Accessibility Standards Canada announced on December 3 the publication of the CAN-ASC-6.2 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems standard. This equity-based standard is the first National Standard of Canada focused specifically on accessible artificial intelligence (AI). Its release coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), highlighting Canada’s commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion.
AI is quickly becoming a key part of daily life. It supports customer service tools, hiring systems, and many of the apps Canadians use every day. Clear accessibility guidelines can help ensure barriers in AI are recognized and addressed before they impact users. This new standard is designed to help ensure that AI systems are accessible, inclusive, and fair from the start.
The CAN-ASC-6.2 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems standard aims to protect people from exclusion and ensure AI works for everyone. It can help organizations and developers:
- design AI systems that are accessible to people with disabilities,
- ensure fairness and prevent exclusion,
- establish processes so accessibility and equity remain central throughout the AI lifecycle,
- educate others on creating equitable and inclusive AI.
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. The standard was finalized after a full public review with input from Canadians of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The CAN-ASC-6.2 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems standard has been approved by the Standards Council of Canada as a National Standard of Canada. This approval confirms that the standard meets the Standards Council of Canada’s established requirements for standards development. It also means that it aligns with international best practices.
