Considering accessibility in the design of products, systems, environments, and facilities is key to ensuring equity for all Canadians. Removing barriers to accessibility makes products easier to use for people with disabilities. Plus, many accessibility features benefit those who do not have a disability by creating more usable and customizable design. More than one in five (22%) Canadians aged 15 and over, an estimated 6.2 million people, have one or more disabilities1. With this in mind, removing accessibility barriers is not only beneficial, but it makes good business sense to increase access for all customers, including those with disabilities.
The CSA/ASC B651, Accessible design for the built environment standard, is a revision of a previously existing standard. It contains requirements for making buildings and other facilities accessible to individuals with physical, sensory, and/or cognitive disabilities.
CSA/ASC B651 addresses the design aspects of physical spaces and the elements within them to remove barriers to access. The new edition of the standard was developed by the CSA Group Accessibility for the Built Environment Technical Subcommittee, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Accessibility, and funded by Accessibility Standards Canada.
The updates to CSA/ASC B651 include the following major changes:
• updated dimensions based on current data from anthropometric research;
• notes to assist in the interpretation of the standard’s requirements;
• a detailed explanation of luminance (colour) contrast;
• revised accessibility guidance for the application of luminance (colour) contrast;
• revised guidance for tactile direction indicator positioning;
• updated guidance on addressing functional and cognitive barriers;
• revised guidance for controls for power-assisted doors;
• additional guidance for the minimum platform size of platform lifts that form part of an accessible path of travel;
• updated recommendations for water bottle filling stations; and
• revised guidance for water fountain controls
Users should understand that the requirements contained in this Standard are minimum levels. The most recent version is from 2023, which can be accessed using the website link. Be aware that these standards may differ from the provincial requirements in the BC Building Code.
