Accessibility Standards Canada has announced the publication of CAN/ASC-2.8:2025 – Accessible-Ready Housing, a new equity-based standard designed to promote adaptable and accessible housing. The standard aims to ensure that homes are designed for adaptability, and ready to be accessible.
The standard provides practical accessible-ready design requirements – making it easier to meet people’s needs and reduce barriers over time. It covers everything from entrances, kitchens, bathrooms, and stairs, to parking, and emergency features. It helps to prevent barriers before they exist by building flexible features into the design of homes. For instance:
- reinforced walls for future lifts or grab bars
- clear doorways and paths of travel for mobility devices
- reachable or easily modified operating controls, like thermostats
Accessible-ready housing allows people to adapt their homes to changing needs – whether it’s aging in place or accommodating a disability. Designing with accessibility from the start leads to smarter, more cost-effective housing and solutions.
CAN/ASC 2.8, Accessible-Ready Housing has been approved as a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). This recognition means that the standard meets SCC’s rigorous standards development requirements. This includes a full public review and alignment with international best practices.
The standard was developed by an Accessibility Standards Canada technical committee. The committee is made up primarily of people with disabilities and members of equity-deserving groups. This reflects the organization’s equity-based approach and its commitment to developing accessibility standards that create meaningful, lasting change for Canadians.
