provide the Code Council with access to Accessibility Standards Canada’s model standard for the built environment, when available.