Skip to content
 Call or VRS : 1 (888) 867-0053
Quick exit

Collection

The Accessible Canada Act

Filters

Resource type

Topic

Phase of consultation

Sector

Area of impact

Language

The Accessible Canada Act in Plain Language

Guidelines and best practices by Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance

Languages: English, French

This document is a summary of the Accessible Canada Act using plain language. The Parliament of Canada approved the Act in 2019. It is now the law.

The word "accessibility" can mean many things. It can mean that everyone can get the information they need and use it. It means everybody can get to spaces and places and use them. People with disabilities often face barriers when trying to get to or use things other people have no problems accessing.

The Act will help all people in Canada because getting to places will not be so hard. Finding and understanding information will get easier. The Act will make the country free of barriers by 2040.

The federal government will find and stop barriers in these areas:

  • Employment
  • Buildings and public places and spaces
  • Information and communication technologies
  • Communication (This includes some sign languages. This does not include broadcasting and telecommunications.)
  • Buying goods, services and facilities
  • Design and delivery of programs and services
  • Transportation

The government may add other areas to work on in the future.

Guidance on the Accessible Canada Regulations: Sample Accessibility Plan Template

Templates and forms by Employment and Social Development Canada

Languages: English, French

This PDF document created by Employment and Social Development Canada would be useful to anyone involved in creating an accessibility plan. Although it is not a template in the sense that a user would just fill in the sections, it does provide:

  • all the headings required
  • suggested sub-headings
  • the optional headings
  • advice on how to complete each section.

Additionally, for regulated organizations in the communications, transportation or broadcasting sectors, the template provides information on the additional sections that are required.

Large print, Braille, MP3 (audio), e-text and DAISY formats are available on demand by ordering online or by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you use a teletypewriter (TTY), you can call 1-800-926-9105.