Level of preparedness of accessibility standards in Canada to address the needs of people with disabilities in heritage buildings—reconnaissance survey

Canada is making significant strides toward becoming a barrier-free nation by 2040. The CSA/ASC B651 standard outlines the minimum accessibility requirements in built environments. This study investigates the status of the CSA/ASC B651 in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities. A reconnaissance survey was conducted by participants with diverse abilities to identify barriers encountered when visiting heritage sites. While the standard has proven adequate in addressing most barriers encountered, the findings reveal that significant issues arise from the inconsistent application of the standard. The results illustrate the complexity involved in addressing the needs of those with disabilities. Vehicular access and passenger pickup areas represented 31% of barriers faced by participants with physical disabilities. Inaccessible exterior circulation represented 37% of barriers faced by people with hearing disabilities. Building interiors and interior circulations represented 44% and 36% of barriers faced by people with visual disabilities and intellectual/developmental disabilities, respectively.