Accessibility for All: A Report from the CSCE President’s Task Force on Accessibility

The UN High Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which Canada is a signatory, focuses on the right to a full and complete life in the community supported by accessible infrastructure yet the role of the civil engineering profession in supporting this right has been largely undefined. The CSCE formed its President’s Task Force on Accessibility and has been active in trying to advance accessibility as a foundation for all civil infrastructure planning and design. Discussions held at CSCE 2018 and 2019 Annual Conferences generated many ideas and much support. While many engineers recognize their role in outdoor infrastructure, most leave the building envelope and interior design to architects. This paper summarizes the current situation with regards to civil infrastructure, successes and gaps, highlights the consideration engineers should include in planning and design, and also the advocacy role that civil engineers can and must play in the planning, design and operation of civil infrastructure, such as Universal Design concepts, updated standards and codes, and small design changes that can result in big improvements in daily life for many. All of this is consistent with the Canadian Engineer’s Iron Ring obligation to society. Some of the recent work of the President’s Task Force will be summarized. Accessibility in civil infrastructure need not be too complex, and is not too expensive. It is time to embrace it fully as professionals.